| By :
Atya Amberville
Did you know that ringworm is not actually a worm nor is it caused by worms? It's true but that doesn't make it any less of a concern. It is a fungal skin disorder that can affect the skin on your body, scalp, groin, and feet. If you're a sufferer, here's some helpful ringworm information for you! CAUSES Ringworm isn't that uncommon, especially with kids. It is caused by a fungal infection cause when particular types of fungi grow out of control. Fungi usually need warm and moist environments to thrive. It is contagious and can spread from person to person through direct contact or contact with contaminated items like towels or clothing. Pets and animals can also carry them. SIGNS The usual sign of this skin disorder is the appearance of patches on your skin. These patches often take the appearance of a ring. The outsides are redder and the inside looks like regular skin. They are usually itchy and may ooze and blister. Your scalp or beard may also show signs like bald patches. TESTS The physical appearance of the rings is one of the first indicators your doctors will be looking at. For further confirmation, you may be put under a Wood's Lamp, a special lamp that will make fungi more visible. Skin scrape tests may also be conducted: Doctors take a sample of the skin affected and examine it under a microscope. TREATMENT According to MedlinePlus (a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine) it isn't that hard to treat ringworm problems. They usually respond very well to home based self treatments. Try to keep your skin dry and clean. Apply anti fungal creams or lotions to the affected areas. Look for the ingredients miconazole or clotrimazole. You have to keep your beddings and clothes well washed as well. You may even have to wash them daily. Your pets may also have to be treated else the problem will just come back. After four weeks of this, you should be free from your ringworm problem. Prevention is also possible. Since the condition spreads through contact, explaining this to your kids can be a big help. It is also advisable to instruct your kids not to share towels or clothing whenever they go swimming. Consult your doctor if the problems persist. There are some cases where the fungal infection becomes severe enough that you may need special treatment.
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