Content

• Steps
• Advice

Ringworm (English name: Ringworm) or systemic fungus is a fungal infection of the skin not caused by worms.Ringworm usually begins as a ring-shaped, reddish, itchy skin rash that can appear anywhere on the body.The mild ringworm can be easily treated at home with antifungal lotions or creams. However, more serious cases need to see a doctor and take prescription drugs. By recognizing the symptoms of ringworm and treating them at home, you can avoid having to seek medical treatment.

Steps

Part 1 of 4: Recognizing the symptoms of ringworm

1. 

   Know your risk factors. Although anyone can get ringworm, some people are at an increased risk of infection. You are at higher risk of getting ringworm if:
   • Less than 15 years old
   • Live in a crowded and humid place
   • Contact with people or animals with ringworm
   • Share clothing, bedding, or towels with someone with ringworm
   • Participate in sports with direct skin contact such as wrestling
   • Wear tight clothing
   • Poor immune system

2. 

   
   
   Watch for flakes of skin. In most cases, ringworm is initially a flat, scaly patch of skin. As ringworm develops, the size of the scaly patches grows.
   • Be aware that the scalp ringworm often begins as a small, pimple-like pain. You should keep an eye on how that note develops.
   • Detect patches of skin by touching your finger on the skin for a scaly-like lump. Patches of skin may also be slightly pale due to scabs. Watch to see if the patch of skin grows or causes itching, as this is a sign of ringworm.
   • Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching areas of suspected ringworm. This step helps to prevent spreading to other parts of the body.

3. 

   
   
   Observe the contour of the skin patch. The scaly skin area may have a slightly raised and outward border as the infection spreads on the skin. Array will form a bit like a ring, so it is called Ringworm ("ring" means ring).
   • Note that the basic outline of the flaky skin or the fungal infection will be round, but can also be wavy like a snake or a worm. In addition, several interconnected circles may appear on the skin.
   • Look for itchy patches that are not round in the groin or feet. These areas of skin can be a sign of a more common fungal infection called groin itch and ringworm.
   • Check the contour color and see if there is a darker red compared to the part in the skin patch. This is often the most obvious sign of ringworm.

4. 

   
   
   Examine the inside of the skin patch. The inside and outside of most ringworm skin has a different texture or appearance. You will need to check the inner area of ​​the patchy skin for any of the following signs of ringworm:
   • Blisters
   • Suppurate
   • Scattered red notes
   • Scales on skin
   • Visible patches of skin
   • Bald scalp or broken hair

5. 

   Feeling of itching and discomfort. One of the most common symptoms of ringworm is severe discomfort and itching, especially near patches or sore areas. If itching and / or discomfort is associated with other symptoms, you may have ringworm and should be diagnosed.

6. 

   Inspect your nails. Nails and toenails can also become infected with ringworm-like fungal infections. This condition is called onychomycosis. Some signs of a fungal nail infection include:
   • The nails are thick
   • The nails are white or yellow
   • Brittle nails
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Part 2 of 4: Conducting home treatments

1. 

   Use topical antifungal lotions or creams. Mild cases of ringworm usually respond well to topical antifungal lotions. These antifungal lotions and creams help relieve symptoms such as preventing and destroying fungus.
   • Buy a topical antifungal such as Clotrimazole or Terbinafine at a pharmacy or medical equipment store. Follow all treatment instructions on the package or your doctor's instructions.
   • These antifungal lotions and creams work by destabilizing the cell walls of the fungus and causing mucus leakage. This process essentially "kills" the fungus.

2. 

   Treatment of ringworm with honey. Applying honey to the affected areas can help eliminate or prevent the ringworm from coming back. This also helps reduce inflammation caused by ringworm. Apply a little warm honey directly to the infected area, or spread a layer of honey over a gauze bandage and then apply it to the affected area.
   • Change the bandage or reapply honey twice daily until the ringworm subsides.

3. 

   Wrap the garlic. Place a few slices of garlic directly on the ringworm skin and cover it with a gauze bandage. Garlic has antifungal properties, which can help kill the fungus that causes ringworm.
   • Peel the garlic and cut it into thin slices. Place the garlic slice directly on the infected skin and wrap it with a gauze bandage. Wrap the garlic overnight and do this every night until the ringworm is gone.

4. 

   Apply apple cider vinegar. Similar to garlic, apple cider vinegar has medicinal properties. Applying apple cider vinegar directly to the affected area for a few days can help kill the fungus.
   • Wet a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and apply it to the ringworm skin. Repeat the procedure 3-5 times per day for 1-3 days.

5. 

   Use this paste to dry the ringworm skin. A mixture of salt and vinegar can kill the fungus. Apply the paste to the ringworm area for about a week and see if it helps to reduce the infection.
   • Mix salt with vinegar to make a paste, then apply directly to the affected area. Leave the mixture on your skin for about 5 minutes, then rinse it off with warm water. It can take about a week for the salt and vinegar mixture to kill the fungus.

