Ringworm is a common skin disease usually acquired by people who play contact sports such as wrestling. It may also occur on your pet animals particularly in cats and dogs. It is caused by particular fungi species found in skins, hair and nails. This is perhaps the reason why ringworm occurs in those areas in addition to warm and moist part of the human body. These specific types of fungi feed upon the dead cells of skin called dermatophytes. It is a misnomer and misconception that ringworms are caused by typical worms that you see on the ground. No, they are not! It only looks like worms in a ring shape thus the name ringworm.
What Ringworm Does Look Like?
Ringworm shape is circular and sometimes oblate. It is covered with scales and patches. Animal ringworms vary in shapes and most often, they are characterized by grayish color, dryness and patches.
The swelling around the infected area makes it itchy and irritated. Moreover, redness will follow. Ringworm in the scrotum or called scrotal ringworm has its own shape. It will cover usually the entire skin under the male genital organ. It sometimes emits fluid like substance that makes it moist and when it becomes dry, scales will follow.
Several skin diseases look like ringworm because of the similarity of their symptoms and appearances. Diseases like Psoriasis, Eczema, Vitiligo, Saborrheic Dermatitis, Granuloma Annulare and simple Skin Allergies are some of them. Swelling, redness, itchiness, scales and patches are common to all of them.
Ringworm treatment is simple and easy. If you are infected with this disease, you can treat it at home. Using over the counter anti fungal ointments and cream, one can eradicate fungal infection within a couple of weeks. For ringworms in the scalp, anti-fungal shampoos are the best treatment. Scrotal ringworms require more treatment that is extensive and can last for a month. Although ringworm is not a life-threatening disease, it can lead to a more serious health problem if left untreated because it might spread all throughout the body. Proper medical attention and medication is highly required in order to avoid serious health condition.
