Exploring the ringworm infection

Exploring the ringworm infection

What you need to know:

  • Tinea pedis causes itching, scaling, flaking and sometimes blistering of the affected areas. It can be picked from swimming pools, showers and require a moist environment to incubate.
  • The inside of a shoe is suitable therefore.
  • It is for this reason that people are advised to keep feet dry, limiting use of enclosed shoes.

The ringworm in adulthood is perhaps one of the most embarrassing diseases one could have. For one reason, it is often associated with dirtiness. The ringworm is often referred to as “oluwumu” or “ekisente”.
Tinea, according to www.medlineplus.gov, is a name of a group of diseases caused by certain microorganisms referred to as fungus.
Types of tinea include the ringworm, athlete’s foot and jock itch. It is not described as serious but is perhaps one of the tricky infections to get rid of. It can be picked from touching an infected person, damp surfaces such as shower floors or from pets.

Sharing clothes, towels, footwear, infection from one body part to another and bathtubs among others are all ways through which this can be transmitted.
The infection tends to spread to areas of the skin kept warm and moist with say clothes, body heat and perhaps sweat.
The ringworm is therefore not caused by a worm. It is described as a red skin rash that that forms a ring around normal looking skin.
The kind found on the scalp is said to cause itchy red patches on the head. It leaves bald spots and as many can attest, it often attacks children.

Athlete’s foot causes itching, burning and cracked skin between one’s toes while Jock’s issue causes an itchy, burning rash in the groin area. Tinea pedis affects the foot, tinea unguium, the nails, tinea manuum, the hand, tinea curis, the groin, tinea corporis, the body, tinea capitis, the scalp, tinea faciei, the face; tinea barbae, the beard (barber’s itch) often from animal to human transmission.
Tinea faciei is said to appear as a red rash on the face followed by patches of small raised bumps and is contagious by touch, spreading to other regions of the skin.
Tinea capitis appears as single or multiple patches of hair loss and may be accompanied by swelling, scaling, itching and pus on the scalp.

Tinea pedis causes itching, scaling, flaking and sometimes blistering of the affected areas. It can be picked from swimming pools, showers and require a moist environment to incubate.
The inside of a shoe is suitable therefore. It is for this reason that people are advised to keep feet dry, limiting use of enclosed shoes.
Next week, we will tackle what medicines to use for any of the above.

The author is a pharmacist