Ringworm

Introduction – Everyday parents flock to available resources to find treatment for that unmistakable “ring” that gives indication their child has been infected with ringworm. The term “ringworm” refers to fungal infections that are on the surface of the skin. It was formerly believed that that the infection was caused by a worm, which it is not, but the term stuck with the infection anyway. Only a portion of these fungi produces round spots. On the other hand, many round spots are not associated with fungus infections at all. A physical examination of the affected skin, evaluation of skin scrapings under the microscope, and culture tests can help doctors make the appropriate distinctions. A proper diagnosis and accurate ringworm information is essential to successful treatment.

Ringworm is a common fungal infection of the skin. Fungi are tiny plants that survive by eating plant or animal material. The ringworm fungi feed on keratin found in the outer layer of skin, hair, and nails. These fungi thrive best on skin that is moist, hot, and lacks exposure to light. When this fungal infection is found on the feet, it is called athlete’s foot; when it is found in the groin, it is called jock itch; and when it is found on the body, it is called ringworm.

Types of Ringworm

The medical term for ringworm is “tinea.” The term tinea is the Latin name for a growing worm that is where the term ringworm evolved from. Researchers add other words to indicate where the fungus is located. Tinea capitis, for instance, refers to ringworm of the scalp, tinea corporis refers to fungus of the body, tinea pedis refers to fungus of the feet, and so on. Sometimes, the diagnosis of ringworm is obvious from its location and appearance. Otherwise, skin scrapings for microscopic examination and a culture of the affected skin can establish the diagnosis of tinea or other causes of infection.

• Tinea Barbae – Face and Neck
• Tinea Capitis – Scalp
• Tinea Corporis – Body
• Tinea Cruris – Groin and Thighs (Jock Itch)
• Tinea Faciei – Similar to Tinea Barbae but predominantly in bearded areas.
• Tinea Manus – Hands, Palms and Between Fingers
• Tinea Pedis – Feet (Athlete’s Foot)
• Tinea Unguium: Fingernails/Toenails

The world is full of yeasts, molds, and fungi, however only a few cause problems associated with the skin. These agents are called the dermatophytes, which means, “skin fungi.” Skin fungi can only thrive on the dead layer of keratin protein on top of the skin. These skin conditions rarely invade deeper into the body and cannot live on mucous membranes, such as those in the mouth or vagina.

Some fungi live only on human skin, hair, or nails. Others live on animals and rarely cause human infections. While other fungi thrive in the soil. It is often difficult or in some cases, impossible to identify the source of a particular person’s skin fungus.

Heat and moisture help fungi thrive and grow, which makes them more common in folds of the skin such as those in the groin or between the toes. This also accounts for the reputation of these fungus infections being transmitted through showers, locker rooms, and swimming pools. This reputation is exaggerated since many people with “jock itch” or “athlete’s foot” are neither jocks nor athletes.

Ringworm Symptoms

Ringworm is a contagious fungal infection of the skin that has nothing to do with worms. It can be itchy, but is usually not painful or dangerous.

The classic ringworm rash begins as a dry, raised, round patch, which may be slightly red. The patch may also be somewhat itchy. As it grows, the center of the patch clears, leaving a ring-like appearance. Not all children display this central clearing. In fact, there is wide variability in the way ringworm can appear from person to person.

The incubation period is unknown for most of these agents, however ringworm of the scalp is usually seen 10 to 14 days after contact, and ringworm of the body is seen four to 10 days after initial contact.

If your child has developed ringworm on their torso, they will have a rash of one or several red rings, usually ranging from the size of a dime to the size of a quarter, on his chest, stomach, thighs, or back. They are usually crusty or scaly on the outside and smooth in the center, thus giving the visual affect of a ring. As the fungus grows the rings get larger. When the fungus affects the scalp it usually appears as dandruff or bald spots. The rings can be dry and crusty, or moist and filled with pus. It’s easy to confuse ringworm of the scalp with a much more common condition called cradle cap. If you are uncertain what your child’s condition is, consult your health care provider.

Ringworm Statistics

There are several different types of ringworm, some of which are better known as Athlete’s Foot and Jock Itch. All are related to the fungal infection, Tinea. While the infection may have the same root cause, different issues such as sensitivity of affect areas, may apply to differences in ingredients used to fight the infection. Ringworm of the Scalp or Tinea Capitis is experienced by roughly 7% of the population of the United States, though it is equally common throughout the rest of the world. Tinea Capitis tends to most easily affect children ages 4 – 15. Individuals with diabetes, cancer or other conditions that weaken the immune system are also at elevated risk for all forms of Tinea infections which are common to about 30% of the US population.

Ringworm Prevention

Preventing Ringworm is difficult as it resides naturally in dirt and moist, warm environments. The most active form of prevention is simply good hygiene – showering regularly, using clean, fresh towels (don’t share), and drying your body completely. Ringworm is commonly associated with pets – cats and dogs and can be transmitted to humans. Typically, if you do have a pet that contracts ringworm – there is a good chance someone in your household will become infected. However, it is appropriate to note that only about 3-4% of human ringworm cases are contracted from pets.

As hard a parent may try, it is difficult to protect your baby from ringworm, but there are a few things you can do to keep it from spreading further. If your baby is infected, alert friends and family so they can see whether they are affected and seek a ringworm remedy to treat their families. Also check your pets for indications of ringworm. An infection on your pets will be much the same. Look for small, bald flaky patches. If any indications of ringworm are found, talk to your veterinarian for a proper pet ringworm remedy.

