Ringworm or dermatophytosis is a skin disease that is caused by fungal growth in the skin of humans and animals. The fungi that cause ringworm feed on keratin, the material that is found in the exterior of the skin, nails and hair. It is believed that up to 21 percent of the population in the world is suffering from ringworm. It is especially common among people who are into sports especially wrestling.
Ringworm on the skin starts in the form of a scaly, red patch or a bump. Ringworm tends to be quite itchy making the person uncomfortable. Over a period of time, the area looks like a series of rings with bumpy, scaly borders with a well defined central area. Since the pattern is often ring-like, the skin disease gets this name.
Ringworm is known by different names when it affects certain parts of the body. When it affects the groin, it is called Jock Itch and when it is formed on the feet, it is called athlete feet. However, when ringworm is formed on the feet or groin, it does not appear ring-like but the pattern is in the form of red, scaly patches.
The skin disorder actually begins in the form of a little sore that looks like a pimple before developing into a patchy, scaly or flaky pattern. Ringworm of the nails that is usually seen post after puberty, can affect a person’s nails a well. Due to this, the nails become brittle, yellowish or whitish.
Lamisil is one of the most effective topical medications for ringworm. Doctors usually recommend you to apply Lamisil twice a day until the symptoms begins to subside, within a period of one or two weeks. Skin doctors may even recommend you to take the medication for another seven days after the symptoms have been cleared, so that there is no further recurrence. All in all, the duration of the ringworm treatment by Lamisil can be as long as three weeks. |
