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Ringworm Prevention Ringworm is a contagious fungus infection in the skin. Fungus lives on dead skin cells and it has a round or oval shape. Ringworm can be transferred from person to person. Children can easily spread the fungus to their playmates. The skin may have raised bumps and a scaly look on the top surface of the skin. Ringworm can begin on the face, hand, arm, leg, groin, and in the scalp area. Ringworm can grow in the scalp area because the scalp is a moist place for the fungus to grow. Scratching the rash will leave scabs on the surface of the skin and become infected. It is difficult to determine which fungi are respsonsible for the outbreak of the skin rash called ringworm. Fungal plants (plants without flowers) can create and spread rashes that lead to a fungus infection called ringworm. Ringworm can grow in the groin area where there is moisture from sweat and spread to the inner thighs. When the fungi spreads, it causes spores. The sweat from a person's body increases the spores and causes the infection to spread and it starts itching.
Animals can spread fungal infections to human beings through physical contact with household members. Most pet owners and children are in close contact with their pets which is an easy way to spread ringworm. The pet should be taken to the veterinarian for checkups to prevent ringworm. Athlete's foot is the result of ringworm fungus. The fungus thrives in humid and dark places. To avoid athlete's foot, he or she has to keep the foot clean and dry by using medicated foot powder. A person should not wear anyone else shoes to avoid getting fungus. Dermatophytosis is a skin fungi infection that can be gotten from soil or sand. Heat and moisture help the fungi grow. The fungi is found in the skin folds of the groin area and between the toes. To prevent dermatophytosis, keep the groin area and between the toes clean and dry. Tinea corposis, commonly known as jock itch, is an inflammation of the skin in the groin area. Jock itch is caused by a bacterial or fungal infection. Anti-fungal medication is needed to treat and cure jock itch. Tinea corposis can be prevented by keeping the groin area clean and dry especially after exercising. Sweat creates a moist place for the fungus to start growing. To prevent jock itch, a peson should not share personal items such as hair combs and hair brushes. Also, do not wear tight underclothes to prevent the area to become inflamed with fungus or bacteria. Hair shafts are the non growing hairs that extend above the skin. It is the hair that the person sees and combs. the loss and breaking off of the hair is a hair shaft problem. Hair shaft damage occurs from over processing the hair with bleaches, dyes, and perms with strong chemicals. Electric hair dryers help damage the hair shafts. To prevent damaged hair shafts, avoid using chemical perms, excessive hair braiding of the hair, hair tracks, and coarse hair brushes. Omychomycosis is better known as fungal fingernails and toe nail infections. The contagious infection starts at the corner of the finger and toe nails through a cut or break in the skin. Candidiasis (yeast folds) is the most common cause of this fungal infection. To prevent getting the infection, a person should not walk bare foot in public places. Shoes and socks must be kept clean and dry to prevent the infection from spreading. Anti-fungal powder will prevent fingernail and toe nail fungus. As always, consult a local dermatologist to get the correct diagnose and treatment. |
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