What does ringworm look like, and what is the medication for it? How does it spread?

Linda

Ringworm, or tinea corporis, is a fungal infection of the skin. It is caused by a variety of molds. Depending on the species, these infections can be acquired from the soil, other humans or animals. The mold releases spores, which infect the skin by somewhat obscure means. Since the spores can live for months in the environment, person-to-person contact is not needed to spread the fungal infection. The same fungi that cause ringworm cause athlete's foot, fungal nail infections and jock itch.

Ringworm can have a variable appearance, and the infection is often confused with a variety of other skin conditions, including eczema and psoriasis. The typical lesion is a round scaling patch with a raised margin. There is a variable amount of inflammation. The edge of the lesion may contain small blisters or papules (small bumps), Some ringworm lesions are quite thick, and some are red. A physician can confirm the diagnosis by scraping the lesion and culturing the material (growing it in the laboratory).

The treatment of ringworm should usually start with topical therapy. More than a dozen topical antifungal creams are on the market, and they are probably roughly equivalent in effectiveness. The treatment should be continued for two to four weeks. In some cases of ringworm, especially those affecting the scalp, oral medication is necessary. Griseofulvin (Fulvicin) was the mainstay of therapy for these infections in the past, but the side effects of this drug limit its use today. Itraconazole (Sporanox) and terbinafine (Lamisil) are commonly given for difficult cases when topical therapy is not appropriate. These oral medications are also effective against nail infections, which were once very difficult to eradicate.