What is
Ringworm?
Ringworm is a fungal
infection affecting the skin, hair and nails and is spread from animals,
humans or the environment.
Different
forms of Ringworm?
Different forms of
ringworm, such as microsporon audouini only affect man. Tinea
verrucosum affects cattle, although it may be passed to man and
affects the scalp causing circular patches and hair in the infected areas
to break off. Microsporon felinum affects dogs and cats and man
secondarily.
Tinea corporis, or tinea
circinata is ringworm affecting the body. The symptoms include patches
of redness and scaling similar to eczema with spreading rings and blisters
or scaling edges. This is more common nowadays as a result of the wide use
of topical corticosteroids.
In tinea pedis, known
as athelete’s foot, the skin behind and between the toes is especially
affected.
Onychomycosis is ringworm
of the nails usually caused by trychophyton rubrum.
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Conventional
treatment
This involves a course of
an anti-fungal agent, griseoflavin, or the more current drug, itraconazole
for at least 6 weeks.
