Has anyone ever had ringworm? I heard that people can get it too. What's the treatment if you get it?

Answer 1

it is just a topical fungal infection. It is called ringworm because of the clearly defined borders that is usually trademark for this. It was onced believed that it was a worm when indeed it was not. A topical anti-fungal can be purchased at any store to get rid of this condition.

Answer 2

Here's the poop on ringworms:

- What is ringworm?
Ringworm is a fungus infection of the skin. It is often transferred to people from puppies or kittens who have ringworm
If your child has ringworm, your child will have a ring-shaped pink patch on the skin. The patch will:
Usually be 1/2 to 1 inch in size with a scaly, raised border and clear center.
Get slowly bigger.
Be mildly itchy.

- How long does it last?
Ringworm responds well to appropriate treatment.

- How can I take care of my child?
Antifungal cream Buy Tinactin, Micatin, or Lotrimin cream at your drugstore. You won't need a prescription. Apply the cream twice a day to the rash and 1 inch beyond its borders. Continue this treatment for 1 week after the ringworm patch is smooth and seems to be gone. Successful treatment often takes 3 to 4 weeks. Encourage your child to avoid scratching the area.

- Contagiousness
Ringworm of the skin is mildly contagious. It requires direct skin-to-skin contact. The type acquired from pets is not transmitted from human to human, only from animal to human. After 48 hours of treatment, ringworm is not contagious at all. Your child doesn't have to miss any school or day care.

- Treatment of pets
Kittens and puppies with ringworm usually do not itch and may not have any rash. Pets with a skin rash or sores should be examined by a veterinarian. Also have your child avoid close contact with the animal until he is treated. Natural immunity develops in animals after 4 months even without treatment. Call your veterinarian for other questions.

- When should I call my child's health care provider?
Call during office hours if:
The ringworm continues to spread after 1 week of treatment.
The rash has not cleared up in 4 weeks.
You have other concerns or questions.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

Answer 3

Ringworm is caused by a fungal infection of the skin. (Has nothing at all to do with "real worms"!) To treat it, you can buy (over the counter creams) that are anti-fungals...you'll find them in your pharmeceutical departments at your local stores. The ringworm fungal infection treatments are the same treatments that treat athelete's foot, yeast infection, and jock itch. They come in cream-form, sprays, and powders. You'll probably have to use one of the above for a few times a day for about two weeks (or until all spots are completely gone). Good luck. And yes, it is a transferrable (and very common) infection between animals and people, and happens when people handle an infected pet.

Answer 4

Ringworm is a fungus that is in the same line as athlete's foot or a yeast. Get any over the counter medication for athlete's foot and use it faithfully until it is gone. Athlete's foot is contagious and if it is on a hairy area of the body, the hair can fall out. Make sure if you touch it to wash your hands so it won't spread.

Answer 5

It's a fungus related to athletes foot. Use an OTC anti-fungal like Tinactin.

Answer 6

I had it when i was younger. the only thing that worked for me was walnut juice. put it directly on the ringworm.

Answer 7

A lot of people get it. Use blue star ointment to get rid of it. just be sure to wash your hands before and after you apply it

Answer 8

Ringworm is a skin infection caused by a fungus. Ringworm can affect skin on your body (tinea corporis), scalp (tinea capitis), groin area (tinea cruris, also called jock itch), or feet (tinea pedis, also called athlete's foot).

Often, there are several patches of ringworm on your skin at once.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top

Ringworm is a common skin disorder, especially among children, but it may affect people of all ages. Although its name suggests otherwise, it is caused by a fungus, not a worm.

Many bacteria and fungi live on your body. Some of these are useful to you and your body. Others can multiply rapidly and form infections. Ringworm occurs when a particular type of fungus grows and multiplies anywhere on your skin, scalp, or nails.

Ringworm is contagious. It can be passed from one person to the next by direct skin-to-skin contact or by contact with contaminated items such as combs, unwashed clothing, and shower or pool surfaces. You can also catch ringworm from pets that carry the fungus. Cats are common carriers.

The fungi that cause ringworm thrive in warm, moist areas. Ringworm is more likely when you have frequent wetness (such as from sweating) and minor injuries to your skin, scalp, or nails.

Symptoms Return to top

The symptoms of ringworm include:

Itchy, red, raised, scaly patches that may blister and ooze. The patches often have sharply-defined edges. They are often redder around the outside with normal skin tone in the center. This may create the appearance of a ring. Your skin may also appear unusually dark or light.
When your scalp or beard is infected, you will have bald patches.
If nails are infected, they become discolored, thick, and even crumble.

Signs and tests Return to top

Your doctor will diagnose ringworm primarily based on the appearance of the skin. If tests are needed, the fungus may appear florescent when your skin is examined with a blue light (called a Wood's lamp) in a dark room. A more definitive diagnosis can be made by scraping the affected area of skin and examining the cells under a microscope.

Treatment Return to top

Ringworm usually responds well to self-care within 4 weeks without having to see a doctor.

Keep your skin clean and dry.
Apply over-the-counter antifungal or drying powders, lotions, or creams. Those that contain miconazole, clotrimazole, or similar ingredients are often effective.
Wash sheets and nightclothes every day while infected.
A severe or persistent infection may require treatment by a doctor. Antifungal pills may be given and are necessary if your hair is infected. Prescription antifungal skin medications, such as ketoconazole, are stronger than over-the-counter products and may be needed. Antibiotics may also be needed to treat related bacterial infections.

Infected pets also should be treated.

Expectations (prognosis) Return to top

Skin medication is usually successful at treating Ringworm within 4 weeks. If your ringworm infection is severe or resistant (meaning that it does not respond well to self-care), it will usually respond quickly to antifungal pills.

Complications Return to top

Spread of ringworm to other areas
Bacterial skin infections
Contact dermatitis or other skin disorders
Side effects from medications
Calling your health care provider Return to top

Call your doctor right away if you have any signs of a bacterial infection, which can result from scratching. These signs include swelling, warmth to the touch, sudden worsening in redness of the patches, red streaking, pus, discharge, and fever.

Call your doctor if:

Ringworm infects your scalp or beard.
Your skin does not improve after 4 weeks of self-care.
Prevention Return to top

To prevent ringworm:

Keep your skin and feet clean and dry.
Shampoo regularly, especially after haircuts.
Do not share clothing, towels, hairbrushes, combs, headgear, or other personal care items. Such items should be thoroughly cleaned and dried after use.
Wear sandals or shoes at gyms, lockers, and pools.
Avoid touching pets with bald spots.
References Return to top
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001439.htm#Treatment
http://www.rdoctor.com
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
http://www.cdc.gov
http://www.kavokin.com
http://www.symptomat.com
http://www.webmd.com
http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
Weinstein A. Topical treatment of common superficial tinea infections. Am Fam Physician. 2002; 65(10): 2095-2102.

Gupta AK. Treatments of tinea pedis. Dermatol Clin. 2003; 21(3): 431-462.

Pratte M. Common skin conditions in athletes. Clin Fam Pract. 2003; 5(3): 653.

Answer 9

YOU CAN GO TO ANY STORE AND TRY BLUESTAR CREAM FIRST IF THAT DOSEN'T CLEAR IT NEXT STEP DOC.

Answer 10

ayurvedic medicines works well in this. www.planetayurveda.com