GUIDE ON RINGWORM CONDITIONS,TREATMENT, SYMPTOMS AND CAUSES

Do you suffer from Ringworm? You are not alone. Large numbers of people worldwide suffer from this disturbing infection and are constantly searching for ringworm treatment solutions on a daily basis.

The purpose of this article is to sort through the bewildering amount of information out there and present it in a way that is easy and manageable to understand. We also aim to provide you with a complete and informative guide - to help you easily and quickly identify the different types of ringworm and the effects it has on your body.

Ringworm is a common skin complaint among two thirds of the world’s population, especially among children. Although the name might be misleading, early belief was that the infection may have something to do with the worm. This is far from the case, it's actually a fungus infection known as (dermatophytes) that affects various parts of the body. The ringworm or fungi is found in the outer layer of the skin on the body, or under the hair or nails. Ringworm is more likely to occur if you sweat a lot, or have any minor injuries to your skin, scalp or nails.

The route of infection can be from any domestic animal such as the dog or cat, and the majority of farm animals. It can be caught from the animal directly, or by coming into contact with anything the animal may have rubbed itself with. We can even be infected by humans through contact. Sharing the same hair brush, wearing the same cap and sharing the same clothes are all major contributors to spreading this infection among humans.

The appearance and symptoms of ringworm vary according to the parts of the body that is affected. Recognising these symptoms in the early stages can enable you to take appropriate action to avert this unpleasant condition from spreading. Below we take a look at the different types of ringworm and what to look out for and its treatment.

There are various types of ringworm that affects different parts of the body; we need to identify this in order to administer the proper course of treatment. This stubborn or unpleasant condition should never upset you whilst there are ways of curing it. There are numerous and wide-ranging treatments available, which are extremely effective. Treatment can range from antifungal creams, ointments and oral medication at one end of the scale, through to complementary treatment and simple home remedies. The treatment however will depend upon the nature of the ringworm and the particular part of the body it affects.

What is Scalp ringworm? 

Scalp ringworm is a very common fungal infection among children worldwide. It mostly affects children between 3 to 14 years of age, although it can occasionally appear in adults. The infection affects the scalp and hair deep into it's roots and can occur in several different forms.

Most commonly symptoms to look for are:

• Dandruff-like white scales that appear on the scalp which usually results in flaking.

• Small swollen infected bumps and loss of hair.

• It can also produce small, scaly, and red to brown patches on the scalp.

Because the scalp ringworm infection is deep down in the hair roots, a medication by mouth usually shows best results to cure it. The oral anti-fungal medication (griseofulvin) can be taken daily with fatty foods such as milk, yogurt or ice cream. A special shampoo can be used. Although adding about 10 drops of pure manuka oil to ordinary shampoo and massaging well into the wet hair shows best results. A popular home remedy known as sea salt is known to work wonders, when applied to the affected areas and left for about thirty minutes. The sea salt absorbs the moisture which in turn makes the effected patch dry.

What is body ringworm (tinea corporis) infection?

This skin infection is characterized by its distinctive ring-like patch with a prominent edge. The most common areas of infection are the trunk. As this type of ringworm spreads, the centre of the patch often clears to leave normal skin. It occurs in all ages, but is seen more frequently in children. It is more common in warmer climates.

Symptoms to look out for may include:

• Red, circular ring with raised edges, which may sometimes have vesicles.

• The middle of the ring will become less red as it grows and spreads.

• Severe itching of the affected area

Ringworm of the body is not as severe as other types of ringworm infections, and often responds well to "self-treatment" with anti-fungal drugs in the form of skin creams, lotions, or ointments. However, for a more serious infection, an anti-fungal drug in tablet form (usually griseofulvin) may be necessary. Treatment should last for at least six weeks to ensure complete eradication of the fungus.

What is athlete’s foot?

This common condition occurs mostly in adolescents and adult males. It is less frequent in young children. The infection thrives in warm and moist conditions. To lower the risk from catching the infection it is advisable to wear footwear such as flip-flops in communal changing places such as swimming pools. Always dry the feet well after swimming or bathing. Avoid sharing towels, or wearing socks or shoes belonging to others.

Symptoms of athlete's foot may include:

• Sever itching and burning of the skin between the toes, especially the fourth and fifth toes.

• Scaling or peeling of the skin, which may turn white and soggy.

• Itchy red rash on the soles of the feet, which can lead to the skin cracking or bleeding.

• Pus-filled blisters on the feet, resulting from a bacterial infection.

Many anti-fungal creams are available for this type of infection, often combined with mild antiseptic and a mild steroid to reduce itching. Natural remedies like garlic juice and tea tree oil have been known to help. A natural supplement known as aceium has proving to be very effective at healing this condition. In resistant cases, it may be worth taking an anti-fungal by mouth, such as fluconazole.

Nail Ringworm (tinea unguium) or Onychomycosis

With this type of infection, the nails thicken, the ends break in a ragged margin and the nail may detach itself slightly from the nail bed. This condition more often affects the toenails than the fingernails. This more often occurs in adults and adolescents rather than young children.

Symptoms of nail ringworm may include:

• Thickening of the ends of the nails.

• The nails become discoloured by turning white or yellow.

• The nails become brittle and the ends break in a ragged margin.

The nails are the most difficult of all the infections to treat, because they are slow growing. If only a few nails are affected, the most appropriate treatment is with an anti-fungal lacquer containing, tioconazole or amorolfine, which should be used for at least three months. There are oral anti-fungal medications such as terbinafine, also taken for at least three months and griseofulvin which should be taken for at least six months. Even with treatment recurrence is common and the nails may remain thickened, yellow and unsightly to look at.

What is Jock Itch (tinea cruris) or groin ringworm?

This type of infection produces a reddened, itchy area spreading from the genitals outwards over the inside of the thigh. This form of tinea is more common in males and occurs more often during warm weather conditions. It is very rare in females.

Symptoms of jock itch may include:

• Red, ring-like patches appearing in the groin area.

• Itching and pain in the groin area
• Does not usually involve the scrotum.
• Having, peeling, or cracking skin.

It's very important in keeping the area clean and dry. Wear loose clothing so the air can get into the affected area as much as posible. There are many anti-fungal creams and sprays that show good results in clearing this infection. Lamisil powder in spray form is a very effective treatment in curing this type of infection. Aceium is also a very popular treatment for this condition. It comes combined with both capsule form, and a topical spray to relieve itch.

Creams and nail lacquers are very unlikely to cause any side effects in ringworm treatment apart from stinging caused by skin sensitivity. Anti-fungal tablets are effective but may have significant side effects, especially inflammation of the liver.

This is increasingly becoming a popular option in the treatment of skin problems. Humans have been using this type of treatment for medicinal purposes since the age of time many of these therapies generally attempt to boost the body's defences to fight off skin infections. Many of these therapies are very effective, but they are not always well regulated, unlike conventional medicines. However one such product that is manufactured under strict guidelines and regulated by F.D.A standards is Aceium. This product is proving very powerful and effective at abolishing all types of skin fungus, and comes with money back guarantee should it fail.

Always consult a registered practitioner or inform your doctor, before beginning any course of complementary therapy. Although these treatments are natural and quite safe, they can react or be dangerous if taken along with conventional medicines.