Ringworm in humans: how and what to treat

Duration of therapy for trichophytosis

One of the most common types of lichen is ringworm, caused by protozoan fungi of the genus Microsporum. Pathogenic microorganisms affect the skin, hair, and in rare cases, nail plates and eyelashes. They are most often localized in open areas of the body and scalp.

Ringworm in humans forms after contact with infected people; children transmit the infection during joint games, through shared toys. The likelihood of developing trichophytosis increases if there are fresh abrasions or scratches on the skin. Pets, stray cats, and especially small kittens are also sources of infection.

The incubation period lasts from 5–7 days to 2 months. Depending on the type of ringworm, the symptoms may be mild or cause severe inflammation. In children, the predominantly erymatous-edematous form of the disease is diagnosed. Fungal infection of the skin provokes the development of an allergic reaction.

Red, swollen spots with a slightly flaky surface form on the body or head, the lesions itch, which often leads to scratching of the wounds and the introduction of a secondary infection. Bacteria increase inflammation, provoke suppuration, and the formation of weeping ulcers. Hair falls out in the affected area, leaving round bald spots.

Kids become restless, capricious, sleep and eat poorly. Body temperature may rise, regional lymph nodes may become denser.

If necrotic tissue damage occurs, the patient must be hospitalized and treated in a hospital setting.

How long does it take to treat ringworm in a child, and can complications occur? How quickly the dermis clears depends on compliance with the doctor’s recommendations, the age of the baby, the severity of the pathology and the presence of concomitant diseases. For mild cases, local treatment with ointments and shampoos is carried out for up to 14 days.

Treatment of different types of lichen

Before starting treatment, the doctor examines the patient and examines the elements of the rash. If an infection is suspected, a scraping analysis from the affected area or a skin biopsy is prescribed. The course of therapy is selected taking into account the nature of the disease, the reasons for its development, and the intensity of symptoms.

Pityriasis versicolor

The disease is caused by fungi that are constantly present on the skin. Under favorable conditions (decreased immunity, changes in the composition of skin secretions, sweating, poor hygiene), fungi intensively multiply in the stratum corneum of the epidermis, causing lichen.

Pityriasis versicolor rash

The disease is also called pityriasis versicolor or sun lichen. The reason for this is a change in skin color in places where fungi are most active. The spots are beige-pink or red-brown in color. A powdery (pityriasis-like) peeling appears on their surface, noticeable when touched with a finger or nail. There is no inflammation in the areas of the rash. Over time, the elements of the rash lose their redness and become beige or brown. Due to azelaic acid, which is produced by the fungus, the work of melanocytes, the skin cells responsible for its coloring, is disrupted. As a result, the affected areas become discolored and whitish, which is especially noticeable in the warm season.

The disease can occur in acute or chronic form, worsening only in the summer or after excessive sweating. The itching with lichen is mild. “Favorite” places for rashes:

back;
breast;
neck;
armpits.

The difficulties of treatment lie in the inadequate elimination of pathogens from the skin. On the hairy parts of the body and in folds, the lesions remain unnoticed, from where they repeatedly spread to smooth skin. Treatment with external agents or tablets alone is ineffective. It is necessary to combine the elimination of fungus from the surface of the skin and in the hair follicles at the same time.

To quickly cure pityriasis versicolor, you should combine antifungal medications that can be well distributed over the skin (sprays, gels, solutions, shampoos) with oral antifungal medications. Recovery is brought closer by careful adherence to hygiene and regular replacement of clothing.

Shampoo Nizoral

The most effective treatment regimen is a combination of Nizoral shampoo (Kenazol, Keto-Plus, Terbinacode) and Fluconazole or Itraconazole tablets. Lather the entire body (including the scalp) with Nizoral, leave the product on for 5 minutes, and then rinse off. The spots change color after 2-3 uses of shampoo, but for a complete cure, continued treatment is required. On the first day of using external medications, they begin taking pills. Drink 50 mg (daily, 14-20 days) or 150 mg of Fluconazole (once a week, 3 weeks in a row), or 200 mg of Itraconazole for 2 weeks. All this time, Nizoral is used instead of shower gel. After complete exfoliation of the stratum corneum of the skin, the fungus disappears. To prevent relapses, you can use Nizoral in preventive courses (several times before the start of the warm season).