One of the most affective forms of ringworm remedy would be in prevention itself. Do not permit an infected child to share pillows, hairbrushes, combs, hats, or towels. These items should be washed thoroughly with a disinfecting soap or simply just throw them away.

If your child is in an environment where they may be in scalp-to-scalp or torso-to-torso contact with other children, it may be in the best interest of others to keep your child home or isolated from such environments until the ringworm infection clears up.

There are other measures and practices that can be implemented to reinforce ringworm prevention.

• Avoid contact with a known infected person. If contact cannot be avoided, wash your hands carefully with soap and water.
• Avoid sharing brushes and combs with anyone infected with ringworm
• Avoid wearing hats or using head-rests where fungus may be present
• Avoid walking barefoot on damp locker room floors
• Avoid contact with infected animals. Dogs are believed to carry ringworm less frequently than cats.

Conventional wisdom holds that minimizing sweat and moisture can help prevent fungal infections. Common recommendations along these lines are for men to wear boxer shorts, for women to avoid panty hose, and so forth. One thing is certain, white socks, often recommended for athlete’s foot are really not necessary.

Ringworm Treatment

1. Begin treatment as early as possible when first noticing signs of infection
2. Avoid scratching the area – better to rub gently with a clean cloth to ease itching.
3. Wash the affected area regularly, keep it clean and dry.

Using Ringworm No More you should begin to see improvement within several days to a week. Continue to use for one to two weeks after visible symptoms are gone as the fungus may still be present. Ringworm No More is a certified 100% organic topical treatment specially formulated by field biologist Dr. Peter Klapper. Topical treatments are absorbed into the bloodstream so it is important to use only the highest quality natural ingredients – free from chemicals and toxins from pesticides, herbicides and pollution or inadequately tested synthetics.

You might accompany or follow treatment with a body cleansing program.

a. Avoid coffee, tea, sugar, white flour products, canned foods and spicy dishes
b. Add fruit and vegatables to your diet.
c. Forces of Nature’s Fungal Cleanse for body-wide strengthening of your immune system.

Ringworm of the scalp can be more difficult and may require a more lengthy use of a ringworm remedy.

Cradle Cap

Cradle cap is a harmless scalp condition and is most common in newborns. Your baby can have a mild case of flaky, dry skin that looks like dandruff, or a more severe case marked by thick, oily, yellowish, scaling, or crusting patches. Cradle cap usually appears anytime between two weeks to three months after birth and usually clears up on its own after several months. Cradle cap tends not to be a problem after a baby is about 6 or 7 months old.

Cradle cap is a form of seborrheic dermatitis, named after the oil-producing sebaceous glands, a skin condition in which the oil glands are stimulated by adult hormones. The glands produce too much oil, which turns into oily patches and then dries and flakes off. Many experts think the extra hormones that a mother produces and passes to her child during childbirth cause the oil glands to act up. When the hormones in your baby’s body level out after the early months, the condition will go away.

Ringworm No More is for children five years and older. For younger children, an affective way to remove the scales is to rub mild vegetable or olive oil into your baby’s scalp a couple of times a week, let it sit for about 15 minutes, then gently comb out the flakes. Then wash your child’s hair with plain water or a gentle baby shampoo. Some doctors recommend leaving baby shampoo on your child’s head for about 20 minutes or as long as your baby will permit you to and massaging the scalp with a soft toothbrush. Cradle cap will eventually go away on its own, but consult a pediatrician if the condition persists, worsens, or spreads. Your health care provider may prescribe a medicated shampoo or cortisone cream.

Anytime you notice an unusual skin rash on an infant, talk with your doctor.

Up to 30 percent of the population has one of these infections at any given time. To become infected with ringworm, you have to be exposed to it and you have to be susceptible. Some people are more resistant than others. Those with eczema or various other skin conditions tend to get ringworm more easily because the protective barrier of the skin’s outer layer is weakened by the existing condition. Children are more susceptible before puberty. Boys tend to get it more easily than girls. It is believed that some people are genetically predisposed and can get it easily throughout life. Children primarily get it on the scalp (this is uncommon for adults); adults experience it on the trunk, neck, extremities and skin folds.

Concluding Notes:

Ringworm prevention is not easy and it cannot be completely avoided. Though it is also not extremely common. Fungus is present in almost all areas of our environment. Soil, animals, carpeting, shoes, people, and a whole host of fungal sources are present in our everyday lives. Avoiding exposure is certainly the best measure to ringworm prevention. Because these fungi thrive best on skin that is moist, hot, and hidden from the light, dressing to keep the skin cool, dry, and light can also help prevent this infection.

Ringworm is often diagnosed by the history and physical examination and rapid response to treatment. The diagnosis can be confirmed by looking at skin scrapings under the microscope, where the fungus is visible. Also, ringworm lesions do not glow under ultraviolet light.

When fungus is found in the nails or on the scalp, the infection is much more difficult to eliminate and makes ringworm prevention all the more difficult as well. Prolonged treatment is usually necessary. Scalp ringworm is a major cause of hair loss, and should be treated aggressively.

If you think your pet may be involved, contact your veterinarian to get up-to-date information on the best treatment for animals.