Tinea corporis
Ringworm term is a misnomer for the disease as it is nothing to do with worms. Tinea corporis is a skin infection that is caused by mold like fungi that live on the dead tissues of your skin, hair and nails .
Tinea corporis is usually caused by Trichophyton or Microsporum. The infection generally causes pink to red, round patches with raised scaly borders that tend to be clear in the center. It can develop anywhere on the skin and can spread rapidly to other parts of the body or to the other people with whom there is close bodily contact.This condition is common and highly contagious, but it’s not serious.
Symptoms –
• Ring or circular shaped rashes with edges that are slightly raised.
• Skin in the middle of the rash appear healthy.
• Itching
• Sometimes blisters and pus filled sores near the rings.
• In severe infection ,these ringworms can multiply and merge together.
Causes –
A group of fungi called dermatophytes causes ringworm to appear. Dermatophytes line off a substance called keratin ,a tissue found in many parts of a person’s body including the nails, skin and hairs. Ringworm of the body is called tines corporis.Some related ringworm fungal infections are called –
• Tinea pedis , commonly called athlete foot.
• Tinea cruris , known as jock itch.
• Tinea capitis , known as ringworm of the scalp
Predisposing Factors –
Children are more prone to infection as compared with adults. Other factors for tinea corporis are as follows –
• Poor nutrition
• Excessive sweating in hot and humid climate.
• Chronic disease with compromised immunity.
• Poor hygeine, poor living conditions.
• Diabetes
• Patients having corticosteroid and immune suppressing agents.
• Participating in contact sports.
• Wearing tight clothing.
• Sharing infected persons clothing, bedding or towels.
How does it spreads ?
• Person to person –
Through direct contact with the skin of a person infected with ringworm.
• Pet/ animal to person –
This can happen when you come in contact with an infected pet .Both dogs and cats can spread the infection.
• In animate item to person –
Through indirect contact with objects like hair of an infected person , bedding , clothing ,towels and floor.
Diagnosis –
Treatment –
Over the counter topical fungicidal medications are usually enough for treatment .The medication may be in the form of a powder , ointment or cream . Some of these medications are –
• Clotrimazole
• Miconazole
• Terbinafine
• Tolfaftate
Complications –
It is not serious usually , becomes complicated rarely only if it spreads below the surface of the skin.
Prevention –
• Avoid sharing towels ,hats ,hair brushes and clothing of a infected person.
• Take your pet to a veteranary doctor if suspected ringworm .
• If you have the body ringworm maintain good personal hygiene and avoid scratching your skin.
• Take astringent ,bitter and light food.
• Use warm water to bath instead of cold.
Ayurvedic Perspective –
According to Ayurveda fungal infection comes under Kshudrarogas. Generally there is kapha predominance with raktadushti. It is correlated to Dadru of Kshudrarogas .Severe itching indicated increased kleda of Kapha in rakta and ras dhatu. Kapha and dushit rakta manifest in the skin and cause accumulation of toxins . These toxins accumulate in deeper tissues and causes contamination and aggravated kapha/vata dosha leads to ringworm.
Causes According to Ayurveda –
• Excess intake of seafood.
• Heavy food intake.
• Intake of sour curd with milk for long period of time.
• Excess intake of black gram.
Treatment –
1) Shodhan –
If the condition is severe and disease is chronic in nature.
2) Some effective herbs –
• Bakuchi –
• Tuvrak –
• Jati –
• Nimba –
• Haridra –
• Hartala –
3) Some effective Medications –
• Gandhak Rasayan
• Aarogyavardhini vati
• Haridrakhand
• Ras Manikya
•Khadirarhishta
• Jatyadi oil
• Nalpamaradi oil
4) Home Remedies –
• Mix 10 gm of turmeric in 100 ml of neem oil. Apply it over the skin lesions, 30 minutes before bath everyday.
• Tulsi has antifungal properties.
Take 10 fresh leaves of holy basil and crush to extract juice .Mix a pinch of turmeric powder in it and apply over the affected skin area for 10 days continuously.
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