Ringworm
Ringworm is also called Dermatophytosis is a clinical condition caused by fungal infection of the skin in humans. The most common term for the infection, "ringworm", is a misnomer, since the condition is caused by fungi of several different species and not by parasitic worms.
The fungi that cause parasitic infection, collectively dermatophytes, feed on keratin, the material found in the outer layer of skin, hair, and nails. These fungi thrive on warm and moist skin, but may also survive directly on the outsides of hair shafts or in their interiors.
The medical term for ringworm is tinea. The condition is further named for the site of the body where the infection occurs.
Some types of ringworm infection include:
The medical term for ringworm is tinea. The condition is further named for the site of the body where the infection occurs.
Some types of ringworm infection include:
- Tinea barbae: ringworm of the bearded area of the face and neck, with swelling and marked crusting, often with itching, sometimes causes the hair to break off. In the days when men went to the barber daily for a shave, tinea barbae was called barber's itch.
- Tinea capitis: Ringworm of the scalp commonly affects children, mostly in late childhood or adolescence. This condition may spread in schools. Tinea capitis appears as scalp scaling that is associated with bald spots (in contrast to seborrhea or dandruff, for instance, which do not cause hair loss).
- Tinea corporis: When fungus affects the skin of the body, it often produces the round spots of classic ringworm. Sometimes, these spots have an "active" outer border as they slowly grow and advance. It is important to distinguish this rash from other even more common rashes, such as nummular eczema. This condition, and others, may appear similar to ringworm, but they are not due to a fungal infection and require different treatment.
- On the chest, stomach, arms, legs, or back, with edges that are red and scaly or moist and crusted.
- The rash also may have small bumps that look like blisters.
- The center of the rash may be clear, giving it a ring-shaped appearance, or there may be a cluster of red bumps.
- The rash may also form large, round patches.
- Tinea cruris: Tinea of the groin ("jock itch") tends to have a reddish-brown color and to extend from the folds of the groin down onto one or both thighs. Other conditions that can mimic tinea cruris include yeast infections, psoriasis, and intertrigo, a chafing rash which results from the skin rubbing against the skin.
Symptoms include rashes:
- On the groin, skin folds, inner thighs, or buttocks. The rash usually does not occur on the scrotum or penis.
- With edges that are very distinct and may be scaly or have bumps that look like blisters.
- That may have a red-brown center.
- Jock itch and athlete's foot frequently occur at the same time.
- Tinea faciei: ringworm on the face except in the area of the beard. On the face, ringworm is rarely ring-shaped. Characteristically, it causes red, scaly patches with indistinct edges:
- On the face, the ears, or both.
- With a border that may not be very distinct.
- That may get worse after being in the sun.
- Tinea manus: ringworm involving the hands, particularly the palms and the spaces between the fingers. It typically causes thickening (hyperkeratosis) of these areas, often on only one hand. Tinea manus is a common companion of tinea pedis (ringworm of the feet). It is also called tinea manuum.
Symptoms include rashes:
- On the palm that may be mistaken for eczema.
- On the palm that is thickened, dry, and scaly, similar to athlete's foot, while skin between the fingers may be moist and have open sores.
- On the back of the hand that is red and scaly, with edges that have bumps that look like blisters.
- Tinea pedis: Athlete's foot may cause scaling and inflammation in the toe webs, especially the one between the fourth and fifth toes. Another common form of tinea pedis produces a thickening or scaling of the skin on the heels and soles. This is sometimes referred to as the "moccasin distribution." In still other cases, tinea causes blisters between the toes or on the sole. Aside from athlete's foot, tinea pedis is known as tinea of the foot or, more loosely, fungal infection of the feet. Tinea pedis is an extremely common skin disorder. It is the most common and perhaps the most persistent of the fungal (tinea) infections. It is rare before adolescence. It may occur in association with other fungal skin infections such as tinea cruris (jock itch).
Symptoms include:
- Cracks or blisters
- Redness, swelling, itching, or burning
- Scaly or peeling skin
- Bad smelling feet
- Thick, dark skin on the bottoms or sides of your feet
- Thick, abnormal toenails
- Tinea unguium: Finally, fungus can make the fingernails and, more often, the toenails yellow, thick, and crumbly. This is referred to as fungal nails or onychomycosis.
Symptoms include:
- Thickened nails
- Foul odor in the nail
- Dull color in nail, lack of the "usual shine"
- A separation of the nail from the nail bed (onycholysis)
- Dry, crumbly or brittle texture to nails
- Distortion in the shape of the nail
- Distortion in color of the nail, either a darker or lighter than normal
Ringworm is contagious and can be passed from person to person.
