Ringworm how many people are affected

It is not recommended for use in children, elderly people or those with severe liver disease. Side effects of itraconazole can include:.

Read about how to stop ringworm spreading or coming back. Fungal nail infections can be treated with antifungal nail paint, but it also often requires antifungal tablets.

These tend to work better than nail paints, although they can cause side effects, such as headache, nausea and diarrhoea. Read more about treating fungal nail infections. The advice outlined below will help to stop fungal infections from spreading. The fungi that cause tinea infections can survive on items such as furniture, hairbrushes, clothing and towels, and can be spread through contact with these items. Therefore, if someone in your household has a fungal infection, you should:.

If you suspect that your pet is the source of the infection, take them to your vet for treatment. Patches of missing fur is a sign that an animal has ringworm. Always wash your hands after touching a pet with the infection. If someone in your family has a fungal infection, there is no need for them to stay off work or school.

However, treatment should be started as soon as possible. Good personal hygiene should also be followed to stop it spreading to other children. Find out how to treat fungal infections. Home Illnesses and conditions Infections and poisoning Ringworm and other fungal infections.

Ringworm and other fungal infections See all parts of this guide Hide guide parts 1. About ringworm and other fungal infections 2. Symptoms of ringworm and other fungal infections 3.

Causes of ringworm and other fungal infections 4. Diagnosing ringworm and other fungal infections 5. Treating ringworm and other fungal infections 6. Preventing ringworm and other fungal infections. About ringworm and other fungal infections Ringworm is a common fungal infection that can cause a red or silvery ring-like rash on the skin. Tinea fungal infections There are different types of tinea fungal infection, based on the affected area of the body: ringworm tinea corporis — affecting the body fungal nail infection onychomycosis — affecting the nails athlete's foot tinea pedis — affecting the feet jock itch tinea cruris — affecting the groin tinea capitis — affecting the scalp Ringworm usually looks like a round, red or silvery patch of skin that may be scaly, inflamed and itchy, but other fungal infections may present themselves slightly differently.

Who is affected? Treatment Most ringworm infections are mild and can be treated using a pharmacy antifungal cream. Stopping it spreading It's important to prevent the infection spreading. Symptoms of ringworm and other fungal infections The symptoms of a tinea fungal infection depend on where the infection is. Ringworm on the skin The symptoms of ringworm include: a ring-like red or silvery rash on your skin — your skin will look red and irritated around the ring, but healthy inside scaly, itchy and inflamed skin In more severe cases: the rings may multiply, grow in size and merge together the rings may feel slightly raised and the skin underneath may be itchy blisters and pus-filled sores may form around the rings The ring spreads outwards as it progresses.

Face and neck ringworm Ringworm on the face and neck may not appear ring-shaped, but may be itchy and swollen, and it can become dry and crusted. Hand ringworm Ringworm on the hand often causes the skin to become thicker on the palm and in between the fingers. Fungal scalp infection tinea capitis The symptoms of a fungal scalp infection include: small patches of scaly skin on the scalp, which may be sore patchy hair loss an itchy scalp In more severe cases: small, pus-filled sores on the scalp crusting on the scalp bald patches if your hair is affected In very severe cases, a large inflamed sore called a kerion may form on your scalp.

In more severe cases, you may have: cracked skin in the affected area blisters , which may ooze or crust swelling of the skin a burning or stinging sensation in your skin scaling patterns around your sole, between your toes and on the side of your foot Jock itch tinea cruris The symptoms of jock itch include: red-brown sores, which may have blisters or pus-filled sores around the edge itchiness and redness around your groin area, such as your inner thighs and bottom the genitals are not usually affected scaly, flaky skin on your inner thighs Exercising, walking and wearing tight clothing or underwear can make the symptoms of a groin infection worse.

Fungal nail infection onychomycosis The symptoms of a fungal nail infection include: a whitish thickening of the nail discolouration the nail can turn white, black, yellow or green the nail can become brittle and start to fall off the skin around the nail may be sore and irritated Read more about fungal nail infection.

Causes of ringworm and other fungal infections Tinea fungal infections are caused by a particular type of fungi, called dermatophytes, which live off keratin. How it spreads The fungi are tiny spores tough enough to survive for months on your skin, in soil or on household objects, such as combs or towels.

