There are several different types of ring worm! Learn what they are and how it is treated!
Ringworm is a fungal skin infection that infects the skin, living only in the top layer of dead skin. The fungus that causes this infection is usually classified by its location on the body. Although most people tend to believe that ringworm is cause by owning cats, this is not necessarily true. Much to many peoples surprise there are several different names for ringworm include, athlete's foot or foot ringworm, jock itch or groin ringworm, scalp ringworm, nail ringworm, body ringworm and beard ringworm. Fungi that are known to infect the skin, or dermatophytes, tend to produce only a small amount of irritation or in some cases cause no symptoms. The are often found in moist areas of the body where the skin surfaces meet. Oddly, a fungal infection on one part of the body will cause a rash in another area of the body that isn't infected. These areas appear due to an allergic reaction to the fungus.
Athlete's foot or foot ringworm will usually appear when the weather is warm and is considered a common fungal infection. In most cases it is caused by epidermophyton fungi or trichophyton fungi. Both of these fungi grow easily in warm, moist areas such as those between the toes . Symptoms may include only a mild scalding or in more severely infected cases, a severe scalding with a raw, itchy, painful rash over the sides of the feet and between the toes. In some cases blisters that are filled with fluid may form and the skin may begin to crack. When this occurs there is a danger of bacterial infection and especially in elderly people or those who have poor blood flow in the feet. Jock itch or groin ringworm is caused by a variety of yeast and fungi. This infection is more predominant in men than women and tends to develope during the warmer months of the year. The symptoms of jock itch may include red, ring like areas, occasionally with small blisters on the skin around the groin and in the area around the upper, inner thighs. The area will often be very itchy and sometimes even painful. Since the fungi can survive indefinitely on the skin reoccurrences are common and even when the proper treatment is given the infection may repeat itself if the person is susceptible.
Scalp ringworm is highly contagious and especially among children. It is caused by either the fungi trichophyton or microsporum and may produce a scaly red rash that can feel itchy. In some cases it will produce a patchy area of hair loss without producing a rash. Nail ringworm occurs when the fungi trichophyton gets into the newly forming part of a finger or toenail. Once there it produces a lusterless thickening that deforms the nail. This type of ringworm is found more often on the toenail than the fingernail. Once the toenail is infected it will often separate from the toe, flake off and crumble.
Beard ringworm is known to be rare since most infections of the skin in the beard are caused by bacteria. Body ringworms produce a red or pink rash that tends to form patches with clear areas in the center. This type of ringworm is caused by the fungi trichophyton and can develope on the skin in any area of the body. In most cases of ringworm, with the exception of scalp and nail, antifungal creams are used to cure the problem. In more stubborn cases a doctor may prescribe therapy with griseofulvin to be used in conjunction with the antifungal cream.
