Ringworm/Dermatophytosis Treatment
Introduction
Ringworm or dermatophytosis has been prevalent for along time and its treatments date as far back as 1906. The disease was most prevalent during these times due to poor hygienic conditions and poor quality of life in general. During this era the condition was treated by use of compounds of iodine, sulfur and even mercury. The treatment of hairy parts of the body was difficult and as a result the scalp was treated by the use of x-rays and later followed up by treatments of anti-parasitic medicine. Ringworm is a disease that is caused by fungal infections (Onselen & Hughes, 2000).
There are different types of fungal species that cause ringworms and these include Trichophyton violaceum, T. tonsurans, T. mentagrophytes and T. verrucosum. The common genera involved in the disease are microsporum and trichophyton (Medicinenet.com, 2011). The name ‘ring worm’ was perhaps derived from the characteristic ring that the fungi form on infected skin., and the denotation is thus a misnomer because the medical condition is not caused by parasitic worms. This is the outward layer of the nails, hair and skin. The fungi are mostly found on moist and warm skin where it is known to thrive well because of the favorable conditions in such skin. The fungi may also survive well in the interiors or outer parts of the skin shaft.
Origin and infection of ringworms
The fungi causing ringworms is highly contagious and can be passed from person to person through direct contact of the skin. The fungi and most of its infections mainly originate from domesticated animals such as pets, cattle and sheep. The fungal species that cause dermatophytes feed on the keratin in the skin and therefore, thrive on moist and warm parts of the animals’ skin (Onselen & Hughes, 2000). The fungus is able to thrive on animal’s skin and hair. A person may also get the fungal infection through physical skin contact with an infected individual or personal items belonging to an infected individual such as clothing, beddings and towels. The disease mainly attacks three parts of the body tinea cruris (groin), the feet (tinea pedis) and the scalp (tinea captitis) (Medicinenet.com, 2011).
Signs and symptoms of ringworms
Ring worm causes an itchy feeling on the affected skin. The first signs of infection are itches on the affected skin. The itchy skin later turns reddened and scaly. As the affected scratches the skin bald patches develop if the affected skin is on hairy skin (Onselen & Hughes, 2000). In a typical case the itching continues and the patches of infection begin spreading to other parts of the body if not treated, with a characteristic itch on the affected spots of the skin.
Treatment of ringworms
The treatment of ringworms is done both on the skin and systemically through oral administration of drugs such as itraconazole, fluconazole or terbinafine. For effective treatment on hairy parts or on pets, the hair on the infected area has to be clipped. Clipping hair helps in reducing the sporic fungal load so that treatment can be easily carried out. However, close shaving is not recommended because nicking on the outer skin may cause further extension of infection (Medicinenet.com, 2011).
Prevention of ringworms
Pets are the common vectors of the disease and as such they should always be treated and properly cleaned to avoid infection from their bodies being passed on to man and surfaces within the home. Bathing the pets twice per week for 4 to 8 weeks in a diluted solution of lime sulfur is recommended and effective in preventing and controlling the fungi. All surfaces within household may also be washed with sodium hypochlorite to kill and existing spores. Animal fur or hairs should be vacuum cleaned to prevent the spread of spores and the sharing clothing, and personal items such as combs and towels with infected people should be discouraged (Onselen & Hughes, 2000).
References
Medicinenet.com (2011),. Ringworms, retrieved on 7th May, 2011 from http://www.medicinenet.com/ringworm/article.htm
Onselen, V. J. and Hughes, E. (2000),. Dermatology nursing: a practical guide, 2nd edition. Elsevier Health Sciences
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