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Ringworm is a kind of bacterial
infection caused by a specific family of microscopic organism called
the Dermatophytes. This kind of infection is characterized by ring
shaped rashes on the surface of the infected region. As the name
implies ringworm looks exactly like a ring on the surface of the
skin .however the ring is not exactly a circle and takes irregular
shapes. As the ringworm is caused by fungus and it is highly
communicable so it can affect many areas at a time. so you can see
the rings at many places of the body at a time . for example you can
have ring formation at many places at a single time including your
scalp (Tinea capitis), groin area (Tinea cruris or also known as
jock itch), or feet (Tinea pedis or athlete's foot). initially the
rash is in the form of a dry raised patch that appears red and feels
itchy . The inner areas look pale while the outer ring is red in
color and quite scaly. Ringworm normally becomes visible within ten
to fifteen days of infection. These symptoms of ringworms are easily
recognizable however they look slight different from person to
person.
This
family of fungus leave on the outer side of the human skin called
the hypodermis. These Dermphytes can cause ringworms in several
parts of the body include scalp, body, nails and feet. These
ringworm causing fungi thrive on places which remain warm and moist.
Hence places like groin, feet and underarm are more prone to a
ringworm attack than other places of the body. Also normally
Ringworm tends to enter the body through a break in the skin, such
as a scratch, cut, or broken skin due to eczema.
Ringworm
Complications
Complications of the Ringworms includes the following
•
Spread of ringworm to other areas
•
Bacterial skin infections
•
Contact dermatitis or other skin disorders
•
Side effects from medications
•
Kerion is a condition caused by ringworm on the scalp. This causes
painful and harsh inflammation of the scalp. Kerion causes the
swellings that bleed pus and forms a thick crusting on the scalp.
Instead of breaking, the hair falls out or can be easily pulled out.
Kerion may be caused by an overly vigorous reaction to the fungus
and can lead to permanent scars and hair loss.
•
Chances of spreading from one area of the body to another are there.
For example it may spread from nails to skin and from groin to the
foot etc.
•
Skin affected by ringworm will allow other infections to enter, such
as bacterial infections, which require antibiotic treatment.
•
If your immune system is too week and if does not work properly such
as if you have HIV or if you had undergone chemotherapy treatment,
infections are more likely to spread.
•
A fungal infection rarely spreads below the surface of the skin to
cause serious illness. |
