Ringworm

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Ringworm?

Does this look like ringworm?
Pharmacist

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Ringworms are fungi or yeast that use keratin from dead skin cells for food.

They must live on the outermost layer of the skin (dead skin cells that are filled with the protein keratin), hair, or nails to survive.

That is probably the first question you will yourself.



Lady with ringworm on the leg


Let's find out if that is what you are looking at. We will be talking about ringworm of the body here.

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Ringworm

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Listed below are a few things to know.
Pharmacist
  • Ringworm is contagious. You can get it from direct contact with ringworm on someone's skin.

  • Touching items that have the fungi on them, such as clothing, shower floors, pool surfaces can give it to you (They thrive in warm, moist areas).

  • You can also get it from your pets especially cats.

Let's continue and see if you are looking at ringworm.

 

Are you looking at a patch or patches that are itchy?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
A ringworm is sometimes itchy and like a patch that will keep expanding outwards.
Pharmacist

 

Is the area scaly with dry and flaky skin surrounding it?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?

 

Does the affected area have outside red border like a ring?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
This is a sign of ringworm infection.
Pharmacist

The contours of the ring may be irregular with scaly borders.

Signs of a ringworm include:

  • Itchy patch or patches
  • Scaly area with dry and flaky surrounding skin
  • Outside ring like red border

 

Are the edges of the area defined and slightly raised?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
This is a description of a ringworm infection.
Pharmacist

Signs include:

  • Itchy patch or patches
  • Scaly area with dry and flaky surrounding skin
  • Outside ring like red border
  • Sharply defined borders

 

Is this an area that is redder outside?

With a clear or normal skin tone in the center?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
A ringworm may look like this.
Pharmacist

The inside of the ring may be scaly or marked with scattered red bumps and several rings may develop at the same time and overlap.

 

Alright
Those were what a ringworm infection may look like.
Pharmacist

If you think you are looking at a ringworm infection, let's continue and see what a pharmacist recommend you use over the counter to help clear this up.

If you are still not sure, you will have to see a healthcare provider.

A healthcare provider may examine your skin in a dark room with a blue light called Wood's lamp. This will make the fungus glow if it is ringworm.

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Ringworm

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Need a doctor?


Having to see a doctor depends on a few things listed below.
Pharmacist

It depends on if the area is:

  • Infected due to scratching.

  • Very extensive. In which case you will need oral medications.

  • Very inflammed.

  • Mixed with other causes.

Let's make the right decision regarding this ringworm.

 

Is the affected area swollen?

Warm to touch?
Pharmacist

 

Seek urgent care or call the doctor.
Pharmacist

Here is why:

  • Looking at infection.

Nearest Clinic

 

Is the area draining or forming pus?
Pharmacist

 

Seek urgent care or call the doctor.
Pharmacist

Here is why:

  • Possible infection.

Nearest Clinic

 

Are you looking at red streaks in the affected area?
Pharmacist

 

Seek urgent care or call the doctor.
Pharmacist

Here is why:

  • Possible infection.

Nearest Clinic

 

Do you have any fever in addition to this ringworm?
Pharmacist

 

Seek urgent care or call the doctor.
Pharmacist

Here is why:

  • Looking at a serious situation if you think the ringworm is the cause.

Nearest Clinic

 

Is the ringworm on the scalp?
Pharmacist

 

Seek urgent care or call the doctor.
Pharmacist

Here is why:

  • Hard to treat.
  • Over-the-counter creams won't cut this.
  • You will need oral prescription medication like griseofulvin.

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Is the ringworm over much of the body?
Pharmacist

 

Seek urgent care or call the doctor.
Pharmacist

Here is why:

  • Need oral prescription medication.
  • Cannot rub cream to a very large area. May be too expensive to do anyway.

Nearest Clinic

 

Have you tried selfcare for 4 weeks now and still no relief?
Pharmacist

 

Time to seek urgent care or call the doctor.
Pharmacist

Here is why:

  • Need something stronger.
  • Need to make sure it is a ringworm infection.

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Does this ringworm keep coming back even after going away?
Pharmacist

 

Seek urgent care or call the doctor.
Pharmacist

Here is why:

  • Need further evaluation.
  • Need to keep treating for a few more weeks even after clearing.

Nearest Clinic

 


Those were some of the reasons to see a doctor.
Pharmacist

If none applied to you, let's get an over-the-counter recommendation for this ringworm infection.

Or perhaps you would like to see the nearest urgent care clinic to you.

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