Symptoms of ringworm regression

How to understand that the lichen is going away? A sign of recovery is the convergence of the blisters and the gradual falling off of the crusts. The border becomes lighter, its surface is smoothed and evened out compared to the surrounding skin.

First, a light pink, smooth spot forms at the site of the lichen; later the skin acquires a normal shade. If trichophytosis occurs in a purulent form, scars may remain on the surface of the dermis. The bald patches on the scalp gradually grow back, and permanent baldness is rarely observed.

The child must be registered with the attending physician for another 3 months and periodically undergo tests for fungal flora.

How long does it take to treat pityriasis rosea?

The disease has an infectious-allergic etiology, but is not highly contagious. It is transmitted through close contact with a patient and through household items, bedding, and towels. Symptoms of skin lesions occur only when the immune system is weakened, so they are often found in preschool children 2–7 years old.

How long does it take for pityriasis rosea to heal in humans? The disease is characterized by seasonal exacerbations that occur in the autumn-spring period. The rash and spots on the body appear within 10 days and do not cause discomfort or itching. The pathology is completely cured in 1–2 months, but with a chronic course, relapses periodically occur.

Pityriasis rosea does not go away for a long time if the immune system is severely weakened, with increased sweating, and frequent skin contact with water. The disease does not require special treatment, the spots disappear on their own. The use of anti-inflammatory, drying ointments, and antihistamines speeds up recovery.

How long does it take for shingles to go away in children?

The cause of the disease is the herpes virus, which is in the body in a latent state after chickenpox. With a strong decrease in immunity, the nerve endings become inflamed and characteristic vesicular rashes form along the nerve fibers. The development of the disease can be triggered by a common cold, exacerbation of chronic inflammatory diseases, and stressful situations.

How long does it take for herpetic rash to heal in young children? Before the lesions appear, the child’s health deteriorates, he or she feels chills, his body temperature rises, and he is bothered by itchy skin. After 3-4 days, small blisters filled with liquid appear. After a few more days, the papules open and form yellowish crusts.

Pimples from shingles will go away in only 7-10 days, in some cases the symptoms persist for longer than 2 weeks.

How quickly the rash heals depends on antiviral treatment and the state of the immune system. After cleansing the skin, neuralgic pain may persist for a long time; therapy in such patients takes about 1 year.

How long does it take for lichen planus to go away?

This form of skin disease in children is quite rare and can be triggered by an allergic reaction, psycho-emotional shock, or taking certain medications. Lichen planus is not an infectious disease and therefore cannot be transmitted to another person through close contact.

The rashes are localized on the skin of the extremities, most often in the joint area, and also form on the mucous membranes of the oral cavity. Externally they look like compacted bright red nodules that cause severe itching.

What to do when lichen planus appears and how to treat it so that the spots go away faster? Therapy is carried out with ointments with glucocorticoids, and physiotherapeutic procedures accelerate recovery. Since the disease has a relapsing course, the rash persists from 6 months to 1 year, new spots can form in place of newly healed ones. The longest treatment times are observed in the presence of lesions in the oral cavity.

How to identify lichen at home: signs and methods of recognition

November 19, 2019
Dermatology
Albina Syrokvashina

The appearance of skin diseases causes a person not only physical, but also psychological discomfort.

This is especially true in cases where exposed areas of the body (face, neck, scalp, hands) are affected. An example of a dermatological pathology due to infection in the body is lichen.

During the course of the disease, inflammation appears on the skin, pigmentation is disrupted, itching and burning are felt, and in some cases hair falls out.

Ringworm in adults and children

In adults, lichen most often appears after 45 years of age. This is due to age-related changes in the body, weakening of the immune system, and approaching old age.

Ringworm in women

Several types of the disease can only be seen in females. For example, lichen planus, which appears at the age of 40.

Ringworm in men

You may notice the appearance of those types of lichen that affect the hair surface of the body. There are cases when lichen is found in the area of the beard, groin, and also in the armpit area due to increased sweating.

