Ringworm is a disease caused by fungi that can affect the skin, nails, scalp, groin and genital region, leading to the appearance of various symptoms according to the site of infection.
The growth of fungi occurs mainly in humid environments, so one of the main ways of transmitting fungi is through the sharing of objects, mainly towels, and lack of proper hygiene.
The treatment for ringworm should be done according to the dermatologist's guidance and the use of oral or topical medications, such as creams and ointments, is usually indicated.
Main symptoms
The symptoms of ringworm can appear in different parts of the body, and can affect skin, fingers, scalp, genital region and nails, for example. Thus, symptoms vary according to the location
- Itching; Appearance of red and scaly lesions; Darkening or lightening of skin regions; Genital discharge and itching; Alteration of the color and shape of the nail.
Symptoms are progressive and are more common in summer, as heat is one of the factors that favors fungal proliferation. Know the main types of ringworm.
Fungi need an environment that provides the ideal conditions for their growth, such as heat and humidity. Thus, sharing wet bath and face towels can be considered a form of transmission of ringworm. In addition, diseases such as diabetes, prolonged use of antibiotics and stress can favor the proliferation of fungi, as there is a decrease in the immune system and the amount of good bacteria in the body, resulting in ringworm.
Other factors that favor the occurrence of ringworm are unprotected sexual intercourse, sweating a lot, wearing very tight clothes and frequent very humid environments or that do not have adequate hygiene, such as changing rooms and bathroom stalls, for example.
How to prevent
The prevention of ringworm occurs through simple measures that prevent fungal proliferation. Thus, it is important to take good care of hygiene, including intimate hygiene, keep the body clean and dry, cleaning especially the fold regions, and avoid walking barefoot on damp or public floors.
In addition, it is recommended to use cotton clothes that allow the skin to breathe and avoid sharing personal materials, such as towels, makeup, hair brushes and nail pliers, for example.
How the treatment is done
The treatment for ringworm must be indicated by the dermatologist and it is done with the objective of eliminating the fungus that causes the infection and, thus, alleviating the symptoms. Treatment is usually done using creams, ointments, topical lotions or oral medications, which are recommended depending on where the lesions appear and the severity of the symptoms.
The remedies most used in the treatment of mycoses are Fluconazole, Clotrimazole, Miconazole or Itraconazole and the treatment time varies according to the ringworm site, and can last from 30 to 60 days in the case of ringworm in the hands, 1 year in the case of ringworm of the feet and months when the fungi affect the scalp or nails, for example. See which are the best remedies for ringworm.
It is important that the treatment be done even if the symptoms disappear, as all the fungi may not have been eliminated, and the symptoms may reappear or even worsen the disease.
