Have you ever wondered what on earth the causes of ringworm are, and why it itches so much? Well, if you have ever had it before I'm sure you have. Ringworm is definitely no fun to deal with. The itching and discomfort it creates can drive you nuts. So, what are the main causes of ringworm? How do you get it anyway?

Ringworm Signs and Symptoms

The symptoms of Ringworm include: Itchy, red, raised, scaly areas of skin that could blister and ooze. The infected areas regularly have well-defined edges. The infected areas will often be redder on the outer part with normal skin color in the middle. This can create the look of a ring. Your skin could also look strangely dark or light. When your beard or scalp has an infected area, you will have bald patches.

Signs and symptoms of ringworm are physically visible. When there is already an appearance of one or more itchy patches in the skin with define edges most likely these are ringworms. Ringworms are different with rashes or other patches like those caused by insect bites. Ringworm patches appear like rings because they have lighter centers. When they are found in the nails, usually the nails discolor, thicken and fall.

Cause of Ring Worm

The causes for ringworm on body are about the same with the causes that lead to all types of ringworm. Touching an infected human or animal will lead, in most of the cases to body ringworm. Is not necessary to be direct contact, in some cases an indirect contact may be enough to get infected. The indirect contact consists of touching objects or clothes that got in touch with an infected person or animal. In few cases the ringworm might be caused by touching the soil.

Ringworm, unlike its name, is caused by fungi and not by any worm. Sometimes also termed as ‘tinea corporis’, ringworm is an infectious skin disease caused by mold like fungi called Dermatophytes. Dermatophytes thrive on dead tissues present on skin surface and follows circular path to spread its infection. It usually affects skin, scalp, fingers, toenails and foot.

Diagnosing Ringworm

Ringworm is very easy to diagnose. Usually, the characteristics of ringworm i.e. the round red scaly ring are enough just on their own. However, doctors could also take a scraping off the affected skin or in the case of head or scalp ringworm a hair off the patient and then look at it under a microscope where confirmation of the diagnosis can be carried out.

Treatment for Ringworm

In case the body doesn't respond initially to the over the counter medicines or there are several ringworm lesions in the affected person?s body and if the lesions are widespread and severe, then oral antifungal medication is recommended for treatment. The oral medications are generally taken once a day for about seven days continuously and generally has a 100% clinical cure rate. In severe cases, oral medication may be prescribed for four to eight weeks or sometimes more, depending on the severity of the ringworm in the affected person.

Ringworm has an incubation period of 4-5 days, after which the symptoms start to show up. You must visit a doctor as soon as you discover that you have ringworm, in order to avoid its spreading to other areas of the skin and to other people. The most common medication that can treat ringworm are special ointments and antifungal pills. The ointments must be applied to the infected areas of the skin until the ringworm goes away and afterwards, because some of the bacteria can re-appear. It is very ease to diagnose ringworm, doctors usually do it by simply looking at the infected areas, sometimes a sample from the skin surface is taken and analyzed, but not too often. Since it's easy to put the ringworm diagnose most of the ointments are available without prescription. However asking for a doctor's opinion is recommended.

Ketoconazole-containing medicines are very effective in the treatment for ringworm. Nizoral shampoo contains ketoconazole (a powerful antifungal substance) and it is commonly used in the treatment for ringworm. The shampoo should be applied on the scalp and on the entire body skin in order to ensure complete eradication of the infectious fungi. Nizoral should be used 2-3 times a week in order to achieve the best results.

Some people who are into natural and organic prefer homeopathic ringworm treatment. Many attest to its effectiveness too. One of the highly recommended topical treatments for ringworm is tea tree oil. Use this as you would use the commercially bought anti-fungal cream and lotion. Other effective topical oils for ringworm are lavender and thuja. Before using these oils as ringworm treatment, however, make sure that you ask a homeopathic practitioner first.

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