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Medical Treatments For Stubborn Ringworm

By Brandon Shax

Republish: EasyPublish™ Published: 10Mar2012 Word count: 1349 Viewed: 39 time(s) Get Free Content For Your Site

Ringworm, also known as tinea, is a fungal infection that occurs on the epidermis, the top layer of the skin. It is caused by a parasitic microorganism called dermatophytes. Dermotophytes are mold-type fungi, which cause skin to become itchy and red.

Ringworm appears on the skin as a red circular rash but with normal, healthy skin in the middle of the rash. This physical characteristic is how ringworm gets its name.

Ringworm treatment usually takes approximately four weeks. Because it is contagious, it is prudent to know how it spreads, thereby eliminating the chance of reinfection once the treatment starts to take effect. It can be spread from direct human to human contact in which an individual comes in contact with the skin of an infected person.

The infection can also occur from touching or petting animals, such as dogs, cats, horses, goats or pigs with ringworm. In addition, ringworm can occur by touching objects that an infected person has touched, including, but not limited to, combs, brushes, linens and clothing.

Many ringworm sufferers wonder how to get rid of ringworm. Depending upon the severity of the infection, individuals can use over the counter skin ointments, which normally treats the condition within four weeks.

Apply anti-fungal medications, such as lotions, powders and creams that contain clotrimazol, which is found in Lotrimin, Cruex cream and Desenex cream. Alternative options are miconazole, found in over the counter Derm cream and Monistat, terbinafine, found in Lamisil as well as ketoconazole and naftifine.

Keep in mind that ringworm treatment does not just include topical cream or lotion applications, but must be combined with completely sanitizing any areas that ringworm has come into contact. For instance, wash bedding, linen and any nightclothes daily during the treatment, make sure infected pets are treated and lessen irritation by not allowing clothing to continuously rub against infected areas.

If the ringworm is not responding to topical solutions, many times an anti-fungal pill will solve the dilemma. It is recommended to see a health care provider if the infection increases in severity.

This includes swelling, pus, fever, or if the patches become redder. In addition, if the rash spreads to the hair, scalp or genitals, if the rash comes back, or if an individual with ringworm is diabetic or has any disease that weakens the immune system he or she should meet a doctor.

In these cases, physicians will prescribe antibiotics for any staph or strep infections as well as administer systemic treatment for the fungus. Ringworm treatment will consist of oral medications at this stage.

Anti-fungal oral medications commonly used are griseofulvin, which is prescribed as Gris-PEG, Fulvicin or Grifulvin. In addition, doctors also prescribe fluconazole, terbinafine or itraconazole to fight ringworm orally. It usually takes approximately three months for these systemic treatments to effectively treat ringworm.

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