Ringworm is a dangerous fungal infection of human skin. In advanced cases, this pathology can lead to complete hair loss. The disease is widespread, it takes the second place among all fungal ailments. This is due to the fact that the disease is very easily and quickly transmitted. You can get infected from sick animals, as well as from people. Often, the patient does not notice the first signs of skin damage, especially if the fungus affects the scalp. It is very important to identify the disease on time. Otherwise, the infection will spread, and a person can lose a significant part of the hair.
Pathogen and routes of transmission
The causative agents of pathology are the fungi of the genera microsporum and trichophyton. They cause skin and hair lesions with very similar symptoms. In medicine, these diseases are called "microsporia" and "trichophytosis", depending on the type of pathogen. Ringworm is the generalized popular name for these two pathologies.
The fungus is transmitted from a sick person in contact with his skin. In this case, the spores of the pathogen pass to the epidermis of healthy people. Also, infection is possible by contact with objects used by the sick person. These are towels, washcloths, manicure scissors, combs and hair brushes, bedding. People with reduced immunity and skin wounds are more at risk of infection.
This disease affects not only people, but also animals (cats, dogs), especially leading a stray lifestyle. The infection is transmitted by contact with their hair. Most often, people become infected when stroking animals.
The causative agent enters the epidermis and invades the skin cells. There he actively reproduces. If there is a hair bulb near the lesion site, then the fungus grows into it. Over time, it occupies the entire space of the follicle. Spores begin to destroy the hairline.
Signs of disease in animals
How does ringworm manifest in animals? The insidiousness of this disease lies in the fact that cats and dogs may not have obvious signs of damage to the coat and skin. But at the same time, the animal is a source of infection for humans.
The incubation period of ringworm in animals can be very long - up to 3 months. No symptoms of the disease can be noticed at this time, but the cat or dog is already contagious. In small kittens and puppies, a fungal infection can take a very long time without obvious manifestations.
In the acute period of the disease, the animal develops areas of hair loss on the coat. They can be covered with scales or crusts. The animal often itches. Changes in well-being are not always noticeable, as pets often tolerate this ailment easily. People do not always associate hair loss in a cat or dog with a fungal infection. Contact with animals should be avoided if they show signs of baldness. This may be a sign of a dangerous highly contagious disease.
Types of disease
The incubation period of ringworm is from 5 days to 1.5 months (an average of about 7 days). Its duration depends on the type of fungus and on the state of immunity. At this time, the infection does not manifest itself.
Further symptoms of ringworm in humans depend on the location of the pathogen. The following forms of the disease exist:
- trichophytosis or microsporia of the scalp;
- trichophytosis or microsporia of smooth skin.
In the first case, the pathology proceeds with the destruction of hair, and in the second, with the appearance of lichen rashes on the skin.
Symptoms of the disease on the head
In the initial stage of ringworm on the head, signs of the disease may be subtle. In a person, the condition of the hair sharply worsens, they become dull, brittle and inelastic. Hairstyle is losing volume. In this case, hair damage is noted not on the entire area of the head, but on individual sites that have been exposed to the fungus.
Then the hair is destroyed. However, they do not fall out, but break off at a length of about 0.5 cm. These foci are similar to areas trimmed with scissors (hence the name of the disease). Zones of baldness appear on the head. The skin on the affected areas turns red, swells and flakes, scales form. You may notice a white coating that looks like flour. Patches of baldness can reach 10 cm in diameter. The affected areas of the head are surrounded by a red border.
If a person is infected with a fungus from an animal, then the signs of the disease are more pronounced. In this case, about 2-3 large areas of baldness appear on the head. If the disease is caused by human species of the fungus, then it proceeds with less pronounced symptoms. On the head, many small areas are formed with hair broken off almost under the root.
Very often, a visit to a doctor occurs only with severe symptoms of ringworm in a person, when a significant loss of hair appears already. At the initial stage, patients rarely associate deterioration of hair condition with a fungal infection. For this reason, treatment is not always timely. However, after a course of therapy, the hairline can be completely restored. The disease is caused solely by a fungal infection and there are no organic causes for baldness in this case. But if the pathology is too neglected and bacterial complications have arisen, then hair restoration is sometimes very difficult.
