Ringworm isn’t a worm. It’s a skin infection that’s caused by mold like fungi that thrive on the keratinised structures like skin, hair, and nails. It is also called Dermatophytosis or Tinea in medical terms. It is a red, scaly patch or bump that itches. Over time, the bump turns into a ring- or a circular patch. It could convert into many rings and spread all over the body.

 The incubation period of Ringworms is between 4 to 14 days. After coming in contact with skin, hair or nails the fungi will release enzymes and digest the keratin thereby degrading the affected area. 

Causes of Ringworm

1. Ringworms are caused by fungal organisms like Trichophyton, Microsporum and Epidermophyton.
2. Ringworms are transmitted from an infected person to a healthy person directly or through skin contact.
3. Ringworms are highly contagious and can be transmitted from objects like combs, towels etc.
4. Ringworms can be caused to humans from infected animals also like cats, rodents, dogs etc.

 5.Hot and Humid climate induces a lot of sweating and thus increasing chances of causing ringworms.

Types of Ringworm

Ringworms can be differentiated into several types based on location affected by them on the body. Some of these are: –

1. Tinea manuum – ringworm infection affecting the area of palms and hands.
2. Tinea cruris – fungal infection affecting the groin area. More severe in male than females.
3. Tinea pedis – Also know as the Athletes foot, this infection affects the toes and the feet.
4. Tinea Faciei- Fungal Infection affecting the face.
5. Tinea Barbae- fungal infection affecting beards and facial hair.

Symptoms of Ringworm

Some of the Symptoms of ringworms include: 

1.Itching, Burning and stinging in between toes, fingers and groin.

2. Discoloured and crumbly nails all over the body.
3. A rash spreading from the groin to the inner thighs, waist and buttocks.
4. bald patches on the scalp with intense itching.

Diagnosis of Ringworm

1. Ringworms are typically diagnosed by the observation of red lesions on the skin. However, this is often not a fully correct approach and this might lead to misdiagnosis.
2. Few fungi which cause ringworm show fluorescence under black light. This is the most commonly used method of detecting ringworms.
3. Doctors may order a KOH exam if they suspect that a fungus could be the cause of your lesion.
4. Fungal Culture: – A swab sample is taken from the infected area and sent to a laboratory to check whether infection causing fungi are present or not.

Treatment of Ringworm Infection

Dermatologists can treat ringworms with antifungal drugs. These drugs come in many various forms like creams, ointments, and pills. Doctors prescribe these medicines based on the area of the body that needs treatment.

Skin: An antifungal ointment or cream is typically prescribed by the doctors. Most of those medicines are applied twice daily for two to four weeks and are safe for children also.

If the ringworm covers an oversized space of the skin, then it is necessary for the infected person to take prescribed antifungal drugs.

Athlete’s foot: An antifungal cream or spray can be simply obtained while not a prescription which might help in treating athlete’s heel. A less severe case heals in two weeks approximately.

 If the athlete’s foot is a lot severe or fails to clear in a certain period of time, a specialist will impose stronger drugs.

Jock itch: To treat this kind of ringworm, the dermatologist might advocate the use of an antifungal cream, spray, or powder that can be simply purchased while not a prescription. 

To treat the itch, it typically helps to use a wet, cool bath linen to the infected area for twenty to thirty minutes.

When cleaning the infected area or applying a cool compress, always make it certain to use a clean bath linen each time and use it solely on the infected area. Before using the bath linen once again make sure to wash it in hot water as ringworm causing fungi can survive on objects for a long time 

Scalp: On the scalp, ringworm needs to be treated with prescribed medicinal drug.

Children suffering from scalp ringworm typically receive a medication referred to as griseofulvin. Dermatologists might prescribe tablets, capsules, or liquid. Sometimes, other medicinal drug may be prescribed as per the severity of the infection. It is very necessary to take the antifungal drugs specifically as prescribed, and for as long as prescribed. The ringworm might fail to heal if medicines are not taken as prescribed.

Clearing scalp ringworm typically needs using an antifungal shampoo. Even person coming in contact of the infected person and the person living with them have to use an antifungal shampoo. Scalp ringworm is very contagious. once everybody uses antifungal shampoo, the chances of everyone getting infected from scalp ringworm reduces.

Hands: Mild Cases are often healed with the help of an antifungal cream. In some severe cases medicinal drugs like terbinafine or itraconazole is necessary 

       Nails:  As nails grow slowly ringworms affecting the nails also take time to heal so, it is necessary    to take prescribed medicines and a regular follow up check up with the dermatologists. Ringworms in nails are more likely to spread so extra caution is needed while treating nail ringworms.

Conclusion

Ringworms thrive on keratin structures and they cannot invade living cells hence they are not a severe disease. However untreated or undertreated ringworms may lead to other severe diseases. Preventing and treating ringworms is necessary as soon as it is diagnosed.