Ringworm is a dangerous fungal infection of the human skin. In advanced cases, this pathology can lead to complete hair loss. The disease is widespread, it ranks second among all fungal diseases. This is due to the fact that the disease is very easily and quickly transmitted. You can get infected both from sick animals and from people. Often the patient does not notice the first signs of skin lesions, especially if the fungus affects the scalp. It is very important to detect the disease in time. Otherwise, the infection will spread and the person may lose a significant amount of hair.
Pathogen and transmission routes
The causative agents of pathology are 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", independing on the type of pathogen. Ringworm is a generalized popular name for these two pathologies.
The fungus is transmitted from a sick person through contact with his skin. In this case, the spores of the pathogen pass to the epidermis of he althy people. Infection is also possible through contact with objects used by the sick person. These are towels, washcloths, nail 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 those leading a vagrant lifestyle. The infection is transmitted by contact with their fur. Most often, people become infected when stroking animals.
The pathogen enters the epidermis and is introduced into the skin cells. There he actively breeds. If there is a hair follicle near the affected area, then the fungus grows into it. Over time, it occupies the entire space of the follicle. The spores begin to break down 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 for ringworm in animals can be very long - up to 3 months. At this time, no symptoms of the disease can be noticed, but the cat or dog is already contagious. In small kittens and puppies, fung althe infection can proceed for a very long time without obvious manifestations.
In the acute period of the disease, the animal develops areas of baldness on the coat. They may be covered with scales or crusts. The animal often itches. Changes in well-being are not always noticeable, as pets often endure this disease easily. People don't 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.
Disease types
The incubation period for ringworm is from 5 days to 1.5 months (about 7 days on average). 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. There are the following forms of the disease:
- trichophytosis or microsporia of the scalp;
- trichophytosis or microsporia of smooth skin areas.
In the first case, the pathology proceeds with the destruction of the hair, and in the second - with the appearance of lichen rashes on the skin.
Symptoms of illness on the head
In the initial stage of ringworm on the head, signs of the disease may be subtle. A person's condition of the hair deteriorates sharply, they become dull, brittle and inelastic. The hair is losing volume. At the same time, hair damage is noted not on the entire area of the head, but on separate areas that have been exposed to the fungus.
Then the hairare destroyed. At the same time, they do not fall out, but break off at a length of about 0.5 cm. These foci look like areas cut with scissors (hence the name of the disease). Bald spots appear on the head. The skin on the affected areas turns red, swells and flakes, scales form. You can see a white coating that looks like flour. Patches of baldness can be up to 10 cm in diameter. Affected areas of the head are surrounded by a red border.
If a person has contracted 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. There are many small patches on the head with hair broken almost to the root.
Very often, a visit to a doctor occurs only with severe symptoms of ringworm in a person, when there is already a significant loss of hair. Patients rarely associate the deterioration of the condition of the hair at the initial stage 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 advanced and bacterial complications have arisen, then it is sometimes very difficult to restore the hair.
Signs on the body
Ringworm on the body is manifested by red rashes of a round shape. As the pathology develops, these spotsbecome like plaques in the form of a ring. The fungus exists due to skin proteins. As soon as the nutrition ends, it spreads further along the epidermis. Therefore, ring-shaped plaques increase in diameter and grow. In the center of the ring, the skin looks he althier, and at the edges it is surrounded by a bright red border. Photos of lichen rashes can be seen below.
Plaque usually occurs in a limited area of the skin. Their growth is slow. This fungal infection is different from other types of rashes.
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 lesions can fester, which usually occurs in immunocompromised people. Such a sign indicates that bacteria have joined the fungal infection.
How pathology manifests itself in children
Children often get this disease. Infection usually occurs while playing with animals. In a sick baby, in most cases, the general condition does not change. Ringworm on the head of a child 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 on the head and on the body is sometimes characterized by more severe symptoms. fungal infectionmay be accompanied by an allergic reaction and inflammation of the skin, in which case the disease proceeds in an erythematous-edematous form. Children constantly experience skin itching and burning, their temperature rises, lymph nodes increase. Because of this, babies become restless and whiny.
Lichen foci in severe form of the disease become scarlet and covered with bubbles. Their surface is constantly wet due to seepage of blood. Eruptions are very prone to suppuration. If the disease occurs with such symptoms, then the child should be placed in a hospital. It is very difficult to cure the erythematous-edematous form at home.
