The condition called ringworm is from a fungal infection and is not really from worms. The reason that is called ring worm is because of the red ring of raised skin that it causes, having a light middle to it. The middle of the ring might appear as a blister, it may ooze, and the skin around it might have a rough textured appearance.
Ringworm appears many different ways, and this is why it can be confused with eczema, psoriasis, and other conditions of the skin. The amount of inflammation that occurs may differ in each instance. There might be blisters on the edge of it or tiny bumps, the lesions might be thick, and they may be red. Only a doctor will be able to tell if it is ringworm, and he may do this by gently scraping some of the inflamed area off and growing it in a lab as a culture.
Ringworm that is affecting the skin starts as a red, patch or bump. Ringworm has a tendency to be very itchy and can make the victim quite uncomfortable. In a short period of time, it may begin to take the appearance of a ring or a series of rings with bumpy, raised and scaly borders (the center is often clear). This pattern of rings is how the term "ringworm" originated, but not all who are infected develop these rings.
You can get ringworm by coming in contact with another person or animal that is infected with it. Ringworm can spread through pets and people can also be infected if they touch an surface or object that was previously touched by an infected person or animal. The kinds of objects or surfaces that may be infected are locker room floors or towels, which is the reason that ringworm is spread so easily by athletes.
When ringworm is found on the feet, it is called "athlete's foot." The reason is because athletes get this condition when they are at the gym or in the locker room, where it is warm and damp and can spread easily.
The good news in all this is that it's pretty easy to care for ringworm. When humans get ringworms, they might have to use treatments that are topical or oral, and sometimes they may have to use both.
Most often, you will handle ringworm with topical treatments. There are over a dozen of these types of creams available and they all work about the same. You should use the cream for up to four weeks. Sometimes when a person has ringworm, particularly if they have it on their head, they will need to take oral medication. You can get ringworm on any part of your body, but if it is on your head, some of your hair may come out. This is also true if it appears where your beard or mustache is.
It used to be that patients with ringworm took Griseofulvin , but because of the side effects associated with it, it is not commonly used today. When the topical creams do not work on the ringworm, doctors often prescribe Lamisil or Sporanox. These medicines not only help treat ringworm, but also work with difficult to treat infections in the nails.