Tinea Corporis

Tinea corporis is more commonly known as ringworm. Sometimes, people think that ringworm occurs due to worm but instead it is an infection caused by fungi. This type of skin disorder can be seen on the outermost visible layer of the skin in the form of circular shaped rashes that may also cause itching sensation. Tinea corporis may occur in any part of the body and affects both males and females immaterial of their age. However, children are more prone to this skin disorder. This disease flourishes in the tropical areas where the climate usually remains hot and humid. Tinea corporis does not pose any serious threat to an affected person but it can be severe in those having weaker immune system.

The people who perspire more such as athletes are more prone to catch tinea corporis because the essential oils of the skin that combat fungi are washed out along with sweats. Similarly, those suffering from any serious skin disease with symptoms like inflammation and itching sensation are also likely to catch tinea corporis. This skin disorder can be sometimes due to heredity.

Symptoms

Tinea corporis appear on the skin as round shaped blemish the middle part of which matches with normal skin. The border of the blemishes are red colored that may itch and sometime cause inflammation. The skin in the infected areas becomes scurfy. The spots or blemishes can spread on the other parts of the skin and it is not necessary that all of them contain red colored edges.

Causes

Dermatophytes or fungi that cause tinea corporis usually thrive in the dead cells present in the outermost layer of the epidermis and never penetrate the deeper parts of the skin. Tinea corporis is a communicable disease and can diffuse in various ways and the commonest is when the skin of an individual infected with the complication comes in contact with skin of the other people. Infected animals can also transmit the disease in humans and this happens mostly when people touch their domestic pets and cattle. The disease can diffuse through personal belongings too when one uses the clothes or bed sheets of an infected person. Similarly, a person can catch tinea corporis through infected soil but this type of cases happen rarely. People, especially farmers, can get infected by the soil because they have to spend adequate time in the fields.

Diagnosis

Once the signs of tinea corporis appear on your skin, rush to your doctor for diagnosis because there are too many other types skin infections that may have similar symptoms and only expert can distinguish them. The doctor will carefully examine the infected areas and would inquire the manner in which an individual got the infection – whether through infected humans, animals, objects or soil. The doctor may opt for biopsy to confirm that the infection has caused tinea corporis.

Treatment

The mild form of tinea corporis can sometimes be treated with creams and lotions available in the market without doctor’s prescription. However, it is advisable to visit doctor for proper treatment. The initial stage of tinea corporis can be treated topically while the severe cases may require oral medication. However, taking medicines orally can cause side effects like disturbance in digestive system as well as in liver. Even the natural tendency of the body to clot the blood immediately can be affected when oral medicines are given to infected person.

Prevention

Avoid skin contact with infected person. Similarly, keep a safe distance from infected animals, objects and soil.

Do not use towels, clothes and other personal items of an infected person.

Cleanliness is the best way to keep all types of infections at bay, so make sure your hands and other parts of your body are not unclean.

Prefer wearing lose fitting clothes, especially of cotton fabric as it allows your sweats to evaporate easily.

Since your pets can also spread infection, take them for regular check-up to the veterinary doctor.