Here we answer a few questions that concern many patients.
Question 1: How does ringworm come about and is it contagious
Tinea corporis refers to a fungal infection of the skin in the groin, perineum, perianal area, and buttocks, and is a type of ringworm that occurs in specific areas of the body. It is mainly caused by infections of Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton spp. and Trichophyton epidermidis, and sometimes Candida albicans can also invade. These dermatophytes grow in a warm and humid environment, so ringworm is active in the summer and is often aggravated by a humid or hot climate, and is relieved or cured in the winter.
The disease is transmitted through direct or indirect contact, and can also occur through self-infection (preceded by ringworm of the hands, feet, nails, etc.). It can be transmitted by contact with a patient with ringworm or through cats or dogs; indirectly through clothing and utensils; or by scratching and spreading from tinea pedis first; or through sexual intercourse, but more than 80% of ringworm is clinically transmitted through non-intercourse routes. In summer, especially in the beginning of summer, the climate is hot and humid, and the human body sweats a lot, especially within the femoral area. If you do not take a bath in time, or wear tight underwear a lot of sweat does not evaporate in time, it creates a warm and humid suitable environment for dermatophytes and makes it easy to get this disease. In addition, diabetic patients, women with excessive leukorrhea, and patients with long-term application of corticosteroids and immunosuppressants are also susceptible to this disease. It is mainly found in young people, mostly men, obese people and people who are prone to local sweating.
Question 2: What are the signs of ringworm?
Tinea capitis typically occurs in the groin, either unilaterally or bilaterally, and can sometimes involve the perineum, perianal area, buttocks, scrotal folds, and penis. Tinea cruris begins as a slightly elevated, well-defined erythematous plaque with a small amount of scaling, and the edges of the lesions expand outward and tend to fade centrally, forming a ring or multiple rings, which may be bordered by papules and papules. After healing, temporary hyperpigmentation may remain. Itchy itchiness is often evident due to the poor permeability, humidity, and friction of the affected area, and may lead to tinea cruris changes or secondary infection over time due to scratching.
Some patients with tinea cruris often use hormone-containing creams to apply topically, but when they start using them, they often have good results, and the inflammation quickly subsides and the itching is significantly reduced.
Tinea corporis also frequently affects the penis. It begins as a small, itchy papule that expands to form a circular or polymorphic lesion with a raised, circular edge and a flat center, and is commonly flaky. It is easily misdiagnosed as an STD.
Also ringworm should be distinguished from scrotal eczema, scrotal neurodermatitis, erythrodermatitis, and candidal intertriginous eruptions of the groin. When in doubt, the diagnosis can be confirmed by scraping the scales and examining them under a microscope if you see long, thin, branched, separated mycelium.
Question 3: How to prevent ringworm
1, pay attention to personal hygiene, do not share clothing, shoes and socks, bath tubs, towels, etc. with patients.
2, often bathe, change underwear, underwear should be ventilated and breathable, preferably cotton; and keep the vulva clean; often wash and dry clothes and blankets.
3. Pay attention to keeping the pubic area dry during the hot season, and wipe off sweat regularly; avoid wearing tight, heavy and non-breathable clothes such as jeans, leggings and pants.
4. If you have grey nails, goose paws, ringworm, etc., you should actively treat them to prevent them from being transmitted by hand to the pubic area.
5. Change sanitary napkins regularly during menstruation.
Question 4: How to treat ringworm
The treatment of ringworm is usually topical topical antifungal medication, and the course of treatment should be sufficient, usually applied until two weeks after the ringworm lesions have subsided, to ensure that the treatment is complete. It is also important to treat ringworm on other parts of the body such as ringworm of the hands and feet and nail fungus at the same time. The skin of the penis is thin and tender, so it is important not to use drugs that are too stimulating. The clinical herbal topical wash is also one of the effective ways to treat ringworm, it works fast, stops itching well and does not easily recur after cure. Experiments have confirmed that herbal medicines like Phellodendron, Atractylodes, Phyllanthus, Qing Mu Xiang, Tu Hibiscus, Mugwort, Pepper, Dioscorea, Bitter Ginseng, Tu Da Huang, White Alum, Fresh Fenugreek have good antifungal effects. The decoction of water, to be warmed with vinegar and washed externally 1-2 times a day for 20 minutes each time, has a good effect.
It should be said that as long as the diagnosis is clear, the treatment of ringworm is not very difficult, but because of the difference in the location where it occurs and the infection, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish it from venereal diseases, eczema dermatitis, etc. It is important not to use medication blindly so that the condition does not recur, adding to the mental and economic burden. So be sure to go to a hospital for a clear diagnosis and use medication under the guidance of a dermatologist.
Question 5: Can ringworm be cured?
It can be cured, but long-term prevention is necessary. If you want to cure ringworm, you must keep applying the medication patiently until two weeks after the rash has completely subsided, so that you can eradicate the root of the problem, and you must not stop the medication when it is slightly less itchy or slightly better to give the fungus a chance to breathe. Although antifungal creams do not stop the itching immediately like hormonal creams, with a little patience, the itching will naturally decrease as the fungus becomes less frequent over time, and it is important to build confidence in overcoming the fungus.
Because of the widespread presence of the causative fungus that causes ringworm, care should be taken to prevent reinfection even after eradication. Active treatment of diabetes and proper weight loss for obese people are also important for the prevention and treatment of ringworm.