What is Ringworm and How Do Humans Get It?
Ringworm is a skin infection that is not caused by a worm, as its name suggests, but by a fungus.
The term ringworm refers to the red "ring" shape that is assumed by the rash.
This infection can be spread to people and animals.
Ringworms in humans take the form of a red round itchy rash which usually has a healthy looking skin in the middle while raised and crusty at the edges.
Ringworm can affect different parts of the body, including the scalp, feet and hands.
Ringworm found in the scalp appears like pimples that eventually become larger.
Like the usual ringworm found on other parts of the body, ringworm in the scalp appears like rings of rashes.
Ringworm infection in the scalp is usually associated with bald spots because it causes the hair to be brittle then breaks off.
Ringworms can also infect the feet.
This infection is commonly known as athlete's foot.
Unlike other ringworm infection, athlete's foot does not appear as red circular rashes but rather the skin looks dry and flaky.
Athlete's foot can easily be treated with over the counter anti-fungal creams.
Ringworm can be very contagious and can spread easily to other parts of the body.
It can be easily spread by scratching the infected part and by touching objects that has come in contact with an infected person or animal.
One must avoid scratching the ringworm spot because doing so can help spread the fungus easily.
Ringworm is known to be very itchy especially on the third to fifth day since its growth.
But with proper treatment, itching will subside after a few days.
There are various ways of contracting ringworm infection and this include direct contact with an infected person or animal and touching objects that have come in contact with infected person or animals.
Ringworm can also be transmitted via soil to person however this seldom happens.
It has an incubation period of ten days which means that the symptoms will show ten days after the exposure.
Ringworm infection must be properly diagnosed so that the right prescription is given by the doctor.
The most effective medication for ringworm is anti-fungal cream.
Apply the cream to the infected area twice daily or depending on the advice of the doctor then cover the area with band-aid or bandage.
Follow the prescription of the doctor on how many times the cream should be applied daily and until when it should be applied even after the rash has disappeared.
Beddings, fabrics, and other objects that have come in contact with the rash should be washed and cleaned.
Be very responsible also that the rash does not come in contact with other people or with animals as this will spread the fungus.
You should be diligent in keeping up with the treatment.
Continue applying the medications prescribed for the length of time given even after the rash has disappeared.
You should also change the bandage daily.
Ringworm can be easily treated if proper measures are followed.
The term ringworm refers to the red "ring" shape that is assumed by the rash.
This infection can be spread to people and animals.
Ringworms in humans take the form of a red round itchy rash which usually has a healthy looking skin in the middle while raised and crusty at the edges.
Ringworm can affect different parts of the body, including the scalp, feet and hands.
Ringworm found in the scalp appears like pimples that eventually become larger.
Like the usual ringworm found on other parts of the body, ringworm in the scalp appears like rings of rashes.
Ringworm infection in the scalp is usually associated with bald spots because it causes the hair to be brittle then breaks off.
Ringworms can also infect the feet.
This infection is commonly known as athlete's foot.
Unlike other ringworm infection, athlete's foot does not appear as red circular rashes but rather the skin looks dry and flaky.
Athlete's foot can easily be treated with over the counter anti-fungal creams.
Ringworm can be very contagious and can spread easily to other parts of the body.
It can be easily spread by scratching the infected part and by touching objects that has come in contact with an infected person or animal.
One must avoid scratching the ringworm spot because doing so can help spread the fungus easily.
Ringworm is known to be very itchy especially on the third to fifth day since its growth.
But with proper treatment, itching will subside after a few days.
There are various ways of contracting ringworm infection and this include direct contact with an infected person or animal and touching objects that have come in contact with infected person or animals.
Ringworm can also be transmitted via soil to person however this seldom happens.
It has an incubation period of ten days which means that the symptoms will show ten days after the exposure.
Ringworm infection must be properly diagnosed so that the right prescription is given by the doctor.
The most effective medication for ringworm is anti-fungal cream.
Apply the cream to the infected area twice daily or depending on the advice of the doctor then cover the area with band-aid or bandage.
Follow the prescription of the doctor on how many times the cream should be applied daily and until when it should be applied even after the rash has disappeared.
Beddings, fabrics, and other objects that have come in contact with the rash should be washed and cleaned.
Be very responsible also that the rash does not come in contact with other people or with animals as this will spread the fungus.
You should be diligent in keeping up with the treatment.
Continue applying the medications prescribed for the length of time given even after the rash has disappeared.
You should also change the bandage daily.
Ringworm can be easily treated if proper measures are followed.
