Ringworm, also known as tinea, encompasses various contagious fungal infections affecting the top layer of the skin, scalp, and nails. Despite its name, ringworm is not caused by worms but by fungi. The infection is characterized by an itchy, red rash that often appears in a ring-like pattern.
Ringworm on the arm
What is Ringworm?
Ringworm is a common infection caused by fungi called dermatophytes. Children are particularly susceptible, but anyone can be affected. This fungus attaches to keratin, a protein that makes up the nails, hair, and outer layer of the skin. If a person or animal has ringworm, they may deposit fungal spores on objects and surfaces they touch. Anyone who touches those objects may contract a ringworm infection.
Its name comes from the distinctive ring shape of the rash; it is not due to worms. This fungal infection can affect different parts of the body. When it affects the scalp, it can cause hair loss.
Types of Ringworm
Ringworm that affects the skin is called tinea corporis. However, different types of ringworm affect other parts of the body, including:
Read also: Decoding "Oloribu Omo Ofo Yoruba"
- Scalp: Scalp ringworm (tinea capitis) is more common in children and hot, humid climates.
- Groin: Jock itch (tinea cruris) is more common among people who sweat, such as athletes.
- Feet: Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) is a foot infection that usually affects the skin on the soles, sides, and toes.
- Nail bed: Onychomycosis is an infection of the nail bed. When dermatophytes cause an infection, it is called tinea unguium.
- Beard: This affects people who can grow facial hair, and it often results from contact with an animal or human with ringworm.
Different Types of Ringworm
Risk Factors
The following factors may increase the risk of ringworm:
- Contact sports, such as wrestling
- Walking barefoot, especially in places such as locker rooms or public showers
- Wearing tight socks and shoes
- Close contact with animals
- Excessive sweating
- A weakened immune system
Doctor explains HOW TO TREAT RINGWORM (jock itch/athletes foot) | Medications plus natural remedies
Symptoms and Stages
The stages in which ringworm develops depend on the type of ringworm.
- On the body, patches grow slowly in size, and more patches can appear on other parts of the body. The center of the patch may clear, leaving a ring. If there are several rings, they may merge.
- Athlete’s foot tends to start between the toes before spreading to the bottoms or sides of the feet, or both. The skin between the toes can then turn white and become soft.
- On the nails, ringworm starts with discoloration of the nails. Over time, the nails will lift and crumble.
- In the groin, the first sign is usually an itchy rash in the crease where the leg meets the body. This can spread to the:
- groin
- inner thigh
- waist
- buttocks
Diagnosis
A doctor or pharmacist can typically diagnose ringworm after examining the affected area and asking the patient about their medical history and symptoms. A doctor may take a small scraping of the skin, which will not hurt, and examine it under a microscope to look for characteristics of fungi.
The doctor will assess whether the rash is due to another condition, such as psoriasis. Further testing may be necessary if symptoms are particularly severe. If symptoms do not improve after treatment, the doctor may remove a small piece of affected skin and send it to a lab for analysis.
Read also: Cultural Wedding Traditions: Yoruba
Treatment
People should speak with a healthcare professional if they think they have ringworm, particularly ringworm affecting the scalp or nail. A doctor may suggest OTC treatments or recommend a more extensive diagnosis to identify any underlying causes or rule out other conditions. They may also wish to know about a person’s travel history.
If a person is undergoing ringworm treatment, they should contact a doctor in the following instances:
- treatment is complete, but symptoms are still present
- symptoms worsen
- symptoms appear in a new location
Scalp Ringworm Treatment
Scalp ringworm typically requires oral antifungal medications, such as:
- terbinafine (LamISIL)
- griseofulvin (Grifulvin V, Gris-PEG)
- itraconazole (Onmel, Sporanox)
- fluconazole (Diflucan)
Skin Ringworm
Treatments for athlete’s foot and jock itch may be the same as treatment for ringworm elsewhere on the skin.
Doctors or pharmacists will usually recommend over-the-counter (OTC) treatments, such as antifungal:
Read also: "Ire": A Deep Dive into Yoruba Meaning
- creams
- lotions
- ointments
- powders
medications, such as:
- miconazole (Aloe Vesta, Micaderm)
- clotrimazole (Lotrimin, Mycelex)
- terbinafine (Lamisil)
People may need to continue applying these treatments for two to four weeks, depending on the specific instructions.
Nail Infections
Seeking early help for nail fungal infections can improve the effectiveness of treatments. If a person does not seek treatment, the infection may spread to the skin.
A healthcare professional may suggest prescription medications or may wish to remove the nail entirely. It may take up to a year to treat a fungal nail infection.
Prevention
To prevent the spread and recurrence of ringworm, consider the following measures:
- complete treatment plans, do not finish treatment early even if symptoms improve
- wash the hands after touching the affected area
- keep the affected area clean and dry
- use clean towels and avoid sharing towels
- avoid clothing that causes sweating, such as overly tight clothes
- treat all instances of ringworm at the same time
- change into new, clean clothing every day and wash clothing before wearing them again
- shower after exercising
- wear protective clothing, such as shoes, in public showers and locker rooms
- take pets to the veterinarian if they may have ringworm
- speak to a healthcare professional if treatment does not seem to be working
Traditional Herbal Medicine in Nigeria
For decades, medicinal plants and herbal practices have been used to treat infectious and other non-infectious diseases through the traditional practice of herbal medicine practitioners (HMPs) in Nigeria. An ethnopharmacological study could reveal uninvestigated plants from the northern part of Nigeria that could serve as sources of novel antiviral drugs.
The study was aimed at investigating and documenting the herbal practices and medicinal plants used for treating emerging and re-emerging viral diseases including hepatitis, poliomyelitis, monkeypox, smallpox, yellow fever, Lassa fever, meningitis, and COVID-19 in some northern Nigerian states; Katsina, Kebbi, Kwara and Sokoto.
A total of 131 medicinal plants belonging to 65 families were identified across these states that are used for treating hepatitis, meningitis, yellow fever, Lassa fever, COVID-19, smallpox, and monkeypox.
Plants such as Azadirachta indica A.Juss, Eucalyptus globulus Labill, and Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & L.M.Perry were the most frequently mentioned plants in Katsina state. In Kebbi state, Moringa oleifera Lam. (75.3%) Mangifera indica (71.2%), and A. indica (68.5%) were the most frequently cited medicinal plants. Whereas, Elaeis guineensis Jacq. (80%), Nymphaea lotus L. (57.1), Piper guineense Schumach. &Thonn. (57.1%) and Euphorbia hirta (51.4%) were the most frequently mentioned plants in Kwara state. Similarly, Acacia nilotica (L.) Delile (70%), Combretum micranthum G. Don. (60%) and Piliostigma reticulatum (DC.) Hochst.
Examples of Plants Used and Their Applications
- Aframomum melegueta K.: Inhibited measles and yellow fever virus. Used to treat fever in Togo and HIV in Nigeria.
- Anogeissus leiocarpus (DC.) Guill.: Used in concoctions for various treatments.
- Cassia alata L. var. Senna alata: Known as ringworm shrub due to its fungicidal properties, effective in treating ringworm and other fungal infections of the skin.
The diagnosis of viral diseases is similar for the northwestern states of Sokoto, Kebbi, and Katsina. Hepatitis is referred to as ‘ciwon anta’ and the majority of patients know through voluntary screening for blood donations before approaching HMPs for treatment or through observation of yellowish eyes.
Popular articles:
tags:
