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  4. Facts about ringworm
Smiling woman in white sweater happy after Canesten ringworm treatment

Is There a “Worm” in Ringworm?

Learn about how ringworm spreads, its causes, symptoms, treatment options, and more.

What is ringworm?

Firstly, and fortunately, ringworm has nothing to do with worms. It’s more commonly known in Filipino as buni and medically as tinea corporis. Ringworm is a fungal infection of the top layer of your skin.1 It normally shows up as a red or silver rash that can be scaly, dry, swollen or itchy.2 The lesion caused by this infection looks like a worm in the shape of a ring, which is where its name comes from.1 The rings usually spread outwards as they progress, while the center may heal and go back to a normal color. It can appear anywhere on the body, including the scalp (tinea capitis), groin (jock itch) or foot (athlete’s foot). Ringworm on the face or scalp may lead to patchy hair loss.2

How Does it Spread?

Ringworm is contagious, and you can catch it through close contact with contaminated objects like bedsheets, combs or towels, an infected person, animals or – in rare cases – through infected soil.3 It can also be spread from, and to, different parts of your body. The infection is commonly spread among children, and it also occurs in people who own cats and dogs. Animals can catch ringworm and pass it to humans through touch.4

Who can get it?

The fungi responsible for ringworm can easily enter the top layer of your skin if it becomes soft and wet from prolonged water exposure, or if you have minor injuries or abrasions. You are also more at risk if you use public showers or swimming pools, as fungi thrive in moist and warm environments. You can also catch buni if you share hairbrushes or clothes with an infected person.

Ringworm symptoms

You may have ringworm if you notice:

  • Round patches of skin with a red raised edge and a clearer center.

  • Scaly and itchy skin.

  • Redness and scaling at the edge of the rash (inflammation)

  • Raised and blistered skin (this is a symptom of a more severe ringworm infection

  • Multiple ring-like rashes (this is a symptom of a severe infection

  • Inflamed pus-filled sores (this is a symptom of a severe infection)5,6,7

Ringworm treatment

If you have symptoms of buni, it’s best to get it treated as soon as possible because the infection might cause complications. First of all, if untreated, ringworm can spread to other areas of the body. Secondly, you might put others at risk of catching the infection. Thirdly, ringworm may cause you other unpleasant complications like hair loss, scarring and nail deformities.8

Being a type of fungal infection, you should consider antifungal cream for ringworm as the best treatment option. Ringworm treatment with Clotrimazole (Canesten) 1% Cream normally takes around three to four weeks and you should apply it 2-3 times each day.9

Canesten® Antifungal Cream Clotrimazole 1% can effectively treat your ringworm infection and provide relief for everyday ringworm symptoms. It is important to complete the whole course for effective treatment, even if your symptoms go away and it looks like the infection is clearing up.

When to see a doctor?

You should see a doctor if there is no improvement after using antifungal medication for seven days. You should also consider seeing a doctor if you have ringworm on your scalp or face, or if you have a weakened immune system.10

If you are pregnant or elderly, a doctor can advise you if you can use an antifungal medication or recommend an alternative treatment option

REFERENCES:

  1. What is ringworm? in: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ringworm/
  2. Recognizing ringworm symptoms, in: https://www.healthline.com/health/ringworm
  3. Overview, in: https://www.healthline.com/health/how-long-is-ringworm-contagious
  4. Is ringworm contagious?, in: https://www.healthline.com/health/ringworm
  5. Tinea Corporis, in: Hainer, B.L., Dermatophyte Infections, in: American Family Physician 2003, vol. 67, Number 1, p. 104
  6. Presentation, Tinea Corporis, in: Buttaravoli, op. cit.
  7. Recognizing ringworm symptoms, in: https://www.healthline.com/health/ringworm
  8. Ringworm left untreated, in: https://www.healthline.com/health/ringworm
  9. Tinea Corporis, in: Hainer, B.L., Dermatophyte Infections, in: American Family Physician 2003, vol. 67, Number 1, p. 104-105
  10. See a GP if:, in: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ringworm/

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If symptoms persists, consult your doctor.
ASC Reference No.: B081P050621CS, B082P050621CS, B083P050621CS
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