In the article, we will talk about a disease that is known as lichen. Microsporia in humans occurs both in childhood and in adulthood. What is this disease, why does it occur, and also what are the symptoms inherent in the disease? It must be borne in mind that the sooner therapy is started, the easier it will be to cure the patient.
Description of the disease
Microsporia in humans, the photo of which is presented in the article, is an infectious disease. It arises as a result of the vital activity of microorganisms such as microsporia. It was in honor of them that the disease itself was named. You need to understand that this disease is contagious. Especially often it affects children, because, due to their small age, they do not take good care of their hygiene. Also, this disease is seasonal. Most often, relapses occur in the summer and autumn. In winter, the number of patients with such diagnoses is greatly reduced.
Causes and mechanisms of the disease
Before you consider how to treat microsporia in humans, you need to find out the causes of its occurrence. It should be noted that therapy depends on them. This disease is quite common. In popularity, it is second only to fungal diseases that affect the feet. It should be noted that the pathogen, getting into the tissue, begins to multiply very quickly. The described disease most often occurs on the scalp, as well as the skin. Fungal spores can easily sprout into the hair bulb. Because of this, the infection spreads quite quickly, then the cuticle is destroyed.
Methods of transmission of infection
Before you understand how to treat microsporia in humans, it is necessary to understand the methods of its transmission. The most common cause is contact with infected animals or with humans. Often this disease is a cat or dog. That is why children get sick more often than adults. They are indifferent to pets. Hand washing is a procedure that every third child ignores.
It is quite easy to notice microsporia in an animal, because there are basic signs. Foci of inflammation are found on the paws, ears and muzzle. However, some representatives of domestic animals may not have external manifestations. Microsporia of a person’s skin can be transmitted through everyday “communication”. Very often, the scales of this disease accumulate on the skin. When they enter the external environment, they are able to persist for up to three months. That is why, if a person uses joint things, such as bedding, towels, toys and so on, then you can become infected, even if the patient has already recovered.
Main symptoms
Be sure to consider what are the symptoms of microsporia in humans. It should be noted that the manifestations are quite aggressive when compared with other diseases. The incubation period lasts no more than 7 days. First, a reddish spot appears on the skin, which is a reaction to the ingestion of a fungus. But every day it increases in size, and also differs by the presence of clear boundaries. Over time, a roller will form around the edges, which rises above the tissues. The focus of inflammation will take the form of a ring due to the fact that with the course of the disease, the tissues will begin to fade. The skin will become flaky.
If we talk about subjective sensations, then in the affected area itching can be observed, but it is not strong. A person may appear several foci. If left untreated, they will greatly increase, and over time, they will affect all healthy areas of the skin. Most often, severe inflammation already at the initial stage of microsporia in humans occurs only in women and children. Mostly the fungus affects the neck, chest and shoulders.
Scalp problems
It should be noted that microsporia is able to affect the scalp, as a rule, of children who are between the ages of 5 and 12 years. However, this does not mean that in a healthier adult age it is impossible to become infected. As with microsporia of smooth skin, a person has reddish spots that swell over time. Most often, with the disease, there are two foci at once. They are located in the temporal region, as well as on the crown of the head. May appear on the top of the head. Their diameter is up to 5 cm. They have fairly clear edges, the skin is very peeling. After a week, hair problems appear. At first they become brittle and brittle, and then break and begin to fall out. The fracture line is often located up to 5 cm from the skin. That is why this microsporia is called ringworm.
Diagnostic Methods
Before starting treatment of microsporia in humans, it is necessary to pay attention to diagnostic methods. Given that the symptoms of this disease are quite characteristic, the first suspicions of a specialist appear immediately at the first examination. However, it is still necessary to conduct certain studies.
In order to identify the type of pathogen, as well as understand which drugs will allow it to be eliminated, it is necessary to sow a dispute. For this, an artificial nutrient medium is used. Be sure to conduct a microscopic examination. If we are talking about the defeat of smooth areas of the skin of a person, then they necessarily take the scales of the dead epithelium. If it is a ringworm, then use hair for diagnosis. Using special equipment, a specialist detects spores and finds out what kind of mushrooms a person is sick with.
The simplest testing method is the luminescence method. It is carried out in a dark room using a Wood lamp. If we are talking about fungi, they will glow bright green.
Treatment methods
This article provides photos of microsporia in humans. The initial stage is less serious, so therapy should be started when the first symptoms appear. How quickly and easily the disease can be overcome depends entirely on the stage and severity of the disease. As a rule, lichen, formed on smooth surfaces of the skin, is cured with the help of special ointments that are intended to fight fungi. The most commonly used are Bifonazole, Terbinafine, and so on.
