If you notice round, red, scaly patches on your skin, or if you have jock itch or athlete’s foot, you may have ringworm, a highly contagious fungal infection. Dr. David Graham at Silver Leaf Dermatology in Edmond and Enid, Oklahoma helps you combat ringworm and teaches you how to prevent future infections. The men, women, and children who live in Edmond and its surrounding neighborhoods can have their rashes evaluated by the expert Silver Leaf Dermatology team and receive treatment to prevent the spread of ringworm.
Ringworm Q & A
What is ringworm?
Ringworm, also known as tinea, is a fungal skin infection that manifests as a rash. Although the rash may have a raised, scaly, red border that resembles a worm, it isn’t caused by or related in any way to worms.
How can I tell if I have ringworm?
Ringworm can appear anywhere on your body. Depending on the location of this infection, ringworm can present as blisters, a rash, or ring-like patches. Ringworm lesions tend to be itchy, and this condition spreads if you don’t seek treatment.
The official name of ringworm changes depending on where it’s present:
- Palms of the hands, tinea manuum
- Nails, tinea unguium or onychomycosis
- Feet, tinea pedis (athlete’s foot)
- Groin, tinea curis (jock itch)
- Scalp, tinea capitis
Ringworm is highly contagious. When you get treatment for ringworm, you also reduce the risk that you will spread it to somebody else.
What are some risk factors for ringworm?
You’re more susceptible to ringworm if you have a compromised immune system. Other risk factors include:
- Being obese
- Sweating heavily
- Playing contact sports
- Living in close quarters
- Touching an infected person, pet, object, or soil
- Living in the tropics or hot, humid weather
- Sharing personal items, such as razors and clothes
- Using a public shower or sauna without wearing shoes
What are the best treatments for ringworm?
Dr. Graham treats ringworm with prescription antifungal medications. Most ringworm responds to this course of treatment, but severe cases require oral medication, such as terbinafine or griseofulvin.
If you have ringworm on multiple areas of your body, treat all the areas simultaneously. You must also be diligent about taking your medication as prescribed to prevent recurrence. Other tips include washing your hands frequently and keeping the infected areas clean.
How can I prevent ringworm?
You minimize your risk by adopting good hygiene practices, such as showering after you work out and changing your clothes daily. You should also avoid sharing personal items, such as razors and towels.
Seek immediate treatment for jock itch, athlete’s foot, a nail infection, or other forms of ringworm. Contact Dr. Graham and the experts at Silver Leaf Dermatology today.