Ringworms, where do they come from and how do you treat them?

Answer 1

You can get it from being outside playing in dirt - like gardening, etc. Or pets can bring it in from outside. Or, you can get it from someone who has it.

Try over the counter Lotrimin cream first. Apply it topcially to the affected area and wash your hands right away. If the area is exposed - like your forearm or something, you can cover it with a bandage. Apply it daily as package directs until the rash disappears and then two days after.

If you see NO improvment or it gets worse within 5 days of starting this treatment, see a doctor for a prescription.

Answer 2

Ringworm is a contagious fungus infection that can affect the scalp, the body, the feet (athlete's foot), or the nails.

People can get Ringworm from:
1) direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person or pet, 2) indirect contact with an object or surface that an infected person or pet has touched, or
3) rarely, by contact with soil.

Ringworm can be treated with fungus-killing medicine.
To prevent Ringworm,
1) make sure all infected persons and pets get appropriate treatment,
2) avoid contact with infected persons and pets,
3) do not share personal items, and
4) keep common-use areas clean.

Answer 3

What causes ringworm?

Although the world is full of yeasts, molds, and fungi, only a few cause skin problems. These agents are called the dermatophytes, which means "skin fungi." Skin fungi can only live on the dead layer of keratin protein on top of the skin. They rarely invade deeper into the body and cannot live on mucous membranes, such as those in the mouth or vagina.

How is ringworm treated?

Ringworm can be treated topically (with external applications) or systemically (for example, with oral medications):

Topical treatment: When fungus affects the skin of the body or the groin, many antifungal creams can clear the condition in two weeks or so. Examples of such preparations include those that contain clotrimazole (Cruex cream, Desenex cream, Lotromin cream, lotion, and solution, and Lotrisone cream); miconazole (Monistat-Derm cream and Lotrimin cream, powder, and spray); ketoconazole (Nizoral cream and shampoo); and terbinafine (Lamisil cream and solution). These treatments are effective for many cases of foot fungus as well.

Systemic treatment: Some fungus infections do not respond well to external applications. Examples include scalp fungus and fungus of the nails. To penetrate these areas, oral medications are necessary.

Answer 4

My daughter had this once, I think when she was around a year old. I was worried about how she might have been exposed. It turns out that ringworm is NOT actually a worm! It is a contagious fungal infection of the skin. Our doctor gave us an antifungal cream to apply to her skin a few times a day.

Answer 5

Ringworm can come from dirt, sand, etc. My daughter just had one this past summer. Go to the store and get some anti fungal cream....like for athletes foot and rub it on a couple of times a day. If you are unsure what to get you can ask a pharmacist...they can help you out.

And Tammy J.....although yes living in a dirty house doesn't help it doesn't necessarily come from that either.....my house is ALWAYS clean and my daughter got it from playing at the beach in the sand.

Answer 6

The term "ringworm" or "ringworms" refers to fungal infections that are on the surface of the skin. (The early belief was that the infection was due to a worm, which it is not, although the name has stuck.) Some of these fungi produce round spots, but many do not. Ringworm can be treated topically (with external applications) or systemically (for example, with oral medications). Check with your doctor. :)

Answer 7

Ringworm is not worms, it's fungus. It comes from playing in dirt, or touching it on another person, cat or dog. It's also the same thing as athlete's foot so you could use athlete's foot cream, Tinactin works.

Answer 8

Ringworms come from animals the best treatment is athletes foot cream. You can also use clear nail polish put the polish on the spot and it will be gone in a day this will also help it from spreading furthur or onto someone else. Use a bandaid over it they are contagious.

Answer 9

It is just a fungus, not really worms. It has nothing to do with how clean your house is. It is extremely contagious. It is usually kids who get them from school. You need an ointment from the doctor. It takes a few weeks for it to completely go away. It will not go away on its own, it will just grow.

Answer 10

Its a fungus... kids can pick it up from sweating and touching grass... or from each other.

There are anti-fungal creams you can get.

My nephew had it so severely on his scalp that my mom had to take diluted bleach to it (hes half black, so i guess its really hard to get out of thier hair?)