RINGWORM (Tinea Infection) |
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General Information
DEFINITION--Fungus (tinea) infection of the skin or scalp. This is transmitted by person-to-person contact or by contact with infected surfaces, such as towels, shoes or shower stalls. TINEA
CORPORIS affects the non-hairy skin of the body. TINEA
CAPITIS affects the scalp.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMSRed, itchy, circular, flat, scaling lesions with well-defined borders. They cause patchy hair loss on the scalp.
CAUSES & RISK FACTORSInfection with TINEA CORPORIS or TINEA CAPITIS fungus. Infection is most likely when combined with the following:
Diabetes mellitus.
Exposure to darkness, moisture and warmth.
Crowded or unsanitary locker-room or living conditions.
Repeated abrasion of the skin or scalp from friction with clothing and protective gear. An athlete is especially vulnerable during hot weather when exercising while wearing an athletic uniform or head covering such as a swimming cap, football helmet or baseball cap.
HOW TO PREVENTThe fungi are so prevalent that total prevention is impossible. To minimize risk:
Avoid continuous exposure to overheated humid environments.
Don't touch pets that have skin problems.
WHAT TO EXPECT
DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES
Your own observation of symptoms.
Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.
Microscopic exam of skin scrapings suspended in potassium hydroxide solution.
Laboratory culture of skin scrapings.
SURGERYNot necessary nor useful for this disease.
NORMAL COURSE OF ILLNESSUsually curable in 6 weeks with treatment, but recurrence is common. Ringworm becomes chronic in 20% of cases.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONSSecondary bacterial infection of ringworm lesions.
HOW TO TREAT
NOTE -- Follow your doctor's instructions. These instructions are supplemental.
MEDICAL TREATMENTNone necessary after diagnosis.
HOME TREATMENT
Observe rules of locker-room hygiene (see Appendix 4).
Don't use towels used by others.
Boil or chemically sterilize all clothing, towels or bed linens that have touched the lesions.
Keep the skin dry. Moist, dark areas favor fungus growth.
Wear cotton underwear. Change more than once a day. Avoid tight clothes.
If the area is red, swollen and weeping, use salt-water compresses (1 teaspoon salt to 1 pint water). Apply 4 times a day for 2 to 3 days before starting the local antifungal medication.
Shampoo the hair every day.
Have the hair cut short, but don't shave the scalp. Place large sheets of paper under and around the hair and chair to catch all the clippings. Place a cloth drape around the shoulders, chest and back. Don't wear street clothes for a haircut. Wear something that can be sterilized, such as pajamas, a housecoat or smock. Repeat this procedure every 2 weeks for 6 months.
MEDICATIONYour doctor may prescribe oral or topical antifungal drugs, such as imidazole creams and lotions applied twice a day for 1 month.
ACTIVITYNo restrictions.
DIETNo special diet.
CALL YOUR DOCTOR IF
You have symptoms of ringworm.
Ringworm lesions become redder, painful and ooze pus.
Symptoms don't improve in 3 or 4 weeks, despite treatment.
New, unexplained symptoms develop. Drugs used in treatment may produce side effects.
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