ringworm to who it is common ringworm at what age
What Is Ringworm?
Ringworm is a type of fungal skin infection. Fungi (the plural of fungus) are microscopic establish-like organisms that thrive in damp, warm environments. They're usually not dangerous, but sometimes tin cause disease. When they infect the skin, they crusade mild but annoying rashes. Fungal skin infections are as well known as tinea infections.
When fungus grows in the area of the groin, upper thighs, and buttocks, it is called jock itch. When it grows on the anxiety, it is chosen athlete'due south foot.
But when fungus grows anywhere else on the body, it's known as ringworm. Its medical name is tinea capitis when information technology's on the scalp, and tinea corporis when it's on the rest of the torso. On the nails it is known as onychomycosis.
What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Ringworm?
Ringworm on the pare starts as a red, scaly patch or bump. Over time, it may await like one or more rings with raised, bumpy, scaly borders (the center is often articulate). This band blueprint gave ringworm its name, but not every infected person has it. The pare may flake, peel, or crack, and it tin can crawling, sting, burn, or feel uncomfortable.
Ringworm on the scalp may kickoff as a pocket-size sore that looks like a pimple before condign patchy, flaky, or scaly. These flakes may look like dandruff. It can make some hair fall out or break into stubble, leaving a bald spot. Information technology also tin brand the scalp bloated, tender, and red.
Sometimes, information technology causes a pus-filled mass known as a kerion, which can be dislocated with impetigo or cellulitis (bacterial infections). When the scalp is infected, information technology tin cause swollen lymph nodes at the back of the head or neck.
Ringworm on the nails may bear upon one or more nails on the hands or feet. The nails may become thick, white or yellow, and breakable.
What Causes Ringworm?
Ringworm is acquired by fungi that normally alive on the skin, hair, and nails called dermatophytes. When the surroundings they live in gets warm and moist, they grow out of command and start to crusade symptoms.
Is Ringworm Contagious?
Aye. Ringworm can spread:
- from one person to some other by skin-to-skin contact, especially in warm, damp environments
- to other areas of the body if a person touches the affected area so touches other torso parts, such as the easily
- from animals to people
How Practice People Get Ringworm?
Besides spreading from person to person, ringworm tin come from pets or other animals (usually cats, dogs, or rodents). It thrives in warm, moist environments such equally public showers, locker rooms, or pool areas and tin can spread when people are in close concrete contact. That's why it'due south common in people who play contact sports such as wrestling. It can also be passed on objects similar combs, brushes, hats, towels, or wear.
Minor peel injuries (such as scratches), too much exposure to heat and humidity, and some health conditions (such as diabetes, obesity, or immune system problems) tin can make a person more than likely to develop it.
How Is Ringworm Diagnosed?
A doctor can frequently diagnose ringworm just past looking at information technology and request questions nearly the symptoms and the kid's lifestyle. Sometimes the doc will scrape off a small sample of the flaky infected pare to look at nether a microscope or to examination in a laboratory.
How Is Ringworm Treated?
Using over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal creams, sprays, or powders may solve a mild infection. More serious infections may need prescription medicine, either topical (put on skin) or in pill/syrup form.
Ringworm on the nails or scalp usually is treated with medicine taken by mouth for 1 to 3 months. An antifungal shampoo prescribed past the medico can help prevent the spread to other people.
Your kid should apply the medicine as long as is recommended, even if the rash seems to be getting better. If not, the infection can come up back and spread to other parts of the body.
To aid heal the skin, it'southward of import to proceed the affected surface area make clean and dry. Your child should:
- Wash and then dry the area with a clean towel. (A dissever clean towel should exist used for the rest of the body.)
- Use the antifungal cream, powder, or spray every bit directed on the label.
- Change vesture every day.
- Treat whatever other fungal infections, such as athlete'due south human foot.
How Long Does Ringworm Last?
Most mild cases of ringworm normally clear up in 2 to 4 weeks. But treatment might be needed for up to 3 months if the infection is more serious, or affects the nails or the scalp.
Can Ringworm Be Prevented?
Ringworm can often be prevented. To avoid information technology, kids and teens should:
- Keep their skin clean and dry, past washing daily and drying completely, particularly after showering, pond, and sweaty activities.
- Employ make clean towels and avoid sharing clothing, towels, combs, brushes, and hats.
- Wash sports gear and uniforms as often as possible and don't share them.
- Avoid tight-fitting vesture.
- Change clothing every day.
- Wash easily well with lather and water after playing with pets.
- Treat any other fungal infections, such as athlete'due south foot.
Date reviewed: September 2019
Source: https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/fungal-ringworm.html
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