Ringworm occurs in people of all ages, but it is particularly common in children. It occurs most often in warm, moist climates. Ringworm is contagious and can be passed from person to person by contact with infected skin areas or by sharing combs and brushes, other personal care items, or clothing. It is also possible to become infected with ringworm after coming in contact with locker room or pool surfaces.
Pets may transmit the infection to humans.
It is common to have several areas of ringworm at once in different body areas.
Most ringworm infections cause a rash that may be peeling, cracking, scaling, itching, and red. Sometimes the rash forms blisters, especially on the feet.
Ringworm of the skin may be confused with other conditions with similar symptoms, such as eczema or psoriasis.
Ringworm occurs in people of all ages, but it is particularly common in children. It occurs most often in warm, moist climates. Ringworm is contagious and can be passed from person to person by contact with infected skin areas or by sharing combs and brushes, other personal care items, or clothing. It is also possible to become infected with ringworm after coming in contact with locker room or pool surfaces.
Pets may transmit the infection to humans.
It is common to have several areas of ringworm at once in different body areas.
Most ringworm infections cause a rash that may be peeling, cracking, scaling, itching, and red. Sometimes the rash forms blisters, especially on the feet.
Ringworm of the skin may be confused with other conditions with similar symptoms, such as eczema or psoriasis.
Cause Of Ringworm:
Ringworm infection is caused by a fungus. Fungi (plural of fungus) that cause ringworm live and spread on the outer layer of skin. Ringworm is not caused by a worm or other parasite.
Fungi are present everywhere in our environment, including on the human body. They thrive in warm, moist areas, such as locker rooms and swimming pools, and in skin folds. You can get ringworm of the skin by sharing contaminated towels, clothing, and sports equipment, and by direct contact with an infected person.
Ringworm of the skin (tinea corporis) is most commonly caused by the fungus Trichophyton rubrum, which spreads from one person to another. It can also be caused by Microsporum canis, which is spread by cats and dogs. This type is less common but causes a more severe infection.
People often get ringworm of the groin ("jock itch") by accidentally spreading athlete's foot fungus to their own groin area. People who have athlete's foot also commonly spread it to their hands (tinea manuum).
Some people are more likely to get fungal infections than others.
The tendency to get fungal skin infections or to have them return after treatment seems to run in families.
Homeopathic remedy for ringworm:
Homeopathy is based on the principle of ‘like curing like’. This means, the homeopath takes a bit of the plant material, deactivates it and infuses the patient’s body with small quantities of it. Popular homeopathy remedies for treating ringworm are:
Ringworm infection is caused by a fungus. Fungi (plural of fungus) that cause ringworm live and spread on the outer layer of skin. Ringworm is not caused by a worm or other parasite.
Fungi are present everywhere in our environment, including on the human body. They thrive in warm, moist areas, such as locker rooms and swimming pools, and in skin folds. You can get ringworm of the skin by sharing contaminated towels, clothing, and sports equipment, and by direct contact with an infected person.
Ringworm of the skin (tinea corporis) is most commonly caused by the fungus Trichophyton rubrum, which spreads from one person to another. It can also be caused by Microsporum canis, which is spread by cats and dogs. This type is less common but causes a more severe infection.
People often get ringworm of the groin ("jock itch") by accidentally spreading athlete's foot fungus to their own groin area. People who have athlete's foot also commonly spread it to their hands (tinea manuum).
Some people are more likely to get fungal infections than others.
The tendency to get fungal skin infections or to have them return after treatment seems to run in families.
Homeopathic remedy for ringworm:
Homeopathy is based on the principle of ‘like curing like’. This means, the homeopath takes a bit of the plant material, deactivates it and infuses the patient’s body with small quantities of it. Popular homeopathy remedies for treating ringworm are:
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- Other drugs include:
Bibliography:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dermatophytosis
http://www.healthline.com/health/ringworm
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/ss/slideshow-ringworm
http://hpathy.com/cause-symptoms-treatment/ring-worm/
http://veenaambewadikar.blogspot.in/2011/05/homoeopathic-treatment-of-fungal.html
http://www.ringworm-treatment.net/homeopathic-remedies-for-ringworm-treatment/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dermatophytosis
http://www.healthline.com/health/ringworm
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/ss/slideshow-ringworm
http://hpathy.com/cause-symptoms-treatment/ring-worm/
http://veenaambewadikar.blogspot.in/2011/05/homoeopathic-treatment-of-fungal.html
http://www.ringworm-treatment.net/homeopathic-remedies-for-ringworm-treatment/