Appearance of red or whitish spots; Severe itching in the affected area; Inflammation or peeling of the skin; Crack between the toes (when it reaches the feet). Where can skin ringworm occur? When ringworm reaches the skin, it usually appears in regions that are hot and humid, such as the feet, armpits and groin – considering that they are regions more prone to sweat, for example.
So, these areas are ideal for the development of fungi. However, it is also possible that ringworm affects places that do not have these characteristics, such as the face.
It is worth noting, first, that the classification of ringworm is made based on the affected region and not necessarily by the causative fungus. This is because the same species can cause infection in different parts of the body – it can also vary in terms of symptoms.
Let’s understand better how this infection behaves in different parts of the dermis:
Groin Ringworm that affects the groin area is called tinea cruris , caused by fungi of the genera Trichophyton, Microsporum or Epidermophyton .
It is recurrent in obese people and athletes. However, it often manifests itself in people who do not belong to any of these groups, and it can occur – for example – due to the use of very tight clothes, which creates a hot and humid environment.
Although tinea cruris is, in general, a mild and harmless infection, if not treated properly it can spread quickly to the surrounding areas – reaching the folds of the thighs and buttocks.
It is worth mentioning that, naturally, these fungi may be present in the dermis, but our immune system can only keep them under control if the skin is clean and dry, not being favorable to the development of the infectious agent.
Foot ringworm (also known as athlete’s foot or chilblains ) is caused by the same group of fungi that affects the groin region – Trichophyton, Microsporum or Epidermophyton.
This explains a curious factor: it is quite common for people to suffer from ringworm in the groin and feet at the same time.
The foot is a very favorable area for the development of fungi, considering that ringworm generally affects the space between the toes. This region is usually more humid, both due to sweat and lack of care – such as not properly drying your feet after bathing, for example.
These factors, together with the use of closed shoes for long periods and daily, can easily (and quickly) create an environment conducive to the development of fungi, causing ringworm.
Face When ringworm reaches the face region, it is hardly associated with the conditions mentioned above (hot and humid environment).
However, as mentioned, ringworm is easily transmissible. This can occur through the use of shared towels or when touching a contaminated region and touching your face without sanitizing, for example.
In addition, the oiliness of the face favors the proliferation of fungi – usually causing the appearance of red or whitish spots.
Finally, it is worth mentioning that especially this type of ringworm (related to oiliness) is not transmissible.
What is beach ringworm? Beach mycosis (pityriasis versicolor) is caused by the fungus Malassezia furfur, which, in general, may already be present on the skin and develop due to the favorable conditions: heat and humidity. This agent produces azelaic acid , which inhibits the production of melanin and leads to depigmentation of the skin, forming whitish spots.
This is because melanin is primarily responsible for skin pigmentation. So, since its performance is inhibited by the fungus, when the person is exposed to the sun, the depigmented parts are in contrast to the more tanned color of healthy skin.
The appearance of whitish spots is more common on the back and shoulders.
In general, the treatment is the same as any other type of ringworm: it can be through oral medications (tablets, capsules, etc.) or topical (ointments and creams).
Ringworm on the skin itches? What are the symptoms? -Yeah . One of the main symptoms of ringworm on the skin is itching, which occurs due to the presence of the infectious agent (fungus) in the affected area.
This is usually the most uncomfortable symptom, as it manifests itself in an intense way. Therefore, it is common for creams or ointments to be indicated for the treatment of ringworm, considering that in addition to treating fungi, they can also bring rapid relief to this and other symptoms.
It is also worth noting that the lesions can appear anywhere on the skin and can also be single or multiple (more than one), which can appear as red, scaly patches and even as pus blisters.
In some cases, it is still possible for deeper marks to appear that, in general, are related to the body’s inflammatory response.
It is also important to know that the injuries caused by ringworm facilitate the entry of other agents harmful to health, considering the vulnerability caused by the injury. This further reinforces the need to address the problem.
For example, a chilblain (ringworm that usually appears between the toes) can develop into erysipelas – an infectious disease that causes redness and swelling in the affected area.
Is ringworm on the skin curable? -Yeah . As soon as the symptoms of ringworm are identified, it is essential to seek medical attention in order to obtain the correct diagnosis.
Once this is done, the professional will refer the appropriate treatment to the problem and, if done correctly, the results will not take long to appear.
However, for the complete cure of ringworm (and any pathology) it is necessary to follow the treatment correctly and until the end, even if the symptoms have already disappeared. Otherwise, chances are that the problem will reoccur.
How to treat ringworm on the skin and what are the remedies? The treatment for ringworm on the skin includes the topical use of ointments, creams and also the administration of oral medications.
In addition, some home treatments can be used in a complementary manner to help relieve symptoms, as long as they do not replace medical guidelines.
Check out what are the remedies used to treat ringworm and possible home care:
Pills Considering that ringworm is an infection, it is normal that it is necessary to use medications for its treatment in order to completely eliminate infectious agents (fungi). Some of the remedies that can be used in these cases are:
Ketoconazole Tablet Medley ; Decadron ; Izonax ; Dexason ; Cetomicoss Pill . Remembering that medical monitoring is essential in order to receive a correct diagnosis of the problem and indication of appropriate treatment for your case.
Homemade medicine Many people like to make use of home “remedies”. They can be very useful in helping to relieve symptoms of some pathologies, including ringworm.
However, it must be kept in mind that they do not replace conventional treatments, nor do they exclude the need to seek medical help in cases of health problems – even the most “simple” ones.
Therefore, home therapies can be used in a complementary way to the care indicated by the doctor.
Some options for home remedies used for ringworm are:
Natural antifungal spray – made with cider vinegar and lavender oil; Tea tree oil – has antifungal properties and can be applied with a cotton wool on the area with ringworm (dilute a maximum of 4 drops in water); Chamomile tea – can also be applied with cotton, its calming effect can relieve itching; Cassava leaf tea – apply with a cotton ball to the area affected by ringworm. Ointments and creams To relieve symptoms and aid in the elimination of fungi, it is also common for the doctor to recommend the topical use of an ointment or cream, such as:
Canesten Creme ; Ketoconazole Biosynthetic Cream ; Clotrimazole Neo Química ; Clotrimazole Medley Dermatological Cream ; Fungisten . Is there a way to prevent it? -Yeah . To prevent ringworm on the skin, just understand how it is possible to be contaminated by the fungi that cause this infection.
Among the most common ways to get ringworm are:
Touching the skin affected by someone else’s ringworm; Walking barefoot in bathrooms or public places; Use someone else’s towel; Wear someone else’s clothes or shoes – especially pants and closed shoes; Share hygiene or personal care objects; Use a jacuzzi or swimming pools with hot water (with people who have ringworm); Do not dry the body properly – especially folds, such as between the fingers, groin or breasts; Wear very tight clothing or closed shoes for long periods. Therefore, the ideal is to always be careful with basic habits, such as not sharing personal care objects and redoubling attention when attending public places such as clubs, beaches, etc.
In addition, if you have any risk factors, such as low immunity, diabetes or obesity , it is even more important to take preventive actions in order to prevent the development of ringworm.
Although ringworm is an infection, if treated correctly, it does not usually cause major problems. However, always remember not to carry out treatments independently and always seek medical help for a safe diagnosis.
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