A scaly ring-shaped area, typically on the buttocks, trunk, arms and legs. Itchiness. A clear or scaly area inside the ring, perhaps with a scattering of bumps whose color ranges from red on white skin to reddish, purplish, brown or gray on black and brown skin. Slightly raised, expanding rings.
Ringworm of the Body (Tinea Corporis)
When fungus affects the skin of the body, it often produces itchy, red, raised, scaly patches that may blister and ooze. The patches often have sharply defined edges. They are often redder around the outside with normal skin tone in the center, creating the appearance of a ring.
It may look red, silver or darker than surrounding skin, depending on your skin tone. The rash may be scaly, dry, swollen or itchy. Ringworm can appear anywhere on the body, including the scalp (tinea capitis) and groin (jock itch). The rash is usually ring-shaped, but it may look different on your face, neck or scalp.
What do athlete's foot, jock itch, and barber's itch all have in common? They are all cases of ringworm. However, despite its name, ringworm is a skin infection caused by a fungus, not a worm. It is very common, and your risk increases in hot, humid weather.
Most mild cases of ringworm usually clear up in 2 to 4 weeks. But treatment might be needed for up to 3 months if the infection is more serious, or affects the nails or the scalp.
Ringworm on the skin starts as a red, scaly patch or bump. Over time, it may look like one or more rings with raised, bumpy, scaly borders (the center is often clear). This ring pattern gave ringworm its name, but not every infected person has it.
Diagnosis. In individuals with dracunculosis, the condition is diagnosed based upon characteristic symptoms (e.g., fever, pain, and blistering and ulceration of the affected area) in association with the emergence of the adult worm through the individual's skin.
People can get ringworm after contact with someone who has the infection. To avoid spreading the infection, people with ringworm shouldn't share clothing, towels, combs, or other personal items with other people.
Over-the-counter antifungals can kill the fungus and promote healing. Effective medications include miconazole (Cruex), clotrimazole (Desenex) and terbinafine (Lamisil). After cleaning the rash, apply a thin layer of antifungal medication to the affected area 2 to 3 times per day or as directed by the package.
People with loiasis can have itching all over the body (even when they do not have Calabar swellings), hives, muscle pains, joint pains, and tiredness. Sometimes adult worms can be seen moving under the skin. High numbers of blood cells called eosinophils are sometimes found on blood counts.
The treatment of choice is diethylcarbamazine (DEC), which kills the microfilariae and adult worms. Albendazole is sometimes used in patients who are not cured with multiple DEC treatments. It is thought to kill adult worms.
What is creeping eruption? Creeping eruption is a skin infection caused by hookworms. The infection is also called cutaneous larva migrans or sandworm disease. Creeping eruption causes severe itching, blisters, and a red growing, winding rash.
If left untreated, the area can become boggy (spongy), discharge pus and develop areas of hair loss. This form of ringworm is most common in children.
How can I tell the difference between ringworm and eczema? Ringworm is often round in shape, itchy, and has black dots at its center. Eczema symptoms include redness, dry skin, swelling of the affected area, oozing, and crusting if scratched.
A fungal rash is often red and itches or burns. You may have red, swollen bumps like pimples or scaly, flaky patches.
Ringworm spreads through direct contact with infected skin or fungal spores. The spores can live on fabrics, including clothing, couch cushions, bedding, and other porous surfaces. They also thrive in damp environments, such as public showers and locker rooms.
People who use public showers or locker rooms, athletes (particularly those who are involved in contact sports such as wrestling),2–4 people who wear tight shoes and have excessive sweating, and people who have close contact with animals may also be more likely to come in contact with the fungi that cause ringworm.
Strongyloides stercoralis is a skin-penetration nematode that infects humans and causes strongyloidiasis. It has a global distribution but is most common in rural areas of the tropics and semi tropics in communities where sanitation is poor and faecal material can contaminate the ground or the water supply.
Parasites - Strongyloides
It is a parasitic disease caused by nematodes, or roundworms, in the genus Strongyloides. The parasites enter the body through exposed skin, such as bare feet. Strongyloides is most common in tropical or subtropical climates.
Creeping eruption is a skin infection caused by hookworms. It can be caused by exposure to moist sand that has been contaminated by infected dog or cat stool. It appears as a winding, snakelike rash with blisters and itching. It may be treated with antiparasitic medicines.
Certain types of fungi (plural of fungus) cause ringworm. These fungi thrive where it's warm and humid. Ringworm is common in tropical areas and during hot, humid summers. It flourishes in warm, moist locker rooms and indoor pools.
Myth 5: Ringworm isn't contagious
Ringworm spreads easily from person to person, especially in communal areas like locker rooms and neighborhood pools. Ringworm is so contagious, in fact, that you don't even have to touch someone to get infected.
After touching the area with ringworm, wash your hands before touching another area of your body. Touching or scratching the area with ringworm and then touching another area can spread ringworm from one part of your body to another. Washing your hands well can help prevent this. Keep the infected area clean and dry.