First let’s clarify what ringworm is. Ringworm as we know it is a disease of the skin, hair or finger (toe) nails caused by superficial fungi such as Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton flocculentum, Trichophyton purpureum and other infections, such as ringworm of the head, ringworm of the body, ringworm of the femur, ringworm of the hands and feet, ringworm of the flowers, ringworm of the nails, etc. This type of disease is mainly caused by direct contact with patients, ringworm-afflicted livestock such as dogs and cats, or indirect contact with clothing contaminated by patients; it can also occur from self-infection (first suffering from ringworm of the hands, feet, nails, etc.); people who have been using glucocorticoids for a long time or have diabetes or chronic wasting diseases are also prone to ringworm. Of course, a warm climate, humid environment, and frequent exposure to alkaline detergents are more conducive to the development of this disease. Generally speaking, the disease tends to flare up or worsen in the summer, and then lessen or subside in the winter. In addition to the diseases we have described above, there are also some other diseases that we usually hear called “ringworm”, such as ringworm of milk, ringworm of peach, psoriasis, ringworm of red, ringworm of axillary hair, etc. So, are these “ringworm” diseases also caused by fungal infections? Is it also effective to use ringworm medicine? Next, I’ll give you a brief introduction to each of them. Ringworm is a common folk name for ringworm, which is roughly equivalent to baby eczema. It usually begins to appear 2 to 3 months after birth and mostly occurs on the cheeks, forehead, scalp, and in severe cases on the trunk and extremities as well. Generally, it can be divided into three types: one is the exudative type, mostly seen in the white, fat baby who eats milk, initially erythematous, later small dotted papules, herpes, very itchy, herpes broken, exudate outflow, dry and form a scab. The rash is often symmetrically distributed; second is the dry type, this type is mostly seen in thin and small babies, that is, there is a small amount of gray-white bran-like flaking on the small papules, dry skin and no exudation; third is the seborrhea type, the basic characteristics and exudation type is similar, characterized by small papules oozing yellowish fatty liquid, and later a thick yellow greasy scab, to the top of the head and between the eyebrows, next to the nose, behind the ears and other parts of the sebaceous glands developed, but the itching is not obvious. However, the itching sensation is not too obvious. The cause of ringworm in babies is complex, but it is usually thought to be closely related to specific allergies, and family members of babies with ringworm often have a history of allergic diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, hives, and eczema. The treatment of this disease depends on medication on the one hand, and diet and daily care on the other hand are crucial. Peach Blossom Ringworm In March, peach blossoms smile at the spring breeze. It is literally known that peach fungus mostly occurs in spring. This is the common folk name for some facial scaly skin diseases. It may include diseases such as pityriasis albuginea and seasonal contact dermatitis. This is because of the warm spring, bright sunshine, increased ultraviolet content, air suspended pollen, willow and other particles, for adolescents and some people with high skin sensitivity, the exposed facial skin will appear a series of inflammatory reactions, manifested as itching, erythema, flaking, etc.. Among them, white pityriasis, also called simple pityriasis, is mostly seen in children and adolescents. The onset of the disease may be related to dry skin and wind and sun and other external factors. The manifestation is the facial multiple size round or oval light red spot, afterwards gradually becomes the light white spot, above has the tiny furfur-like scales, generally no abnormal feeling. Most of the disease starts in the spring and fades in summer and autumn. Seasonal contact dermatitis is an allergic skin disease caused by pollen, willow, etc. It is more common in women than men. The rash is mostly confined to the face and neck, with mild erythema, papules, flaking and itching, and can recur every year in spring and autumn. All diseases in this category can be treated with antihistamines, glucocorticoid creams, and herbal medicines that clear heat and dispel wind. Psoriasis, the “big name”, is a household name for its stubborn, intractable and recurring nature, and has even been borrowed to describe the various types of small advertisements that are difficult to clear in cities today. The actual what is psoriasis, many people