RINGWORM
fungal infection located on the epidermis
Dermatophytes skin fungi
Dermatophytes only live on the dead keratin protein on the outer layer of skin and cannot live in mucus.
Ringworm
The cat has ringworm going down it's body and lost most of it's fur.
Ringworm
This individual has ringworm on his chest.
Symptoms
Ringworm effects nails, hands, feet, scalp, groin, body, face.
Nails- causes nails to become yellow, thick, and crumbly
Scalp- begins with small bumps that develop a circular pattern when the patches grow larger
Feet- may cause thickening and scalping of the skin
Groin- chafed, reddish, itchy, and painful rash in the groin
Body- flat, scaly, round spots on the epidermis
Face- red, scaly patches
Transmition
You can catch ringworm if you come in contact with a ringworm patch on an individual, if you use items contaminated by the fungus, such as combs, unwashed clothing, shower or pool surfaces, or from cats, who are the most common pet carrier of ringworm.
Treatment
Ringworm can be treated by applying antifungal cream to the ringworm areas. The creams include: clotrimazole (Cruex cream, Desenex cream, Lotrimin cream, lotion, and solution), miconazole (Monistat-Derm cream), ketoconazole (Nizoral cream), econazole (Spectazole), naftifine (Naftin), and terbinafine (Lamisil cream and solution). If an individual experiences severe patches of ringworm, oral medication will be prescribed. These medications include: griseofulvin (Fulvicin, Grifulvin, and Gris-PEG), terbinafine, itraconazole (Sporanox), and fluconazole (Diflucan). Oral medications are usually given for a three-month course.
RING WORM TREATMENT SHOWING ALL HEALING STAGES.wmv
Prevention
- Keep skin clean and dry. Change socks and underwear at least once a day.
- Wear loose-fitting cotton clothing
- Do not share clothing, sports equipment, towels, or sheets.
- Wear slippers or sandals in locker rooms, showers, and public bathing areas..
- Take your pet to a veterinarian if it has patches of missing hair, which may be a sign of a fungal infection and avoid contact with pets that develop ringworm or have bald patches.