Ringworm, despite its name having “worm” in it, is not really an infection caused by a worm. Ringworm is caused by a fungus that develops and lives on the epidermal layer of the skin. One of the key problems with ringworm is that it is highly contagious and is easily passed not only from human to human contact, but also from contact with animals. Contact with an infected person or animal is the most common way to contract the infection. It also has a ten day incubation period which allows it to spread from person to person without any visible signs of infection.
Contact with an infected person or animal is not the only way you can get ringworm. It can also be contracted by touching infected objects, such a clothing or blankets. Even coming into contact with infected soil can infect a person, though this is more likely to occur in animals than humans since they have more direct contact with the ground on a regular basis.
The visible signs of ringworm are a red rash on the skin that is circular in shape. The interior part of the red circular rash generally has normal looking skin. The outer edges are generally raised with a rather crusty look and feel to it. The round look of the rash is where ringworm derives it name. Not all ringworm infections have this look, however. Both athletes foot and jock itch are types of ringworm as well.
Jock itch, as the name implies, infects the skin around the groin area, which is generally moist. Jock itch also shows up as a red rash, but does not have any circular patterns to it. Athletes foot, probably the most common form of ringworm, infects the bottom of the feet as well as skin between the toes. It is generally dry and scaly. Another lesser know form of ringworm is ringworm of the hand. This is similar to athletes foot in appearance with the skin between the fingers being moist, often with open sores.
It’s not difficult to cure many types of ringworm. Often over-the-counter antl-fungal medications will clear up most ringworm without any problem. Some ringworm is more severe in nature, however, and often a doctor’s prescription is needed. In any event, the one thing you must not do is scratch your infection, no matter how much it itches. Scratching will spread the fungus to other parts of the body, and possibly to other people if hands are not thoroughly washed. Any clothing or other materials that may have come in contact with the fungus should be washed. Also, care must be taken when using public facilities such as showers or restrooms. Avoid contact with objects in a public setting. Also, try and keep your ringworm infection covered as much as possible. Even though the fungus likes moisture and covering increases moisture content on the skin, this is still better than risking additional spreading of the fungus through contact with objects and or people.
There’s not a lot you can do to prevent getting ringworm because it is so easily spread. You can avoid contact with people that have visible signs of the rash but because of the long incubation period you may also get from someone who shows no symptoms. Be extremely cautious when using public facilities, always wearing flip flops in public showers. If you use a gym facility make sure mats are washed frequently. But above all else, if you do contract ringworm, be extremely diligent in your treatment. Since it spreads so easily it is difficult to totally get rid of and total follow through on treatment is a must.
For more information about ringworm visit our comprehensive ringworm site at http://ringwormremedy.slhost3.com and while your there feel free to sign up for our free email mini-course “10 Secrets to Curing Ringworm”.