Diagnosis
What to do with ringworm? It is necessary to consult a dermatologist or an 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. With the help of a small scalpel, the scales are carefully scraped off from the foci of baldness or rashes on the body. The material is sent to the laboratory for microscopic analysis. If particles of the fungus are found in it, then the diagnosis is considered confirmed. In addition, the material is sown on nutrient media. If a scraping is taken from a sick person, then the fungus actively multiplies.
- Study of the hairline. With the help of tweezers, a few hairs are taken for microscopic analysis. The presence of the fungus is then detected in the laboratory.
- Examination withusing a Woods lamp. This device with ultraviolet radiation helps to identify skin pathologies. In a darkened room, the specialist illuminates the affected areas on the head and body. If the causative agent of the disease is the 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.
Topical treatments
Treatment of ringworm in a person should be handled by a specialist. It is impossible to get rid of this disease with folk remedies. Self-medication can only lead to the pathology becoming chronic.
If there are single lesions on the head or on the body, then outpatient treatment can be carried out. 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 the dosage prescribed by the 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 medication is not recommended for facial skin lesions.
- "Lamisil". This drug in the form of a cream stops the growth of the fungus. Improvement usuallyoccurs within a week after the start of treatment.
- "Mycospor". The ointment acts on 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 "Yodicirin". Contains iodine and glycerin. The drug promotes the healing of the epidermis and the release of scales.
Hormonal corticosteroid ointments 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 drugs
In advanced cases of ringworm, topical medications are combined with oral antifungals. Complex therapy is used if there are several large lesions 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 causative agent of ringworm. Tablets should not be taken withoutconsult a doctor, as they have side effects. Children are usually prescribed the drug "Lamisil" as the most gentle.
The course of complex treatment usually takes 1-1.5 months. After that, it is necessary to pass an analysis for the fungus. If microorganisms are found again 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 their hair. This process may take several months. Its duration depends on the degree of damage to the follicles.
Usually, after the destruction of the fungus and the healing of the skin, the hair is restored on its own. During this period, it is useful to use means that promote their growth: rub the head with garlic or onion juice, as well as burdock oil. First, vellus hair appears on bald areas, this is considered a good prognostic sign. Then the hairline becomes more rigid and is restored to its previous volume.
Folk remedies
Home treatment for ringworm should only be done after consulting a doctor. It is impossible to get rid of this disease only with folk 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 infused for 9 days. With this remedy, lichen foci are wiped 4 times a day. Treatment should be repeated for 10-14 days.
- Infusion of chamomile. 20 g of dried flowers of the plant are placed in300 g of boiling water and incubated for 45 minutes. This remedy helps with hair damage. The infusion should be rubbed into the areas of baldness, and after 1 hour, rinse with water.
- Beet-honey ointment. Medium-sized beets are boiled and grated. The resulting mass is mixed with a small amount of honey. The composition is applied to lichen foci three times a day. This remedy is especially useful for lesions of the body and face.
- Recipe for lilac and acacia flowers. 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 tool wipe the affected areas every 8 hours.
It is important to be careful when using home remedies for ringworm. Folk remedies of plant origin cause an allergic reaction in some patients, which can aggravate the symptoms of the disease.
Forecast
This disease is not life-threatening and does not cause serious he alth 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 running and bacteria join the fungi, then inflammation and pustules form on the skin. In this case, it is not always possible to restore the hair, and bald spots may remain even after treatment.
Disease prevention
Prevention of ringworm is to prevent the infection of fungal infections. sicka person needs to wash their hair daily with special antifungal shampoos. Cover your hair with a scarf to avoid infecting others.
It is important to remember that fungal spores can remain for 1-3 months on all objects that the patient has come into contact with. Linen and clothes of a sick person should be washed separately from things of other family members. In this case, you need to use disinfectant detergents and apply the boiling mode. After washing, things are ironed with a hot iron.
In the room where the patient lives, it is necessary to carry out daily cleaning with the use of disinfectants. Fungus spores accumulate in large numbers on upholstered furniture. Therefore, such surfaces must be covered with a protective film.
If a he althy person had contact with a sick person, then you need to take preventive measures to reduce the risk of infection. It is necessary to treat the head with Nizoral antifungal shampoo and thoroughly wash the face and body with laundry or tar soap. The more fungus particles are washed away, the less likely it is to become infected. You can treat the skin with lavender or tea tree oil, 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 the pathology in the early stages.
Contact with stray cats and dogs should be avoided. Especially it is necessary to protect small children from communication with street animals. If your pet has increased hair loss,then you need to visit the veterinarian immediately. While doing this, avoid touching the animal's fur, this will help reduce the risk of infection.
