All about Ringworm
Infection
Fungal infections that
occur towards the outer surface of the skin are called as ringworm/s. The name
of this infection comes from the initial belief, wherein many believed that it had
been caused by a worm; which is not the case. The scientific term for ringworm
is “tinea”, which apparently comes from the Latin word, “Tinea” meaning “a
growing worm”.
Ringworm
infection affects people of all age
groups and is more common amongst children. It is a contagious infection and
spreads easily by getting in contact with the infected person or sharing
personal items such as toothbrushes, combs, towels and others. In other words, ringworm infection is easily transmitted, when an uninfected person is exposed
to the areas touched by the infected person such as pool surfaces or locker
rooms, etc. This infection also affects pets such as cats and dogs, who may in
turn become the carrier of this infection and spread it to those who are
uninfected. Ringworms affect several body areas at one shot.
Causes of ringworm infection are:
Even if the universe is
full of fungi, molds and yeasts, merely some lead to skin disorders. The “skin fungi” agents are known as “dermatophytes”
and the infection caused by these fungi are referred to as “dermatophytosis”.
Skin fungi survive by living on top of the lifeless keratin protein layer of the
skin. These fungi cannot survive on mucous membranes, such as the ones in the
vagina or mouth and are seldom known for invading deep into the body. The
scientific names of dermatophyte fungi that assist in spreading ringworm infection are:
·
Epidermophyton floccosum
·
Microsporum canis
·
Trichophyton interdigitale
·
Trichophyton mentagrophytes
·
Trichophyton rubrum
·
Trichophyton tonsurans
The
following are the different types of tinea or ringworm infection:
1.
Tinea barbae: This type of ringworm infection affects the bearded
spot such as the neck and face accompanied by swelling and noticeable crusting.
Patients with this type of infection often suffer from constant itchy skin in
the bearded area.
2.
Tinea capitis: This type of tinea is
more common amongst children especially the ones in adolescence or late
childhood. It affects the scalp and generally spreads via children in schools
when come in contact.
3.
Tinea corporis: This type of ringworm infection usually, affects the outer layer of the skin and
repeatedly creates spots forming a circle.
4.
Tinea cruris: This type of infection is
referred to as ringworm of the groin or “jock itch”. It is reddish-brown in
color and expands from the thighs to the groin area.
5.
Tinea faciale (faciei): Here, the
infection affects the whole face excluding the bearded spot, wherein it causes scaly
red patches, by means of vague edges.
6.
Tinea manus: In this case, it affects
the hands, palms, especially in between the spaces of one’s fingers.
7.
Tinea pedis: This type of ringworm infection is commonly known as Athlete’s foot and causes inflammation
and scaling in the toe webs, particularly in between the fourth and fifth toes.
An additional type of tinea pedis includes scaling or thickening of the skin on
the soles and heels.
8.
Tinea unguium: This type of fungal
infection affects one’s fingernails and, more frequently, makes the toenails crumbly,
yellow and thick.