What are the signs,mode of spreading & prevention of ringworm??-Dr. Sravya Tipirneni

Ringworm is a very common layman term. The actual medical term for that is tenia. It is a fungal infection caused by a dermatophyte fungus. It is caused by different names when it occurs on different body parts, for example face is called as tenia fascia, anywhere else in the body is called as tenia corporis. In the groin region it is also called as jock itch very commonly that is called as tenia cruris. It is called as ringworm because of its very very characteristic typical appearance. It is an annular lesion with raised borders. Usually scaling and erythema is at the active border, indicating active fungal infection. Mostly something the patients that come to us come after going to a pharmacist and asking him for the medication and the pharmacist gives some steroid based cream which is a combination of another antifungal or antibacterial. This is the biggest mistake that everybody makes. So they end up coming to the dermatologist later and then it becomes a little more difficult to treat. You first have to visit the dermatologist as soon as you see an annular lesion so that a very mild simple antifungal can nib the problem right in the bud. Instead of using a corticosteroid cream and worsening it yourself. There is something called as tenia incognito that changes the appearance of a typical fungal infection itself, which usually occurs after using nonprescription creams given by the pharmacist. So please consult your dermatologist as soon as you see anything in the form of a ring on your skin which is suspicious, itchy, red and scaly and it can be treated very easily. You can also prevent Ringworm infections, which are nothing but fungal infections of one particular type by maintaining very good hygiene. Do not perspire excessively and leave it on your body for a long time. Do not wear very occlusive clothes. Avoid hot humid climate. Moving to a cooler climate will also help you. Your body has to be well aerated so that the pathogens don’t multiply because they multiple in closed, moisture filled occlusive spaces. So these are the very few basic things that you can follow which we also give instructions in addition to the topical therapies that we give you.