What Is It?
Ringworm, also called tinea, is a skin infection caused by fungi, microscopic organisms that are similar to yeast and molds. It does not have any relation to worms, but is called "ringworm" because the infection can produce ring-shaped patches on the skin that have red, wavy, wormlike edges.
Although ringworm can affect almost any area of the body, it favors places that are dark and moist, such as skin in the groin area, the spaces between the toes and the deep skin folds of obese people. People can catch ringworm in several different ways, including:
* Direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person
* Playing with, or caring for, an infected pet or farm animal
* Using an infected person's clothing, shoes or personal grooming items such as combs, brushes or towels
* Sharing an infected child's toys, especially stuffed toys
* Touching a contaminated surface — Some common high-risk surfaces include floors in bathrooms, showers and locker rooms; shower stalls; gym mats; and pool decks, especially at school or community pools. In general, any surface that is used by many different people can carry ringworm, especially if the surface is also wet or damp. Even contaminated carpets and couches can spread the infection.
Symptoms
Symptoms of ringworm vary, depending on the site of the infection:
* Ringworm of the scalp — Symptoms can include a diffuse, itchy, scaling of the scalp that resembles dandruff; itchy, scaly, round patches of hair loss on the scalp; black-dot ringworm, in which stubs of broken hairs form a dotted pattern on the scalp; or kerion, a thick, nodular patch of inflamed skin that may ooze pus.
* Barber's itch — Symptoms often include kerion and crusted skin on bBearded areas of the face and neck.
* Ringworm of the body — This infection causes itchy, red, scaly, round patches with a raised border. Individual patches are usually less than 5 centimeters (2 inches) in diameter, and may occur alone or in groups of three to four.
* Jock itch — Jock itch causes red, scaly patches that may itch or burn. These patches usually occur on the groin area and upper thigh, but not on the penis or scrotum.
* Athlete's foot — Athlete's foot produces areas of redness, scaling or cracked skin on the feet, especially between the toes. This skin may itch or burn, and the feet may have a strong odor.
Prevention
To help prevent tinea, try the following suggestions:
* Avoid sharing anyone else's clothing, shoes, towels or personal-grooming items (hairbrushes, combs, makeup brushes).
* If your child goes to sleepover parties, provide a sleeping bag, pillow and blanket from home.
* Bathe regularly and dry your skin thoroughly afterwards. Be especially careful to dry the area between your toes and under your breasts.
* Wear clean socks and underwear every day. When possible, choose absorbent cotton socks and underwear rather than synthetic fabrics. At the gym, keep an extra pair of socks in your locker to replace sweaty socks after a workout.
* Wear sandals, flip-flops, shower shoes or other protective footwear when you walk through locker rooms or shower rooms or near pools.
* If you care for a pet or farm animal that develops areas of hair loss or scaly patches, take the animal to a veterinarian for a checkup.
Treatment
If you have jock itch, athlete's foot or ringworm of the body, you can usually be treated with a nonprescription antifungal cream, lotion or powder. Your doctor can recommend the appropriate treatment for your condition. Some of the nonprescription medications available include terbinafine (Lamisil), tolnaftate (Tinactin), miconazole (Micatin and other brand names), clotrimazole (Lotrimin, Mycelex) and undecylenic acid (Desenex and other brand names). Be sure to follow the directions carefully when you apply the medication. If your symptoms do not improve significantly after you have used a nonprescription medicine for about two weeks, call your doctor. Your doctor may suggest a prescription antifungal medication that will cure the problem. For extremely stubborn infections, the antifungal medication may be taken by mouth rather than being applied to the skin.
If you have ringworm of the scalp or beard, your doctor may treat you with an oral antifungal medication, such as itraconazole (Sporanox) or griseofulvin (Grisactin and other brand names). You also will have to apply antifungal creams to your hair and scalp. Complete treatment can take up to two months.
