Treatment Of Ringworm?
The name ringworm is likely to conjure up images of worms in your skin … But in reality, it is anything but a worm. It is actually a fungal infection which can affect both people and animals. It got its name from one of its common appearances – which is a red ring-like rash on the skin that looks like a worm curled up.
Ringworms resemble donuts in the sense that the red rash is wrapped around seemingly healthy skin in the middle. Usually, the borders of the rash are raised. Ringworm can affect most if not all parts of the body from the scalp to the toes. On the scalp, it may begin as a small pimple which grows and grows. Eventually, rashes similar to the one described earlier may appear on the scalp. Scalp ringworm usually causes temporary baldness in the infected area, which makes it easier to spot the rash. The hair generally grows back once the ringworm is treated. The manifestation of ringworm in the feet is a condition popularly known as athlete’s foot. This particular infection does not have the typical rash and is quite easy to cure using over the counter creams.
It must be noted that ringworm is highly contagious and can be spread easily via objects the infected person has come in contact with such brushes, towels, beddings, socks and other items. It can also be spread through direct skin contact. This applies to both animals and humans. In fact, even the soil can be a medium for transmission of the fungus. The incubation period of ringworm is about 10 days and sometimes, it is best to have a physician examine the rashes in order to get the most effective medicine that is specific to your infection.
For most infections, cream is an effective treatment. It is applied two times a day to the infected area. To ensure that the cream stays on the rash, it is recommended to cover the rash with a bandage. The treatment must be continued for as long as the doctor recommended. This must be done even if the rash appears to have disappeared. Then to prevent further infection, all the beddings and household items the infected person has come in contact with, must be disinfected with bleach and hot water if possible. This applies to all items the uncovered rash has come in contact with. On the same note, it is important to ensure that the rash does not come in contact with other people or pets as well.
Scratching is by far the most efficient way to infect other people or other parts of your body. So don’t do it! Since ringworm is usually characterized by an extreme itch, it is all too easy to absent mindedly scratch the rash and touch another area of the body. With treatment, the itch will gradually subside. But until then, you must exercise a lot of control and restraint to avoid scratching and spreading the fungus further. Usually, the most itch time is between the 3rd and 5th day after the rash appears. After this time, the itchiness will slowly disappear along with the other manifestations.
Anthony Bruno
