Ringworm (Tinea Corporis): Condition information and pictures for adults - Overview. Tinea infections are commonly called ringworm because some may form a ring-like pattern on affected areas of the body. NHS Direct Wales - Encyclopaedia : Ringworm. Introduction. Ringworm is a common fungal infection that can cause a red or silvery ring- like rash on the skin. Ringworm commonly affects arms and legs, but it can appear almost anywhere on the body. Despite its name, ringworm doesn't have anything to do with worms. Ringworm is a common skin infection otherwise known as tinea. It is caused by a fungus. While there are multiple forms of ringworm. Talk to health experts and other people like you in WebMD's Communities. Ringworm is a common skin infection that is caused by a fungus. Trials of other drugs were not large enough to show differences between them. Ringworm (Tinea) - an easy to understand guide covering causes, diagnosis, symptoms, treatment and prevention plus additional in depth medical information. Ringworm of the skin can start as a small patch of itchy, red, or scaling skin. The rash can spread and cover a large area. Clothing that rubs the skin can irritate the rash. Sweat, heat, or moisture. Noonan responded: Have area seen. It is impossible to diagnose a rash without seeing it. How to Identify and Treat Ringworm. In most cases, ringworm starts as a flat and scaly patch of skin. Can ringworm come in a few large and small red bumps? Take this quiz to learn about ringworm symptoms and signs, and when you should call a doctor! Read more: Ringworm Quiz: Test your Medical IQ. VIEW PATIENT COMMENTS. Ringworm - Effective Treatments. Ringworm of the body is related to athlete's foot and may itch. Learn more on causes, symptoms, treatments of this easily spread fungal skin infection. Other similar fungal infections can affect the scalp, feet, groin and nails. These fungal infections, medically known as . However, they are contagious and easily spread. Tinea fungal infections. There are different types of tinea fungal infection, based on the affected area of the body: Ringworm usually looks like a round, red or silvery patch of skin that may be scaly, inflamed and itchy, but other fungal infections may present themselves slightly differently. Read more about the symptoms of ringworm and other tinea fungal infections. When to see a doctor. See your GP if you or your child has a fungal scalp infection, as it’s treated with antifungal tablets, which are only available on prescription. Symptoms of a fungal scalp infection include small patches of scaly scalp skin (which may be sore), patchy hair loss and itchiness. Other types of fungal infections (including ringworm) are generally treated with antifungal cream from the pharmacy, and you don't need to see a doctor unless it persists. However, pharmacists often prefer children to see a GP to confirm a diagnosis. What’s the cause? Fungal spores are passed between people through direct skin contact and by sharing objects such as towels, hairbrushes and bedding. Athlete’s foot is commonly spread in gym and swimming pool changing rooms. Pets, such as dogs and cats, can have ringworm, and you can catch it by stroking them. Read more about the causes of ringworm. Who is affected? It's estimated that 1. Although children are more likely to get this, people of all ages can be affected. Groin infections are more common in young men. Fungal scalp infections (tinea capitis) are most common in children who have not reached puberty, particularly African- Caribbean children and those who live in urban areas. Treatment. Most ringworm infections are mild and can be treated using a pharmacy antifungal cream. Scalp infections can be treated with antifungal tablets, sometimes combined with antifungal shampoo. If the skin is irritated or broken, it can lead to other bacterial infections, which may need treatment with antibiotics. Read more about how to treat fungal infections. Stopping it spreading. It's important to prevent the infection spreading. You should avoid sharing towels, bedding or clothes with someone with a fungal infection. If you think your pet has ringworm, take it to the vet. If your pet is treated quickly, you’ll be less likely to catch it. If your child has a fungal infection, they can go to school, but you should inform their teacher. In addition to treatment, your child should maintain a good level of personal hygiene to prevent the infection spreading. Read more about how to stop the spread of fungal infections.^^ Back to top. Symptoms. The symptoms of a tinea fungal infection depend on where the infection is. Ringworm (on the skin)The symptoms of ringworm include: a ring- like red or silvery rash on your skin – your skin will look red and irritated around the ring, but healthy insidescaly, itchy and inflamed skin. In more severe cases: the rings may multiply, grow in size and merge togetherthe rings may feel slightly raised and the skin underneath may be itchyblisters and pus- filled sores may form around the rings. The ring spreads outwards as it progresses. You can have one patch or several patches of ringworm, and in more serious cases, your skin may become raised and blistered. Face and neck ringworm. Ringworm on the face and neck may not appear ring- shaped, but may be itchy and swollen, and it can become dry and crusted. If you have a beard, you may notice patches of hair breaking away. Hand ringworm. Ringworm on the hand often causes the skin to become thicker on the palm and in between the fingers. It may affect one hand or both and normally only appears on one side. Fungal scalp infection (tinea capitis)The symptoms of a fungal scalp infection include: small patches of scaly skin on the scalp, which may be sore patchy hair loss an itchy scalp In more severe cases: small, pus- filled sores on the scalp crusting on the scalp bald patches (if your hair is affected) In very severe cases, a large inflamed sore called a kerion may form on your scalp. This can ooze pus, and you may also have a fever and swollen lymph glands. Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis)The main symptom of athlete’s foot is an itchy, dry, red and flaky rash, usually in the spaces between your toes. In more severe cases, you may have: cracked skin in the affected area blisters, which may ooze or crust swelling of the skin a burning or stinging sensation in your skin scaling patterns around your sole, between your toes and on the side of your foot Read more about athlete's foot. Jock itch (tinea cruris)The symptoms of jock itch include: red- brown sores, which may have blisters or pus- filled sores around the edge itchiness and redness around your groin area, such as your inner thighs and bottom (the genitals are not usually affected) scaly, flaky skin on your inner thighs Exercising, walking and wearing tight clothing or underwear can make the symptoms of a groin infection worse. Fungal nail infection (onychomycosis)The symptoms of a fungal nail infection include: a whitish thickening of the nail discolouration (the nail can turn white, black, yellow or green) the nail can become brittle and start to fall off the skin around the nail may be sore and irritated Read more about fungal nail infection. They thrive in heat and moisture, which helps them to grow and explains why they are often spread in swimming pool changing rooms and communal showers. The spores can be spread in four different ways: human- to- human contacthuman- to- animal contact – for example, by stroking an infected dog or cathuman- to- object contact – both animals and humans can leave traces of fungi spores on objects and surfaces, such as towels, clothing, bed linen, combs or brusheshuman- to- soil contact – less commonly, it can develop after lengthy exposure to infected soil. As an adult, you can become a carrier of a scalp infection without developing any symptoms. This is because your body has usually developed a defence against the infection by the time you reach adulthood. If you’re a carrier of a fungal infection, you can unknowingly pass the condition on to children, who may then go on to develop symptoms. Risk groups. You are more likely to develop a fungal infection if you: are very young or very oldare African- Caribbean (in the case of scalp infections)have type 1 diabetesare very overweight (obese)have a medical condition that weakens your immune system, such as HIV or AIDSare receiving medical treatment that weakens your immune system, such as chemotherapy or steroid tabletshave had fungal infections in the pasthave hardened arteries (atherosclerosis)have poor circulation (specifically, a condition called venous insufficiency, where the veins in your legs have trouble moving blood back to your heart)^^ Back to top. Diagnosis. Ringworm and other tinea fungal infections are usually easy to diagnose from their appearance and location. Fungal scalp infections. Your GP will usually be able to diagnose a scalp infection after examining your scalp. Knowing exactly which fungus is causing the infection is useful, because some antifungal medications are better at treating certain types. Your GP will take a small scraping of skin from your scalp to test in a laboratory. You may be given an antifungal medication before you receive your test results. If the tests show that a different antifungal medication would work better, you will be prescribed that instead. Ringworm and other fungal infections. Most fungal infections can be diagnosed by your GP after examining your skin and asking whether you have other related symptoms. Further tests will usually only be needed if your symptoms are severe or if they fail to respond to antifungal treatment. If this happens, your GP may take a small scraping of affected skin for analysis in a laboratory. Microscopic analysis will show if fungi are present and the specific type that is causing your infection.^^ Back to top. Treatment. Most tinea fungal infections, including ringworm, are easily treated by using antifungal creams, tablets or shampoo. You can also help to get rid of fungal infections and stop them from spreading by: washing areas of affected skin daily and drying thoroughly, paying particular attention to skin folds and between your toesin the case of a groin/foot infection, changing your underwear/socks daily, because fungi can persist in flakes of skinwith a scalp infection, not sharing combs, hairbrushes or hatswashing clothes, towels and bed linen frequentlywearing loose- fitting clothes, preferably made of cotton or other natural materials. Read more about preventing ringworm. Ringworm, groin infections and athlete’s foot. Most cases of ringworm, groin infections and athlete’s foot can be treated using an over- the- counter antifungal cream, gel or spray. There are lots of different types, so ask your pharmacist to help you choose the right one for you. You usually apply antifungal creams, gels and sprays daily to the affected areas of skin for two weeks. The cream, gel or spray should be applied over the rash and to one inch of skin beyond the edge of the rash. Read the manufacturer's instructions first. You may be advised to use the treatment for a further two weeks, to reduce the risk of re- infection. See your GP if your symptoms have not improved after two weeks of treatment, because you may need to take antifungal tablets. Both terbinafine and griseofulvin tablets can be used to treat ringworm infections, as well as another antifungal medicine called itraconazole (see below). Treat groin and feet together.
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