Signs and Symptoms of Ring Worm

Signs and Symptoms of Ring Worm

Ring Worm or Tinea is a common skin disorder which is usually caused by fungus. There are different strains of Tinea which is reported for the responsibility of this disorder. Among the different types of ringworm some common types are discussed in the following: Tinea corporismainly affects the skin where Tinea pedismainly affects feet causing Athletes Foot disease &Tinea cruris affects mainly the groin area causing Jock Itch disease. It was first thought that ring worm disease is caused due to harmful effect of any worm (parasite) but later it is proved that Tinea is responsible for the outbreak of this disease. 

There are innumerable yeast, fungi, molds present in the world. Among them only a few no of species have the ability to cause any skin problem. Ring worm (fungi) which is also known as dermatotypes usually resides in the dead tissue of the skin, hair or nail quite like the presence of mushrooms on the bark of the tree. This disease is highly contagious disease which usually spreads in multiple ways like from the body of the infected person, object, and clothes as well as even from soil too. 

Heat and moisture is the perfect condition which help the fungus to grow, that’s why this disease usually occurred in the moist skin folds as well as the portion of the bodies where usually sweat present. Being a zoonotic disease it usually affects pet mostly cat from which it can be spread to human also. It is reported that 30-70% of the domestic cats are affected by this disease though it may occur to dogs, cows, goats also. Apart from visual observation skin culture as well as microscopic observation may be useful to detect this disease.

The signs and symptoms of this disease is usually can be found by visual observation. So the external signs are more for this disease. Some of the unique external symptoms of this disease are discussed in the following:

 

• ·         Itching as well as burning is the most seen symptom of this disease.
• ·         Some red coloured patches which is raised on the skin and may ooze or blister in the later stage. Sometimes sharply defined edges are found which belongs to the patches.
• ·         Painful lesions sometimes appear as a result of the infection by the fungus which is also blistering and sometimes become weepy too.
• ·         Abnormally dark and light skin surrounds the affected portion of the body.
• ·         The rash appears as raised red plaques (platelike areas) with sharp borders. Tiny pimples may also appear at the sharp borders.
• ·         Rashes caused by the yeasts become more reddish in colour as well as moist too this may affect the tip of the skin of the penis too.
• ·         Dryness found in the skin of the affected area finally resulting in the breakage of the skin.
• ·         Inflammation may be appearing on the affected portion of the body in the later stage of the disease due to severe infection by the causative agent.