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Learn What Ringworm Is Caused By: Causes, Prevention & Dermatologist Treatment
Introduction:
Hello friends, I am Dr. Ruchir Shah, a Dermatologist. In today’s blog, you’ll learn about what ringworm is caused by, the reasons behind its spread, and how you can treat it effectively with the help of a dermatologist. If you're suffering from a persistent ringworm infection, click on the given link to know how you can get a free skin consultation with a dermatologist for your ringworm infection.
What Is Ringworm and How Is It Caused?
Ringworm is a skin disease, it is also called as fungal infection, ringworm, tinea infection, jock itch. Despite its name, it is not caused by a worm, but by a group of fungi called dermatophytes. It starts with a small pimple or papule. About 40 different species of fungi can cause ringworm. Mainly, it is caused by fungi, which include Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton. Ringworm is caused by the growth of these fungi that evolve in the skin, and form circular, ring-shaped plaques, especially in warm, moist environments. The disease often appears as a red, circular, and itchy rash. Read this entire blog to know ringworm causes/ ring worm infection causes.
Reasons and Factors - Ringworm Is Caused by
Fungal spores can live on skin, clothing, towels, and even soil for long periods. Ringworm is caused by several different sources of transmission, and it spreads to humans (which causes ringworm) in five ways:
- Person to Person
- Animal to human
- Through sweat and moisture
- By coming in contact with fomites of the infected person
- By direct contact with soil carrying the fungus
Person to Person:
Direct skin contact with an infected person is one of the most common ringworm causes. Sharing personal items like combs, towels, clothes, or bedsheets increases the risk significantly. This is why sibling management is crucial if your child has a ringworm.
Animal to Human:
Ringworm can also be caused by infected animals, if you touch an animal that is infected with ringworm or even objects that have come in contact with that animal. Cats and dogs are common sources, but other animals, such as animals living in farms, can spread the fungal/ ringworm infection.
By Excessive Sweat And Moisture:
If you sweat a lot, your inner parts remain wet due to sweat and moisture, you have been roaming around the whole day wearing wet clothes as in rainy season, then you can get ringworm due to sweat, moisture and wetness. If you previously have had a ringworm infection, and you are not taking care of the personal hygiene and not keeping the inner parts dry, then ringworm infection may recur.
By Contact with Infected Objects Or Person (Fomites)
You can get ringworm infection if you come in contact with an object or surface, such as a telephone or the floor of a public bathroom, the clothes, sheets, towels, or handkerchiefs of an infected person. If you use a western toilet and a person who has ringworm has used it, and then you use it and sit on it, then you can also get ringworm.
By Direct Contact With Soil Carrying The Fungus:
Ringworm can be caused by Humans, and animals can get ringworm infection through direct contact with soil containing the fungus or direct exposure to soil containing dermatophyte fungi. This often affects those working in farming or gardening. Soil containing the fungus can spread ringworm infection.
Now that you know what causes ringworm, find out how to treat and cure ringworm fast in our complete guide to Ringworm Treatment and Cure.
Who Is More Likely To Get Ringworm Infection?
You are more likely to get fungal/ ringworm infection if you:
- Live in a place with a warm climate. Excessive sweating in a hot and humid environment can cause ringworm. If you live in such a place, you should make it a habit to wipe your inner parts with a dry cloth whenever you sweat.
- Weak immune system- If you have an underlying disease or a condition like diabetes, in which the immunity of your body decreases. Ringworm can spreads quickly in such a person and does not go away quickly. In such cases, fungal infection home remedies are usually ineffective, and professional medical treatment is strongly recommended.
- If you participate in sports (athlete), then you can get ringworm on your inner parts due to excessive sweating. Which is called jock itch fungus in English.
- Men are more likely to get ringworm infection than females.
- If you have a habit of sharing your personal things with others.
Tips To Prevent The Spread Of Fungal Infection
Ringworm is a highly contagious condition and can spread very easily from one person to another. It can also spread easily by contact of the hand you have itched to other parts of your body, or even to someone else's body. Follow the hygienic lifestyle tips mentioned below to prevent it from spreading further:
- Wear Loose-Fitting And Cotton Clothes
If you are thinking that wearing tight clothes or covering your body tightly will absorb the sweat and prevent further spread of the infection, but doing so will lock in moisture and slow down the healing process. Wear loose-fitting clothes, preferably made of cotton or other natural fabrics. This will wick away sweat and prevent the condition from worsening. Also, make sure you change your clothes at least once a day, as wearing the same clothes for more than a day can worsen the symptoms.
- Change Bedsheets Every Day
Just like you change your clothes every day, changing bedsheets and pillow covers everyday are also of importance. Because ringworm is very contagious, the fungus may get transferred through your bedsheets. If you sleep in these contaminated sheets every night, this can worsen the symptoms and infection can spread to other parts of your body, as well as to other people you share your bed with.
- Use Anti-Fungal Medicines
To prevent the spread of fungal/ ringworm infection to the other parts of your body and to reduce symptoms, it is always recommended to consult a dermatologist. A dermatologist can prescribe you the anti-fungal medication like ketoconazole, luliconazole, amorolfine, itraconazole, etc. These ingredients kill the germs and reduce the infection. While topical antifungal products can significantly reduce symptoms, they cannot completely cure the condition without the help of oral medication. A dermatologist not only prescribe you proper medication but can also advice you on do's and don'ts of ringworm infection. It is always advisable to keep the areas dry and use powder once the infection is cured and course from a dermatologist is completed. It helps to absorb the sweat that you get in these areas.
Always Remember
- Make others aware of your condition. This can help them take adequate precautions.
- Consult a skin specialist doctor. He will diagnose your disease and give you the right course of medication, moreover, he can educate you on what ringworm is caused by and get a tailored treatment plan.
- Do not use medicines like steroids. This can worsen your problem further.
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Other Services We Offer at Neodermatologist
If you are looking for treatment beyond fungal infections, check out our other dermatology services:
Online Hair Treatment Consultation
Click the links to explore our online dermatologist services and consult with a skin specialist from the comfort of your home
Conclusion
Ringworm may not be a life-threatening infection, but it is important to diagnose and treat it promptly. This can prevent the infection from spreading to the other parts of the body. For this, it is very important to see a dermatologist. By taking a continuous course of medication for one and a half to two months, ringworm is completely cured. Staying away from what ringworm is caused by or in other words ringworm causes/ ring worm infection causes is the most important thing to prevent it and its recurrences.
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