may know very little about it. Psoriasis is actually the common name for psoriasis, a common chronic inflammatory skin disease that is stubborn and recurrent. Typical skin lesions can be summarized in sixteen words: “red rash, silvery white scales, film phenomenon, and punctate bleeding.” The specific manifestation is a red maculopapular rash, or expanding to form patches, covered with multiple layers of silvery-white scales, gently scraping away the scales, a layer of light red shiny film is visible, called the film phenomenon. After scraping off the film, small blood spots can be seen, which is called punctate bleeding phenomenon. In the progressive stage, a similar rash can often appear at the trauma or injection eye, called isomorphic reaction. Many psoriasis patients are afraid to go to public places to participate in activities for fear of being eyed by others. In fact, no one has been able to culture fungi or detect the presence of bacteria in psoriasis lesions, while long-term clinical observation has not found psoriasis to be contagious. As for the cause of its pathogenesis is still not very clear, may be related to polygenic inheritance. In addition, the occurrence, aggravation, remission and cure of psoriasis are closely related to mental tension and psychological stress, and belong to the category of physical and mental diseases. Mental tension and make the body metabolic imbalance, the body immune function disorder. All these factors are affecting the changes of the disease from different aspects. As for its treatment, there are now many methods, from retinoids to antitumor drugs, from corticosteroids to immunomodulators, from a wide variety of topical preparations to photochemotherapy, and traditional Chinese medicine from the motherland, all of which have some efficacy, but still cannot achieve a radical cure. Erythrodermic ringworm Erythrodermic ringworm, which sounds as if it should also be a type of ringworm caused by a fungus, is actually caused by a pathogenic bacterium called microscopic rod-shaped bacillus, a type of bacteria. This bacterium is often found in the nose, pharynx, conjunctiva, external ear canal, and skin surface. When conditions are suitable, such as warmth and humidity and skin damage, it can invade the cuticle of the skin and cause infection. The disease can occur at any age, but is more common in male adults. The rash is a well-defined, irregularly bordered patch that is initially red and later turns brown. New lesions are smooth, while old lesions are wrinkled or have furred scales. It occurs unilaterally or bilaterally in the inner femur, groin, armpit, and submammary skin folds, and is usually without conscious symptoms, but is easily irritated by friction in the groin, which can cause pruritus and mossy changes, and is easily confused with ringworm. In patients with diabetes or other debilitating diseases, generalized erythrodermatitis may also be seen, and the rash may be widely distributed over the trunk and extremities. Oral erythromycin, 0.25 grams each time, 4 times a day, is preferred for the treatment of erythrodermic ringworm and can be used for 2 weeks to obtain a clinical cure, and another 2 weeks if necessary. Topical sulfosalicylic acid ointment can be applied topically, but the disease is prone to recurrence after cure, and recurrence can be prevented if antibacterial soap is used regularly. Axillary ringworm Axillary ringworm is also not ringworm, but is caused by a bacterial infection that is caused by a pathogenic bacterium called Corynebacterium ciliatum, which generally does not invade the hair roots or the skin. Patients may notice a yellow, black, or red coating around the hair shaft of their armpit or pubic hair in the summer, with yellow being the most common. These wrappings can be hard or soft, small nodular or diffuse, making the hair shaft brittle and easily broken. The skin of the affected area is normal, but usually sweaty. The sweat may be yellow, black or red due to the color of the encrustations. There are usually no conscious symptoms, and patients often discover them unintentionally. Treatment of this disease should begin with shaving the affected axillary and pubic hair and topical application of 5% sulfur cream or 1% formalin solution. Keeping the area clean and bathing regularly is an effective measure to prevent and treat this disease. As we know from the above, ringworm is not always caused by fungal infections, and ringworm medication does not solve all ringworm diseases. If you or a friend or relative has similar skin or hair damage, please do not use topical medication without permission, but go to the hospital first and ask your doctor to make a clear diagnosis and then carry out targeted treatment under his or her guidance.