Ringworm Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Home Remedies & Pictures

Ringworm is a skin infection which is caused by the fungi which live on the dead cells of human skin such as hair and nails. Ringworm is also known as Tinea Infection. In this article, you will find causes, symptoms, treatment and how to get rid of ringworm through home remedies.

Most people think Ringworm is caused by the worms which are wrong they are caused by the fungus. This infection can infect both humans and animals.

What Is Ringworm

Ringworm is a fungus skin infection which grows on the upper layer of skin. It is caused by the mold which is kind of fungi that live on the dead cells of the body.

What does ringworm look like? It causes red, scaly and itchy patches on the skin, which after some time take a shape of a red circle or ring and that’s the reason it is called Ringworm.

Children under 15 years old are especially affected by ringworm. Its medical name is tinea corporis. It can be grown anywhere on the body and its name changes accordingly its occurrence position on the body.

Types of Ringworm

Ringworm can grow on any part of the body, there are several forms of ringworm and its name varies accordingly its growing position on the body.

Some of the common types are given below:

• Ringworm: Its medical name is Tinea corporis, it grows on the skin of the body.
• Athlete’s Foot: Its medical name is Tinea pedis and it grows on the soles of feet.
• Ringworm: Its name is the same as the first one, but its medical name is Tinea manuum and it grows on the soles of the hands.
• Jock Itch: Its medical name is Tinea cruris and it grows on the groin area of the body.
• Nail Infection: Its medical name is Tinea unguium or onychomycosis and it grows on the nails.

Ringworm Symptoms

There are several cases of ringworm, that’s why its symptoms vary with each case.

Some common types are briefly explained below:

Ringworm On The Skin

Ringworm on the skin starts as red round scaly chunk or bump, after some time it starts looking like rings with clear scaly borders. The Skin may peel, burn, sting flake and maybe feel uncomfortable.

Ringworm On The Scalp

Ringworm may start as small sore on the scalp and maybe it looks like a pimple before becoming flaky or scaly. These flakes may look like dandruff. It starts hair falling and leaves a bald spot. Maybe it makes swollen, red and tenders the scalp.

Ringworm On The Nails

Ringworm may affect nails on the hand or feet, due to which the nail becomes thick, brittle and yellowish.

Ringworm Causes

How do you get ringworm? Ringworm is a highly infectious fungal skin infection, it is caused by the parasitic fungi when they come in contact with the skin of human or animal, the organism starts to spread or multiply.

Anyone has a chance to get affected by ringworm, but this skin infection is most common in kids and people who have cats.

It can be contacted in the following way:

• Human-to-human
• Animal-to-human
• Object-to-human
• Soil-to-human
• Wearing tight clothing.
• A weakened immune system.

How To Get Rid Of Ringworm

Ringworm is a common disease and it can be treated. Early intervention is critical to prevent spreading the infection to others.

Some common ways to treat this disease are given below:

Apply A Topical Antifungal

Most of the time ringworm can be treated at home, no need to take any medical treatment. But if it’s spreading more then visit the local drugstore and get over-the-counter antifungal cream, lotion. Some medications include miconazole (Cruex), clotrimazole (Desenex) and terbinafine (Lamisil).

Let It Uncovered

It may seem good logically to keep it covered with bandages to prevent further spreading but covering it may slow down the healing process as it locks the moisture.

You should wear open and comfortable clothes to help in speeding the healing process and avoid spreading the infection to others.