Ringworm Symptoms & Diagnosis
Ringworm is a fungal infection that can show up almost anywhere on the body. Although ringworm involves no worm, one of its symptoms may be a ring-shaped rash. The symptoms of ringworm depend on the part of the body infected. Specific types of ringworm include tinea pedis, or athlete's foot; tinea manus; tinea capitis, which affects the scalp; tinea barbae; tinea faciei; tinea cruris, or jock itch; and tinea corporis.
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Feet and Hands
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Athlete's foot and tinea manus (ringworm of the hands) are both characterized by areas of cracked and flaking skin, seen most commonly between the toes in the former and on the palm and between the fingers in the latter. In some cases, the fungal infections may show up as a thickening (hyperkeratosis) of the skin in affected areas. Intense itching usually accompanies the rash in both of these types of ringworm. Although less common, blistering may occur.
Scalp
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The first signs of tinea capitis are likely to be spotty hair loss and a generalized itching of the scalp. Round lesions may develop on areas of the scalp and spread outward. Less common is the appearance of kerions, pus-filled lesions that eventually may crust over, or tiny black dots that are scattered across the surface of the scalp.
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Face and Neck
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Tinea barbae and tinea faciei are forms of ringworm that affect the face and neck, although the former is always confined to the areas in which the beard grows. Areas of itchy rash are likely to develop in both forms, with the inflammation gradually worsening and eventually crusting over. The characteristic circular shape of ringworm infection is rarely present in these two types. Tinea barbae might be accompanied by patchy beard loss.
Jock Itch
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Jock itch is most common in adolescent and adult males, although it can occur in women too. The first sign of this infection is usually intense itching in and around the groin and buttocks, particularly in areas of skin folds and sometimes extending down the thighs. Areas of inflammation are likely to appear, gradually developing into red, scaly welts.
Tinea Corporis
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Tinea corporis usually first shows up as a target-shaped rash somewhere on the trunk of the body. There may be a single area of skin irritation or several such rashes. The greatest area of irritation and itchiness in these rashes is on their outer periphery; the skin inside the circular rash may remain unaffected.
Diagnosis
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Doctors often diagnose the various forms of ringworm solely on the basis of a visual examination of the lesions. If the doctor is uncertain about the cause of your rash, he may take a skin scraping so that it can be studied microscopically to determine conclusively if a fungal infection is present.
Treatment
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Ringworm in all its various forms is usually treated with topical antifungal creams or ointments. It's important to keep infected areas clean and dry. Avoid all close contact with others as all forms of ringworm are highly contagious.
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