Ringworm is a fungal infection of the skin in humans and domestic animals such as sheep and cattle. Fungi are organisms that survive by eating plant or animal material. Those that cause parasitic infection (dermatophytes) feed on
keratinKeratins are a family of fibrous structural proteins; tough and insoluble, they form the hard but un-mineralized structures found in reptiles, birds, amphibians, and mammals...
, the material found in the outer layer of skin, hair, and nails. These fungi thrive best on skin that is warm and moist.
This condition has been prevalent since before 1906, at which time ringworm was treated with compounds of mercury.
Ringworm is a fungal infection of the skin in humans and domestic animals such as sheep and cattle. Fungi are organisms that survive by eating plant or animal material. Those that cause parasitic infection (dermatophytes) feed on
keratinKeratins are a family of fibrous structural proteins; tough and insoluble, they form the hard but un-mineralized structures found in reptiles, birds, amphibians, and mammals...
, the material found in the outer layer of skin, hair, and nails. These fungi thrive best on skin that is warm and moist.
This condition has been prevalent since before 1906, at which time ringworm was treated with compounds of mercury. Hairy areas of skin were considered too difficult to treat, so the scalp was treated with x-rays and followed up with antiparasitic medication .
It is estimated that in current times, up to twenty percent of the population is infected by ringworm or one of the other dermatophytoses. It is especially common among people who play sports, wrestling in particular; wrestlers with ringworm may be disqualified.
Misdiagnosis and treatment of ringworm with a
topical steroidTopical steroids are the topical forms of corticosteroids. Topical steroids are the most commonly prescribed topical medications for the treatment of rash, eczema, and dermatitis. Topical steroids have antiinflammatory properties, and are classified based on their vasoconstriction abilities. ...
can result in
tinea incognitoTinea incognito is a fungal infection of the skin caused by the presence of a topical immunosuppressive agent. The usual agent is a topical corticosteroid . As the skin fungal infection has lost some of the characteristic features due to suppression of inflammation, it may have a poorly defined...
, a condition where ringworm fungus will grow without typical features like a distinctive raised border.
Prevention
Fungi thrive in moist, warm areas, such as locker rooms, tanning beds, swimming pools and in
skin foldSkin folds are areas of skin where it folds. Many skin folds are distinct, heritable anatomical features, and may be used for identification of animal species, while others are non-specific and may be produced either by individual development of an organism or by arbitrary application of force to...
s. The fungi may be present without any symptoms.
Advice often given to prevent ringworm includes:
- Avoidance of sharing clothing, sports equipment, towels, or sheets.
- Washing clothes in hot water with fungicidal soap after suspected exposure to ringworm.
- Avoidance of walking barefoot, wearing of appropriate protective shoes to the beach and flip-flops (thongs) in locker rooms.
- After being exposed to places where the potential of being infected is great , one should wash with an antibacterial and anti-fungal soap or one that contains tea tree oil
Tea tree oil or melaleuca oil is a clear to very pale golden hydrophobic essential oil with a fresh camphoraceous odor. It is taken from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia which is native to the northeast coast of New South Wales, Australia...
, which contains terpinen-4-olTerpinen-4-ol is a terpene with a molecular weight of 154.249.It is considered the primary active ingredient of tea tree oil. It is also the compound of highest concentration in the essential oil of Nutmeg....
.
- Avoid touching pets with bald spots as they are often carriers of the fungus.
Diagnosis in pets
To determine if your pet has ringworm, it can be as simple as observing the circular bare patches on the skin. But, to truly know if it is ringworm, your vet can do 1 of 3 tests.
Woods Test- This is simply a black light with a magnifying lens. About 50% of the ringworm fungus will show up as fluorescent under the black light.
Microscopic test- Your vet will take a hair from around the infected area and place it in a special solution and view it under the microscope. This is effective for about 40%-70% of the infections.
Culture Test- The most effective, yet longest, way to determine if there is ringworm in your pet is to have a vet collect scales from the area and have it cultured.
Treatment
Antifungal treatmentAn antifungal drug is a medication used to treat fungal infections such as athlete's foot, ringworm, candidiasis , serious systemic infections such as cryptococcal meningitis, and others...
s include topical agents such as
MiconazoleMiconazole is an imidazole antifungal agent, developed by Janssen Pharmaceutica, and commonly applied topically or mucus membranes to cure fungal infections. It works by inhibiting the synthesis of ergosterol, a critical component of fungal cell membranes...
,
TerbinafineTerbinafine hydrochloride is a synthetic allylamine antifungal. It is highly lipophilic in nature and tends to accumulate in skin, nails, and fatty tissues...
,
ClotrimazoleClotrimazole is an antifungal medication commonly used in the treatment of fungal infections of both humans and animals such as vaginal yeast infections, oral thrush, and ringworm...
,
KetoconazoleKetoconazole is a synthetic antifungal drug used to prevent and treat skin and fungal infections, especially in immunocompromised patients such as those with AIDS...
, or
TolnaftateTolnaftate is a synthetic over-the-counter anti-fungal agent. It may come as a cream, powder, spray, or liquid aerosol, and is used to treat jock itch, athlete's foot and ringworm. It is sold under several brand names, most notably Tinactin and Odor Eaters...
applied twice daily until symptoms resolve (usually within two weeks ), however if constantly touched it can leave a dark patch of skin where it had been. In more severe cases or where there is scalp ringworm, systemic treatment with oral medications may be given.
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