Microsporia in humans is quite common. This is an infectious disease of fungal origin, which is better known as ringworm. Pathogenic microorganisms, as a rule, affect skin tissues and hair, less often - nail plates. In any case, a sick person needs medical attention.
Microsporia in humans and its causes
As already mentioned, the cause of this disease is a fungal infection, namely a fungus of the genus Microsporum. The source of infection can be either an infected person or a sick animal. The fact is that on the affected areas of the skin, as a rule, scales form under which fungal spores accumulate - this is how the infection spreads.
You can see that the household transmission path is quite possible. Disputes can be "picked up" when sharing bed linen, clothes, towels, combs, as well as while caring for sick animals. Once on the surface of the skin, the fungus quickly penetrates into the tissue - this is how microsporia occurs in humans. The incubation period may be different, but, as a rule, the first symptoms appear within 1-2 weeks. By the way, spores of pathogenic microorganisms remain active in the environment for many months.
Microsporia in humans: photos and symptoms
As already mentioned, fungal parasites most often affect the skin (including the scalp), destroy hair and bulbs, and occasionally even switch to the nails of the hands and feet. In most cases, a round focus inflammation center appears on the skin - this area acquires a reddish tint and rises slightly above the surface.
As the disease progresses, the affected area of the skin becomes covered with white, grayish or yellowish scales. If the fungus affects the scalp, it quickly switches to the hair follicle, resulting in its destruction. Subsequently, the hair becomes dry and dull, lose strength and fall out.
When the nail plate is damaged, a white spot appears on the tip of the nail - here the tissues become thinner, become soft and gradually collapse.
In some cases, microsporia in people is accompanied by suppuration, as a result of which you can see numerous small pustules on the skin that open up over time - their contents are released, forming yellowish crusts. Most often, the disease is accompanied by itching and burning.
Microsporia in humans: treatment methods
As a rule, therapy includes the use of external antifungal agents. To treat the skin, special ointments are used: Terbinafine, Clotrimazole, etc. Sulfuric, tar and sulfuric-salicylic ointments are also considered useful - these agents have antiseptic properties and accelerate the regeneration process.
If the infection affects the scalp, then special shampoos, masks, gels and even aerosols for hair are used. In particular, drugs containing ketoconazole, such as Nizoral, are considered effective. In more severe cases, systemic therapy is required, which involves the use of external agents, as well as the use of antifungal drugs.
With severe inflammation, doctors prescribe special hormonal ointments.