The spores can be spread in four different ways: human-to-human contact human-to-animal contact — for example, by stroking an infected dog or cat human-to-object contact — both animals and humans can leave traces of fungi spores on objects and surfaces, such as towels, clothing, bed linen, combs or brushes human-to-soil contact — less commonly, it can develop after lengthy exposure to infected soil As an adult, you can become a carrier of a scalp infection without developing any symptoms.

Risk groups You are more likely to develop a fungal infection if you: are very young or very old are African-Caribbean in the case of scalp infections have type 1 diabetes are very overweight obese have a medical condition that weakens your immune system, such as HIV or AIDS are receiving medical treatment that weakens your immune system, such as chemotherapy or steroid tablets have had fungal infections in the past have hardened arteries atherosclerosis have poor circulation specifically, a condition called venous insufficiency, where the veins in your legs have trouble moving blood back to your heart.

Diagnosing ringworm and other fungal infections Ringworm and other tinea fungal infections are usually easy to diagnose from their appearance and location.

Fungal scalp infections Your GP will usually be able to diagnose a scalp infection after examining your scalp. Ringworm and other fungal infections Most fungal infections can be diagnosed by your GP after examining your skin and asking whether you have other related symptoms. Treating ringworm and other fungal infections Most tinea fungal infections, including ringworm, are easily treated by using antifungal creams, tablets or shampoo.

Treat groin and feet together Groin infections can sometimes occur at the same time as athlete's foot. Fungal scalp infections Scalp infections are usually treated using antifungal tablets, often alongside an antifungal shampoo. There are two main types of antifungal tablet: terbinafine griseofulvin The antifungal medicine that your GP prescribes will depend on the type of fungi causing the infection.

Terbinafine tablets Most people with fungal scalp infections are prescribed terbinafine tablets to take once a day for four weeks. Side effects of terbinafine can include: nausea diarrhoea indigestion rashes These side effects are usually mild and short-lived. Griseofulvin Griseofulvin is a type of antifungal medicine that prevents fungi from growing and multiplying. Side effects of griseofulvin can include: nausea vomiting mild diarrhoea headache indigestion However, these side effects should improve as your body gets used to the medicine.

Antifungal shampoo Antifungal shampoo cannot cure scalp infections, but it can help to prevent the infection spreading and may speed up recovery. Minor skin injuries such as scratches , too much exposure to heat and humidity, and some health conditions such as diabetes, obesity , or immune system problems can make a person more likely to develop it. A doctor can often diagnose ringworm just by looking at it and asking questions about the symptoms and the child's lifestyle.

Sometimes the doctor will scrape off a small sample of the flaky infected skin to look at under a microscope or to test in a laboratory. Using over-the-counter OTC antifungal creams, sprays, or powders may solve a mild infection. Ringworm on the nails or scalp usually is treated with medicine taken by mouth for 1 to 3 months. An antifungal shampoo prescribed by the doctor can help prevent the spread to other people. Your child should use the medicine as long as is recommended, even if the rash seems to be getting better.

If not, the infection can come back and spread to other parts of the body. To help heal the skin, it's important to keep the affected area clean and dry.

Your child should:. Most mild cases of ringworm usually clear up in 2 to 4 weeks. But treatment might be needed for up to 3 months if the infection is more serious, or affects the nails or the scalp. Reviewed by: Michelle P. Tellado, MD. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. What Is Ringworm? What Causes Ringworm? Is Ringworm Contagious? Ringworm can spread: from one person to another by skin-to-skin contact, especially in warm, damp environments to other areas of the body if a person touches the affected area and then touches other body parts, such as the hands from animals to people How Do People Get Ringworm?

How Is Ringworm Diagnosed? People who use public showers or locker rooms, athletes particularly those who are involved in contact sports such as wrestling , people who wear tight shoes and have excessive sweating, and people who have close contact with animals may also be more likely to come in contact with the fungi that cause ringworm. People can get ringworm after contact with someone who has the infection.

People can get ringworm after touching an animal that has ringworm. Many different kinds of animals can spread ringworm to people, including dogs and cats, especially kittens and puppies. Other animals, like cows, goats, pigs, and horses can also spread ringworm to people. Infection in animals may not always be obvious. This fungus can also live on surfaces, particularly in damp areas like locker rooms and public showers.