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Ringworm: Treatment, symptoms, advice & help

About Ringworm

Ringworm or dermatophytosis is a superficial skin infections caused by dermatophytes a type of fungi.

Ringworm: Incidence, age and sex

Ringworm has an estimated global prevalence of 300 million. They are common in most adult people, with up to 20 percent of the population having one of these infections at any given moment.

Signs & symptoms of ringworm: Diagnosis

The fungi may be present without any symptoms. Clinical forms of cutaneous infection include tinea corporis (involvement of the body), tinea capitis (scalp involvement), tinea cruris (groin involvement), tinea pedis (involvement of the feet) and onychomycosis (nail involvement).Tinea corporis – The lesions are erythematous, annular and scaly, with a well – defined edge and often central clearing. Tinea cruris – Itchy erythematous plaques extend from the groin flexures on to the thighs. Tinea pedis (athlete’s foot) – An itchy rash between the toes, with peeling, fissuring and maceration. Nails become discoloured, thick, and even crumbled in onychomycosis

Diagnosis: In all cases of suspected dermatophyte infection, the diagnosis should be confirmed by skin scraping or nail clippings.

Causes and prevention of ringworm

The causative fungi belong to three genera (Microsporum, Trichophyton and Epidermophyton). They may originate from the soil, animals or be confined to human skin (anthropophilic). Fungi thrive in moist, warm areas, such as skin folds. Advice often given to prevent ringworm includes avoiding sharing clothing and towels, washing clothes in hot water with fungicidal soap after suspected exposure to ringworm ,avoiding walking barefoot and avoiding touching pets with bald spots as they are often carriers of the fungus.

Ringworm: Complications

The possible complications include secondary bacterial infections of the skin, side effects from medications and spread of ringworm to other areas

Ringworm: Treatment

Anti-fungal treatments include topical Miconazole, Terbinafine, Clotrimazole, Ketoconazole, or Tolnaftate applied twice daily until symptoms resolve - usually within one or two weeks. Topical treatments should then be continued for a further 7 days after resolution of visible symptoms to prevent recurrence In more severe cases or where there is scalp ringworm, systemic treatment with oral medications may be given. To prevent spreading the infection, lesions should not be touched, and good hygiene maintained with washing of hands and the body.

The ringworm (tinea corporis, tinea pedis, tinea capitis, athletes foot) information advice that you find here is written for the benefit of non-medical laypersons by a ingworm (tinea corporis, tinea pedis, tinea capitis, athletes foot) specialist who is part of a team of 100 practising UK consultants and GPs. The content is in keeping with UK guidelines and based on current best practice for the management and treatment of ringworm (tinea corporis, tinea pedis, tinea capitis, athletes foot).

Ringworm (Tinea Corporis, Tinea pedis, Tinea Capitis, Athletes Foot): Definition

Ringworm is a fungal infection affecting either the surface skin (tinea corporis), the feet (tinea pedis) or the scalp (tinea capitis). The fungus thrives on dead skin cells and therefore affects the surface layer of the skin. If untreated and with certain species of fungus, deeper infections can occur (kerion).

Ringworm (Tinea Corporis, Tinea pedis, Tinea Capitis, Athletes Foot): Incidence/Age/Sex

Most fungal infections affecting the scalp (tinea capitis) affect children. Adults produce grease (sebum) which discourages fungus from growing in the scalp. Fungal scalp infections are therefore exceedingly rare unless there is a more unusual fungal infection such as cat or ringworm. Tinea pedis is commoner in adolescents and adults. Males are more commonly affected than females. Tinea corporis is commoner in adults than in children.

Ringworm (Tinea Corporis, Tinea pedis, Tinea Capitis, Athletes Foot): Causes and Preventions

There are numerous different fungi which can cause fungal skin disease. Athlete’s foot is commonly caused by a fungus known as tinea rubrum. This often causes the typical ringworm appearances on the body (tinea corporis).

Tinea capitis is commonly caused by fungus acquired from domestic pets such as cats and dogs (known as microsporum canis).

Fungus is transmitted by spores which can remain dormant out with the human body and therefore can be transferred by communal changing facilities, or by direct skin contact. Tinea capitis (scalp ringworm) is usually caused by direct scalp contact in the school playground or by contact with an infected domestic pet.

Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) is caused by a fungus which thrives on heat and moisture. Inadequate drying of toe web spaces is one of the main reasons for fungus to become established.

Ringworm (Tinea Corporis, Tinea pedis, Tinea Capitis, Athletes Foot): Signs and Symptoms

Athlete’s foot commonly starts between the 4th and 5th toe web spaces with a dry scaly patch which then becomes soggy with subsequent splitting and cracking. It may then extend to other toe web spaces and occasionally involve the nail plate (see tinea unguium). If splits occur then there is local discomfort. Irritation is the other main symptom.

Ringworm affecting the body (tinea corporis) presents as a scaly ring-like lesion which tends to be itchy. This can occur at any site on the skin. Fungal infections may also occur in the groin where they are called tinea cruris. This is due to the warmth and moisture in this area which favours fungal growth.

When fungal disease affects the scalp (tinea capitis) a small scaly, slightly itchy red patch may develop within the hair bearing skin. This is then associated with a breaking off of the hair shaft resulting in a small bald patch. If untreated this may then extend over a larger area of the scalp or involve multiple areas.

Ringworm (Tinea Corporis, Tinea pedis, Tinea Capitis, Athletes Foot): Complications of Disorder

Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) if untreated may continue to extend over the feet and pose a potential infectious risk to other individuals. Broken down skin of the feet can allow deep-seated infections to occur (cellulitis) which may require hospital treatment.

If ringworm of the scalp (tinea capitis) is not effectively treated permanent scarring and loss of hair follicles may occur resulting in localized bald scarred patches.

There is no spread of fungal skin disease to internal organs of the body.

Ringworm (Tinea Corporis, Tinea pedis, Tinea Capitis, Athletes Foot): Tests

The diagnosis can be confirmed by taking scrapings from the surface of the skin and examining them under the microscope for fungal disease.

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