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.
- Ringworm is a fungal skin infection caused by parasites that live on dead skin tissue.
- The main symptom of ringworm is a rash.
- Although ringworm can go away by itself, it’s not common.
- Ringworm is typically treated with antifungal medications.
- If it’s not itchy and annoying, it’s very unlikely the ringworm is fungal.
- Several factors can increase the risk of developing ringworm.
Still, you should check with your healthcare provider before using over-the-counter antifungal creams or powders. The same fungi that cause ringworm can cause jock itch, athlete’s foot, and nail infections. People who have fungal toenail infections often have a fungal skin infection on the foot, especially between the toes. Ringworm, also called tinea, is a common skin infection caused by a group of fungi called dermatophytes.
Nail infections
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.
(It is not due to a worm as its name implies!) There are many types of fungal germs (fungi) and some can infect the skin, nails, and hair. Ringworm is typically treated with antifungal medications. A health-care provider may also take a skin scraping or nail clipping to confirm the diagnosis. The infection is caused by fungi, known as dermatophytes, that thrive on the skin, hair, and nails.
How does ringworm affect pregnancy?
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.
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.
Ringworm
Follow your healthcare provider’s treatment plan until the infection clears completely. Several nonprescription (over-the-counter) and prescription antifungal medications are available to treat ringworm. Your healthcare provider can diagnose ringworm by looking at your skin and assessing your symptoms. Over-the-counter and prescription treatments can stop the fungus from spreading to other parts of your body or to others. Ringworm is a common fungal infection.
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 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.
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).
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.
You may need to use an antifungal medicine every day for up to 4 weeks. This might be tablets, cream, gel or spray depending on where the rash is. The main symptom of ringworm is a rash. Diagnostic testing, appropriate prescribing, and patient education helps preserve the limited antifungal medication options. Antimicrobial-resistant ringworm is emerging and is a current public health concern. On examination, ringworm may be difficult to distinguish from other skin conditions, like psoriasis and eczema.
What does ringworm look like?
- Infections are difficult to treat, and some strains are antimicrobial-resistant.
- A boil (furuncle) is an infection of a hair follicle.
- There are also many potential causes for fingernail and toenail abnormalities.
- There is no evidence that any one cream is better than any other one.
- This is more common in people with diabetes or other conditions that weaken the immune system.
- Oral antifungal medications appear to be safe to take during pregnancy.
Your weekly dose of clear, trustworthy health advice – written to help you feel informed, confident and in control. Assess your symptoms online for free Browse discussions, ask questions, and share experiences across hundreds of health topics. A boil (furuncle) is an infection of a hair follicle.
Ringworm (tinea)
You might be surprised to learn that a fungus — and not a worm — causes ringworm. Let your child’s teachers know they have ringworm. Ringworm is caused by a type of fungi. It’s important to use it for the right amount of time, even if the rash has gone away. Speak to a pharmacist betsomnia casino first if you think you have ringworm.
Ringworm is often described by the site of the body affected. Ringworm is characterized by the part of the body affected. Infections are difficult to treat, and some strains are antimicrobial-resistant. Ringworm spreads easily through direct contact with an infected person, animal, or contaminated surface. Ringworm can appear on different parts of the body including the scalp, feet (athlete’s foot), and groin (jock itch).
Not all ringworm treatments are suitable for everyone. This would normally be used for no more than seven days and an antifungal cream might need to be used alone for a time afterwards. An antifungal cream can be bought from pharmacies over the counter (OTC) or prescribed. This leaflet just deals with ringworm of the skin (sometimes called tinea corporis).