Ringworm (tinea) is a common infection. The first thing to understand is that this is a fungal infection which breeds best in dark and damp places. Though the infection itself is quite unnerving, ringworm treatments are available which cure the issue in a matter of two weeks. There are various ringworm treatments on offer. Throughout this site, we’ll review many products available to assist in recovery. Check out the tips below to discover how to treat ringworm the right way.
The tiena family of fungal infections are commonly referred to as ringworm, but there are different strains. More commonly noted as jock itch (tinea cruris), athlete’s foot (tinea pedis), they can also infect the body (tinea corposis) and scalp (tinea capitis).
What Is Ringworm?
First you have to understand that tinea is a fungal infection on the skin surface. The name comes from ancient times, when it was believed that a worm causes these infections. The medical term, tinea, which in Latin means `growing worm’. Doctors often use another word along with tinea to pinpoint where the infestation has occurred.
Fungi flourish in hot, moist conditions so they can be found in skin folds: in the groin and between the toes. This has lead to the belief that the fungi infection has come from common showers, locker rooms and swimming pools. This not quite true as many of the people who suffer with “jock itch” or “athlete’s foot” have not gone anywhere near these places.
There are fungi which thrive only on the skin, hair and nails of humans. Yet others are found on animals and in soil. Since these are also sometimes found on humans, it becomes tough to find the source of the fungi.
In some cases the fungi throw up round spots on the skin, but some don’t. Again, not all the round spots are a fungi infection. So it is important that the doctor examines the infection and the skin scrapings are cultured and identified. This would lead to the right treatment.
Preventing Future Tinea Infections
Prevention is the best cure for tinea. You need to take appropriate steps to see that you don’t, at any time, contract it. These steps will ensure that you don’t waste your money on treatment and better still are not troubled with an unsightly fungi infection. Click on the link at the bottom of this article to find out how to treat ringworm and prevent future breakouts.
The first step is to find out how bad a case of you have. Is it still the early stages when there is a rash or has it spread over a larger part of your body? If it is still in the initial stages, then the anti-fungal creams might work. But if there are spots or the infection covers a larger area of your body then it has to be treated with oral medication.
Over the Counter Ringworm Treatments
Over the counter anti- fungal cream brands such as Miconazole, Clotrimazole, Ketoconazole, and Terbinafine have been proved successful in the treatment of fungi infections. In the case of a milder infection, apply the anti-fungal cream over the affected area twice day for a period of 21 days or as per the manufacturer’s instructions. In the normal course, the tinea infestation does not last more than two weeks. But it is advised to continue with the cream for another week to be on the safe side.
Infections of the more severe nature will have to be treated with a course of oral medication, which should be taken once a day for a week or as instructed by the manufacturer. Though the oral medication is effective and often makes the infection go away quite fast; experts advise that this medication should be taken only if the issue is severe. Terbinafine and Itraconazole are two of the better known anti-fungal oral medications which are available at the pharmacist.
If you wish to go in other ringworm treatments it is best you ask your physician, who will recommend the treatment which is right for you.