Also, these areas can be treated with iodine, which can dry the skin and act as an antiseptic. Some doctors recommend the use of salicylic ointment, tar and sulfur. They have antiseptic properties, are also able to restore the skin and act as an anti-inflammatory agent.
If we are talking about lichen that has affected the scalp, then the therapy will look a little different. It is necessary to use antifungal drugs, and it is also important to wash your hair at least twice a week. If the process is very widespread, then doctors recommend shaving off the hair. Thanks to this, you can achieve effective results.
Systemic treatment is needed only in severe cases. In this case, a specific antibiotic called Griseofulvin is prescribed. It is created from mold fungi. In order to speed up the healing process, you can use antifungal drugs, immunomodulatory, and so on.
Also, the use of traditional medicine is not ruled out. During treatment, a person needs to be completely isolated from the world due to the fact that microsporia in a person is quite contagious. Treatment can be carried out both in the hospital and in the outpatient clinic. But in this case, the main thing is to constantly change and wash the laundry, to give the patient his personal belongings and hygiene products, as well as to constantly disinfect the room in which he is located.
Complications of the disease
If the right therapy is picked up on time, then no complications will arise. Most often, the consequences are associated with a lack of therapy or with a very weakened immune system. Most often, alopecia occurs as a complication. Any bacterial infections may also appear. If this happens, then the affected areas will be severely inflamed. Pustules may also appear.
Suppuration
Even if a person’s microsporia has turned into a purulent form, the treatment regimen still remains the same. However, first of all, it is necessary to use antiseptic and anti-inflammatory ointments in order to reduce inflammation. Next, the doctor prescribes non-steroidal drugs. If such therapy does not give a result, then hormonal agents are prescribed. Taking antibiotics is only appropriate if a severe bacterial infection or severe suppuration develops.
Preventative measures
In order for a person to never have microsporia, preventive measures must be followed. This is pretty important. If you do not comply with hygiene standards, then the problem can spread quite quickly. There is currently no vaccine for this disease. That is why it is important to calculate patients in time and isolate them from other people.
In children's groups should be examined, especially if one child has already been hospitalized with this diagnosis. All household items must be disinfected. Especially if there is a risk that they could remain controversial. You also need to constantly tell your child that playing with stray animals is not allowed. If we talk about pets, then you must constantly take them to the veterinarian.
Atypical forms of lichen
In humans, microsporia can occur that affects the nails. It is characterized by the fact that closer to the edge of the cut a spot appears, which eventually gets a white color. The lesion becomes quite painful, and the nail becomes soft and crumbles. If the treatment of the disease is carried out incorrectly, then a complication occurs, which is characterized by suppuration. Against the background of the focus, crimson-cyanotic nodules appear, as well as pustules. Body temperature and lymph nodes may also increase.
Weighted microsporia is a form that occurs chronically against the background of serious diseases in the form of arthritis and tuberculosis. Moreover, against the background of peeling, other serious manifestations may occur. Fragments of hair can be up to 15 mm, which is quite dangerous. The hairline on the head becomes quite sparse.
Another atypical form is a disease that affects the pubis. It should also be noted that during sexual contact this disease is easily transmitted to the partner. Given that there is an extensive network of blood vessels in this area, spots appear and affect the labia, hips and lower abdomen. An infection associated with bacteria can also join, as a result of which purulent crusts will appear.
Alternative treatment
In order to get rid of the disease, it is necessary to use complex treatment, including alternative methods. For external use, you can use porridge from onions and garlic. It is necessary to pass their slices through a juicer. Next, the mixture to be obtained must be applied to the foci of inflammation two to three times a day.
A good option would be calendula. It is advisable to use not an ointment, but a tincture of its flowers. It is necessary to wipe the affected areas of the skin with it. You can do this up to 5 times a day. Continue therapy before all symptoms have completely disappeared.
You can also use black poplar bark. Water is taken in a proportion of 5 to 1, respectively. You can also use it for external use. It is allowed to lubricate up to 4 times a day. Every day, you need to carry out this procedure until the symptoms completely disappear.
Tincture can be prepared from birch buds. To do this, take them and alcohol. They are mixed in a proportion of two teaspoons of kidneys per 300 ml of alcohol. Next, you need to let this mixture brew for about 2 weeks. This tincture is used only in appearance. Apply every day to the affected areas no more than 5 times. Such folk remedies will help cure the disease.