Body symptoms
Ringworm on the body is manifested by red rashes of a round shape. As the pathology develops, these spots become similar to plaques in the form of a ring. The fungus exists due to skin proteins. As soon as nutrition is over, it spreads further down the epidermis. Therefore, annular plaques increase in diameter and grow. In the center of the ring, the skin looks healthier, and at the edges it is surrounded by a bright red border. Photos of lichen rashes can be seen below.
Plaques usually occur in a limited area of the skin. Their growth is slow. This is a fungal infection different from other varieties of rash.
Itching of the affected areas is not observed in all cases. Most often, the disease is characterized only by the appearance of rashes. However, lichen foci can suppurate, this usually occurs in people with weakened immune systems. This symptom indicates that bacteria have joined the fungal infection.
How is the pathology manifested in children
Children quite often become infected with this disease. Infection usually occurs during games with animals. In a sick baby, in most cases, the general condition does not change. Ringworm on a child’s head is accompanied by the same symptoms as in adults. Bald patches appear on the head, covered with scales and crusts. The skin on them looks reddened and swollen. If the fungus affects areas on the body, then ring-shaped plaques form on the epidermis.
However, ringworm in a child’s head and body is sometimes characterized by more severe symptoms. Fungal infection can be accompanied by an allergic reaction and inflammation of the skin, in this case, the disease proceeds in an erythematous-edematous form. Children constantly experience itchy skin and burning sensation, their temperature rises, and lymph nodes increase. Because of this, the kids become restless and crying.
Lichen foci with a severe form of the disease become scarlet and become covered with vesicles. Their surface is constantly wet due to leakage of blood. Rashes are very prone to suppuration. If the disease proceeds with such symptoms, then the child should be placed in a hospital. It is very difficult to cure the erythematic-edematous form at home.
Diagnostics
What to do with ringworm? It is necessary to consult a dermatologist or infectious disease specialist. This disease must be differentiated from other types of baldness, as well as from eczema, psoriasis and other skin pathologies. After examining and collecting an anamnesis, the specialist prescribes the following types of examinations:
- Scraping from the affected areas of the body and head. Using a small scalpel, carefully scrape off the scales from the foci of baldness or rashes on the body. The material is sent to the laboratory for microscopic analysis. If fungal particles are found in it, then the diagnosis is considered confirmed. In addition, material is sown on nutrient media. If scraping is taken from a sick person, then active reproduction of the fungus occurs.
- Examination of the hairline. Using tweezers, several hairs are taken for microscopic analysis. Then, in the laboratory, the presence of the fungus is detected.
- Inspection with a Wood lamp. This ultraviolet device helps to identify skin pathologies. In a darkened room, a specialist illuminates the affected areas on the head and body. If the causative agent of the disease is a microsporum fungus, then a blue-green glow appears. If the pathology is caused by trichophyton, then in the light of the lamp the lichen foci have a pale blue tint.
Local remedies
A person should be involved in the treatment of ringworm in a person. It is impossible to get rid of this disease by folk remedies. Self-medication can only lead to the fact that the pathology becomes chronic.
If there are single lesions on the head or body, then outpatient treatment can be performed. Inpatient therapy is necessary for extensive lichen foci, as well as in the presence of bacterial complications.
For the treatment of infection, local antifungal agents are used: ointments, gels and solutions. They are applied to the affected areas of the head and body in a dosage prescribed by a doctor. The most commonly used drugs are:
- Sulfur ointment and sulfur-tar ointment. Sulfur has bactericidal and antifungal properties. These ointments dry the skin and promote wound healing. Tar in the composition of ointments is also able to destroy the fungus and disinfect lichen foci.
- Salicylic ointment. It has antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. This drug is not recommended for use on facial skin lesions.
- Lamisil. This cream-like drug stops the growth of the fungus. Improvement usually occurs within a week after the start of treatment.
- "Mikospor". The ointment affects the fungus at the cellular level and destroys the infection.
- Mikogel. The drug destroys the shell of the fungus and leads to its death. This gel is useful for complications, as it also affects bacteria.
- Solution "Nitrofungin". It has powerful antifungal properties. It is applied with a cotton swab to the scalp or body.
- Solution "Iodicirin". Contains iodine and glycerin. The drug promotes the healing of the epidermis and the passage of scales.
