However, fungal diseases are highly contagious, so early intervention is critical to preventing it from spreading to other areas of your body or infecting others. Typically, it takes two to four weeks for a skin infection to clear up. Infections of the scalp, facial hair area and nails, however, tend to last for a few months. Healthcare professionals, like those at GoHealth Urgent Care, can examine your infected area s. Want to find a GoHealth Urgent Care location in your neighborhood?
Search our handy location widget below. Besides taking fungal medicine for as long as recommended, or trying some home remedies for ringworm, there are other tips that can help you receive the best results from treatment and spare others for getting your infection. There are several reasons for skin irritation besides a fungal infection, such as allergens, chemicals, drugs, viruses and temperature. While the cause of this form of eczema is unknown, it can result from dry skin in the winter, poor blood flow, inflammation, metal materials and medications like topical antibiotic creams.
Psoriasis can also look-alike ringworm, with dry, cracked skin that may bleed. It ranges from a few spots to major eruptions of red patches of skin that cover large areas, from your feet and nails to your torso and scalp. Certain triggers — strep throat , smoking or heavy alcohol consumption, vitamin D deficiency, stress and medications like lithium — can start or worsen the symptoms.
Psoriasis can also put you at higher risk for developing other diseases like psoriatic arthritis, obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Actinic keratosis or solar keratosis, are scaly patches of skin caused by high-exposure to the sun. On the nails it is known as onychomycosis. 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.
The skin may flake, peel, or crack, and it can itch, sting, burn, or feel uncomfortable. Ringworm on the scalp may start as a small sore that looks like a pimple before becoming patchy, flaky, or scaly.
These flakes may look like dandruff. It can make some hair fall out or break into stubble, leaving a bald spot. It also can make the scalp swollen, tender, and red.
Sometimes, it causes a pus-filled mass known as a kerion , which can be confused with impetigo or cellulitis bacterial infections.
When the scalp is infected, it can cause swollen lymph nodes at the back of the head or neck. Ringworm on the nails may affect one or more nails on the hands or feet. The nails may become thick, white or yellowish, and brittle. Ringworm is caused by fungi that normally live on the skin, hair, and nails called dermatophytes.
When the environment they live in gets warm and moist, they grow out of control and start to cause symptoms. We're helping you achieve YourHealthiestSkin from head to toe. Use these tips from dermatologists to keep all your skin looking and feeling its best. AAD Shade Structures provide permanent outdoor shade in areas that are not protected from the sun. When it comes to treating the skin, plenty of people say they have expertise. Only a board-certified dermatologist has these credentials.
To get the best results and prevent the infection from spreading to other areas of your body, dermatologists recommend the following:. Treat the area for as long as recommended. Anti-fungal medicine may work quickly. You may see clearing or no longer feel symptoms in a few days.
If this happens, you should still treat the area for as long as your dermatologist recommends. By treating ringworm for as long as recommended, you help ensure that the ringworm does not re-appear a few weeks after you stop treating it. 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. The fungus that causes ringworm thrives in warm, moist areas, so you want keep the area clean and dry. Treatment may require several weeks. Only by treating for at least one week after the resolution of symptoms can one guarantee eradication. When fungus is found in the nails or on the scalp, the infection is much more difficult to eliminate.
Prolonged treatment with a prescription oral anti-fungal medicine, as well as other topical medicines, is usually necessary. Scalp ringworm is a major cause of hair loss. If you think your pet may be involved, contact your veterinarian to get up-to-date information on the best treatment for animals.
Avoiding exposure is the best way to prevent ringworm. Because these fungi thrive best on skin that is moist, hot, and hidden from the light, dressing to keep the skin cool, dry, and light can also help prevent this infection.
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Introduction The name ringworm survives from antiquity when doctors thought that this round rash was indeed caused by a worm. What is ringworm? Who gets it? Is ringworm contagious? How long does it last? Diagnosis Ringworm is often diagnosed by the history and physical examination and rapid response to treatment.
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