Several factors can increase the risk of developing ringworm. First reported in India, it has spread widely in communities in South-East Asia and is now increasingly reported in the Middle East, Europe, Africa and the Americas. Prevalence of scalp infection among children in these areas may reach more than 25 % of school children under 10 (2).

What is ringworm?

Fungal infections are also known as ‘jock itch’, ‘tinea’, ‘tinea infections’, ‘dermatophyte infections’ or ‘dermatophytosis’. Ringworm is a fungal skin infection caused by parasites that live on dead skin tissue. Treatment with an antifungal cream usually works well. Ringworm is a skin infection caused by a fungus. While ringworm is usually not serious, it can lead to complications if left untreated or if the infection is severe. The type of medication and duration of treatment will depend on the location and severity of the infection.
Ringworm, a fungal infection, usually causes a ring-shaped rash. People with diabetes are at increased risk for fungal nail infections. Infections on the foot or between toes are common with nail infections. Try not to scratch the rash, as this may spread the fungus to other areas of the body. The most common symptom of ringworm is the emergence of a small area of infected skin that tends to spread outwards.

Home remedies for ringworm

In addition to medication, keeping the affected area clean and dry can help promote healing and prevent the spread of infection. Tinea pedis infections are often endemic in heavy industries and can result in loss of work and complications due to secondary infection. Tinea is one of the commonest dermatological conditions, accounting for a substantial proportion of skin disease in developing countries.
It is typically treated with antifungal medications applied directly to the skin, but oral medications may be necessary for severe or widespread infections. For example, corticosteroid creams can be important for treatment of many skin infections. Sometimes fungal skin infections and symptoms of ringworm look similar to other skin rashes, such as psoriasis, discoid eczema or granuloma annulare. Your healthcare provider can treat more widespread ringworm with oral antifungal medication. Globally, fungal skin infections are estimated to affect more than 650 million people at any time and of these, ringworm accounts for over half the cases (1). Ringworm, also known as tinea, is a common fungal infection of the skin.

• The rash may be scaly, dry, swollen or itchy.
• Your pregnancy care provider can discuss potential risks and benefits with you.
• More serious infections may require treatment for six to 12 weeks.
• You also need to take a prescribed oral antifungal medication.
• An antifungal medicine taken by mouth is sometimes prescribed if the ringworm infection is widespread or severe.

Is is necessary to contact a doctor for ringworm?

Many of these cases are resistant to the common antifungal medications, posing an increasing public health problem. Ask your provider about how you can keep ringworm from spreading betsomnia casino to other parts of your body and to other people. Ringworm can be unpleasant, but antifungal medications will help you get rid of the fungus that causes ringworm.
Ringworm is an itchy, contagious fungal infection that causes a ring-shaped pattern on your skin. They can look at the rash and recommend the best antifungal medicine. In some cases, incorrect treatment can worse the infection.
Since it can be confused with other types of rashes and skin conditions, diagnostic testing is recommended. The infection often looks like a circular, scaly rash. If required, they can often be cleared more quickly with treatment.

What does ringworm look like?

Clinicians should also become familiar emerging ringworm, including some that are antimicrobial-resistant. Clinicians can help reduce spread, impact, and new emergences through antimicrobial stewardship. There are also many potential causes for fingernail and toenail abnormalities. Onychomycosis may cause nails to become discolored, thick, fragile, or cracked.
They may scrape the area to look at the skin cells under a microscope, too. It can live on your skin, on surfaces and in soil. However, when their environment gets hot and damp, the fungi start growing uncontrollably.
So, it often looks like a ring that becomes gradually larger – hence the name ringworm. Preventing ringworm involves reducing the risk of exposure and transmission. This sample is then examined under a microscope or sent to a laboratory for fungal culture or molecular diagnosis. Ringworm is usually diagnosed based on its characteristic appearance and symptoms.

Care at Cleveland Clinic

Corticosteroid creams may help reduce inflammation, but they shouldn’t be used to treat ringworm. Over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal creams, gels or powders typically work well. You can get this infection anytime your skin comes into contact with the ringworm fungus on someone else’s skin. This common and contagious skin infection gets its name from the red, itchy, ring-shaped skin plaque (a type of scaly rash).

• While ringworm is usually not serious, it can lead to complications if left untreated or if the infection is severe.
• Antifungal creams and tablets are covered in more detail in the separate leaflet called Antifungal Medicines.
• While not life threatening, ringworm can be uncomfortable.
• Ringworm spreads easily through direct contact with an infected person, animal, or contaminated surface.
• In addition to medication, keeping the affected area clean and dry can help promote healing and prevent the spread of infection.
• Emerging strains of dermatophytes causing severe ringworm are a growing public health concern.

Health Care Providers

Your pregnancy care provider can discuss potential risks and benefits with you. Ringworm fungus won’t affect your pregnancy. You’re sure to have questions if you or your child develop ringworm. The fungus can live on towels, clothes, sheets and household surfaces for months. Scalp ringworm can lead to a painful inflammation called kerion. Ringworm will go away if you treat it appropriately.