Hormonal ointments with corticosteroids are used with great care. Doctors prescribe such drugs only if the patient is worried about itching. Hormones cause a decrease in the body's defenses, and the patient needs immunity to fight a fungal infection.
Oral preparations
In advanced cases of ringworm, topical preparations are combined with oral antifungal medications. Combination therapy is used if several large lesions are noted on the body or on the head. This means that the infection has penetrated deep into the hair follicles. The following drugs are prescribed:
- Griseofulvin;
- Orungal;
- Lamisil.
These drugs destroy the ringworm pathogen. Tablets should not be taken without consulting a doctor, as they have side effects. Children are usually prescribed the drug "Lamisil" as the most sparing.
The course of complex treatment usually takes 1-1.5 months. After this, it is necessary to pass an analysis for the fungus. If microorganisms are again found in the results of the study, then the therapy is repeated.
Hair restoration
After a course of treatment for ringworm, a person needs to restore hair. This process can take several months. Its duration depends on the degree of lesion of the follicles.
Usually, after destroying the fungus and healing the skin, the hair is restored on its own. During this period, it is useful to use tools that promote their growth: rub your head with juice of garlic or onion, as well as burdock oil. First, hairy hair appears on bald areas, this is considered a good prognostic sign. Then the hair becomes more stiff and restored to its former volume.
Folk remedies
Home treatment for ringworm is permissible only after consulting a doctor. It is impossible to get rid of this disease only with popular recipes. Such funds can only be an addition to the main drug treatment.
You can use the following recipes:
- Propolis tincture. 50 g of propolis is poured into 200 ml of alcohol and insisted for 9 days. With this tool, lichen foci are rubbed 4 times a day. Treatment should be repeated for 10-14 days.
- Camomile tea. 20 g of dried flowers of the plant are placed in 300 g of boiling water and incubated for 45 minutes. This remedy helps with hair damage. Infusion should be rubbed into the bald patches, and after 1 hour, rinse with water.
- Beetroot ointment. Beets of medium size are boiled and ground on a grater. The resulting mass is mixed with a small amount of honey. The composition is applied to lichen foci three times a day. This tool is especially useful for damage to the body and face.
- Recipe from flowers of lilac and acacia. You need to take 100 g of fresh inflorescences of each plant and pour 300 g of alcohol and 10 g of apple cider vinegar. The composition is insisted for a week. This means wipe the affected areas every 8 hours.
It is important to be careful when applying homemade ringworm recipes. Folk remedies of plant origin in some patients cause an allergic reaction, which can aggravate the symptoms of the disease.
Forecast
This disease is not life threatening and does not cause serious health problems. However, it negatively affects the appearance of a person. Fungal infection can be cured. If ringworm is detected in the early stages, then the hair is completely restored. But if the disease is started and bacteria join the fungi, then inflammation and pustules form on the skin. In this case, hair restoration is not always possible, and bald spots may remain after treatment.
Disease prevention
Ringworm prophylaxis is to prevent infection of fungal infections. A sick person needs to wash his hair daily with special antifungal shampoos. In order to avoid infection, surrounding hair must be covered with a headscarf.
It is important to remember that the spores of the fungus can remain for 1-3 months on all objects with which the patient was in contact. Underwear and clothes of a sick person should be washed separately from the things of other family members. In this case, you must use disinfectant detergents and apply the boiling mode. After washing, iron the items with a hot iron.
In the room where the patient lives, it is necessary to carry out daily cleaning with the use of disinfectants. Fungal spores accumulate in large quantities on upholstered furniture. Therefore, such surfaces must be covered with a protective film.
If a healthy person has had contact with the patient, then preventive measures must be taken to reduce the risk of infection. It is necessary to treat the head with Nizoral antifungal shampoo and thoroughly wash your face and body with household or tar soap. The more particles of the fungus are washed away, the less chance of infection. You can treat the skin with lavender oil or tea tree, these substances have antifungal properties. 5-7 days after contact with a sick person, you need to visit a dermatologist. The doctor will conduct an examination using an ultraviolet lamp, this will help to identify pathology in the early stages.
Contact with stray cats and dogs should be avoided. Especially it is necessary to protect young children from communicating with street animals. If the pet shows increased hair loss, then you need to urgently visit a veterinarian. In this case, you should avoid touching the animal’s hair, this will help reduce the risk of infection.