Tinea Ringworm
Ringworm, aka Tinea, is a very contagious fungal infection that
occurs in the skin. Ringworm is very common, this especially
true among young children. Ringworm can be spread by
skin-to-skin contact, just like it can with contact with
contaminated items such as a hair comb. Part of the thing that
aids in the quick spread of ringworm is that a person can be
infected before they even show any of the symptoms, which means
that they are unaware, and have no chance of preventing the
spread of the bug.
Humans often times will contract ringworm from their pet
animals, such as cats and dogs. These animals are at greater
risk because of their lifestyles and that they are often
carriers of ringworm. Just like these animals are at risk it is
also known that people that are involved in contact sports such
as wrestling, or even hockey, football, and rugby. Basically any
instant where there is increased skin contact with a foreign
body raises the odds of the ringworm transmission.
Often times we overlook the numer of species in this fungi
family that cause ringworm. Different fungi will attack
different parts of the body. Common one's that I'm sure we have
heard on a day-to-day basis are: jock itch which has it's
affects the groin area, and athlete's foot which affects the
feet. There are several others, but those to are definitely to
of the most known.
Ringworm, once in full force, is easily to spot as it leaves
one, and often times more than one, red itchy patches on the
skin that are raised and have defined edges. These patches can
often times be lighter in the center, which makes the infection
take on the appearance of a ring. A good doctors can usually
diagnose ringworm at first sight. If this is not possible they
take a skin scraping. Examination of the scraping under a
microscope will usually be able to provide a correct diagnosis.