6. 

   Try essential oils. Tea tree and lavender essential oils have strong antifungal properties. You can use either of these essential oils to stop the growth and kill the fungus that causes ringworm.
   • Mix tea tree oil with water in a 1: 1 ratio. Apply this mixture to the affected areas for up to 1 week.
   • Dab lavender oil on ringworm areas every day. Lavender essential oil can take longer (up to 1 month) to kill the fungus.
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Part 3 of 4: Finding medical treatments

1. 

   Go to the doctor. See your doctor if home remedies don't help or can't cure ringworm, or make it worse. This is the only way to get an accurate diagnosis and your doctor can plan a sensible treatment to help combat and prevent ringworm.
   • Carry out a physical exam to the doctor for the symptoms of ringworm. Your doctor may ask about medical history and factors such as ringworm exposure.
   • Ask your doctor if you have any questions about ringworm or ask about the route of infection.
   • Remember that ringworm can be spread through direct skin contact, bedding, or someone / object that has a yeast infection. Make sure someone in your household who has ringworm is also treated to avoid relapse.

2. 

   Receive diagnosis. In most cases, your doctor can diagnose ringworm by testing. However, you may need tests to confirm the diagnosis. Testing also helps your doctor come up with the best treatment plan for you.
   • Your doctor may scrape off some of the skin flakes to examine with a microscope. This way, your doctor can identify the fungus and diagnose ringworm, especially if the ringworm is persistent.
   • If standard treatments don't work, your doctor will run additional tests to detect the immune-impaired problem.

3. 

   Use prescription antifungal lotions or creams. Your doctor may prescribe an antifungal cream or lotion for severe ringworm. Prescription antifungals are more powerful than over-the-counter medications and may be more effective in treating ringworm.
   • Follow dosing instructions if your doctor prescribes an antifungal medication.

4. 

   Take an antifungal medication. Your doctor may also prescribe oral medication to treat ringworm. These drugs are often used in the case of severe ringworm and are used in combination with creams or lotions.
   • Take the antifungal medication for 8-10 weeks and follow the dosage instructions. The most common drugs are Terbinafine, Itraconazole, Griseofulvin and Fluconazole.
   • Note that oral antifungals can cause the following side effects: diarrhea, indigestion, nausea, and headache.

5. 

   Wash your hair with an antifungal shampoo. For scalp ringworm, you can take an antifungal and an antifungal shampoo. Compared to the home remedies, the antifungal shampoos treat scalp ringworm more effective and easier.
   • Consider using a shampoo containing tea tree oil if you can't find an antifungal shampoo, as tea tree oil has antifungal properties and can help treat ringworm.
   • Use Selsun Blue shampoo. This shampoo product helps in the prevention and treatment of ringworm. Use shampoo 3 times a week and use regular soap for the rest of the day. Once the ringworm is gone, you can use the shampoo 2 times a week for an additional time.
     • Be careful not to get the shampoo in your eyes and avoid using shampoo on your face.
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Part 4 of 4: Prevention of ringworm

1. 

   Keep it clean. Cleanliness is an important step in the prevention and treatment of ringworm. Simple measures such as washing hands or using personal items separately can help prevent the spread of ringworm and prevent the disease from coming back.

2. 

   Clean skin. Ringworm is a result of parasites that multiply by eating skin cells. Washing your hands often and bathing every day can help prevent ringworm from coming back.
   • Use soap and water to wash skin after using the toilet or touching public surfaces.
   • Wear flip flops or bathroom shoes when taking a shower in the gym or changing rooms.

3. 

   Keeps skin completely dry. Wet environments can stimulate the growth of ringworm. Make sure to keep your skin completely dry by using a towel or letting it dry naturally after swimming or bathing. This will help avoid creating a moist environment for the fungus to grow.
   • Talc powder or cornstarch, rice flour can keep the skin dry, water-free or sweat-free.
   • Use deodorants and antiperspirants to keep the underarms dry, thus preventing ringworm.

4. 

   Avoid contact. Ringworm is highly contagious, so you should avoid sharing personal items. This will help prevent ringworm or prevent the disease from coming back.
   • Keep towels, bedding, and clothing separately from the sick person. Hairbrushes and combs can also spread ringworm.

5. 

   Wear loose, cool clothing. Wear weather-appropriate clothes and dress in layers to avoid changing weather. This will help prevent sweating - the factors that facilitate ringworm.
   • Wear soft, lightweight clothing in summer. Choose fabrics like cotton to help your skin breathe.
   • Dress in layers in winter or when seasons change. Dressing in layers will ease off when you feel hot, thus preventing sweating - a factor that stimulates the environment conducive to ringworm. Consider fabrics like Merino wool to keep your body warm and dry.
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Advice

• Avoid scratching the affected area to prevent it from getting worse and spreading the infection.
• Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water whenever you touch an area of ​​ringworm or a patch of skin that you suspect has a fungal infection.
• Examination and treatment of pets with ringworm.