Ringworm in children

Ringworm can occur in children, but it is not particularly dangerous and responds well to treatment. Parents should be careful when treating children's skin. Failure to follow the doctor's recommendations can lead to burns on the body, and there is a risk of developing serious complications.

The first signs of lichen

In the first stages of development, lichen appears as a flat, scaly spot. The disease begins with damage to the back and chest. After two weeks, other spots begin to appear. With shingles, the symptoms will be slightly different.

The first couple of days there will be general malaise, weakness, drowsiness, loss of appetite, and possibly an increase in body temperature. Then pain may appear, which will intensify against the background of sudden movements or hypothermia.

In those areas where spots appear, swelling and redness will appear.

How to identify lichen at home?

For treatment to be effective, it is first necessary to determine its type. You can draw certain conclusions based on the appearance and sensations on the body:

Pityriasis rosea depends on the time of year. The risk group is females aged 25 to 40 years. Spots can form on the back, chest, and stomach. Lichen may appear in skin folds. The formations can reach 4 cm and look like red spots.
Ringworm occurs mainly in children due to contact with a sick pet. Pink formations are up to 5 cm in size. They appear on the shoulders, face, and scalp.

Shingles can be seen in older people who did not have chickenpox as children. Blisters appear in the area of infection, causing itching and burning. When they burst, the skin becomes crusty.
Tinea versicolor appears in young people. Red spots can be seen on the neck, shoulders and stomach.
Lichen planus begins to progress in people with diabetes. Not only the skin is affected, but also the nails and mucous membranes. The spots look like shiny nodules of various shapes with a depression in the center.

Every person should have information on how to identify lichen using iodine. This product is used not only to treat wounds, but also to identify certain skin diseases.

Balzer test

The method is considered the most common. It is aimed at testing lichen in humans with iodine. Suitable for identifying pityriasis versicolor. Using iodine, you can determine the presence or absence of a fungal disease. The manipulation is carried out as follows:

Before applying the substance, stains must be cleaned of dirt and dried.
Lubricate the affected area with iodine and wait 4 minutes to evaluate the result. If a fungal infection is present, the spot will turn dark brown and will be noticeably different from normal skin.

Taking an iodine test is only one method of diagnosis. In addition, it is necessary to be examined in a specialized clinic and undergo tests to identify the causes. There are no contraindications, so it can be performed at any age, during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

If, after the test, redness, severe itching or pain appears around the affected area, the use of the substance for prophylactic purposes is unacceptable.

What is the result of treating lichen with iodine?

Iodine solution has healing properties. But it is not recommended to use it for all types of lichen. Doctors strongly advise lubricating the affected areas only if you have ringworm.

Pink, colored or pityriasis lesions cannot be cured with iodine. The spots treated with it turn into ulcers and cause serious complications.

Therefore, before treating a wound with iodine, it is necessary to find out what kind of lichen has settled on the human body.

Iodine penetrates the skin within a short time and takes part in the proper functioning of the thyroid gland. Excess of the drug leads to serious disorders in the body. If iodine helps in identifying lichen, you should seek medical help as soon as possible to prescribe subsequent treatment.

Can lichen go away on its own?

Can shingles go away on its own? Many people want to know the answer to this question. The disease can go away on its own, and this is not an isolated case. It was observed that pityriasis rosea disappeared without any treatment 1 month after its appearance.

Shingles, if there is no pain, can also go away on its own without complications. But this does not mean that you should fold your arms and wait for the disease to pass. This is too dangerous an infection and it’s not worth risking your life.

Pityriasis versicolor also tends to go away on its own. But with the same success it can return at any time, as soon as a person’s immunity weakens.

Ringworm will not go away on its own. If treatment is not started in time, it will spread throughout the body, affecting more and more areas of healthy skin. And close people will soon become infected with a fungal disease.

Features of treatment for deprivation

What method can you use to determine lichen? In fact, there are many ways, but many of them are either painful or do not give any effect. In addition, most people do not have medical training and no idea how to test for shingles using iodine. And if used incorrectly, as is known, human health can worsen.

Opinions of people facing the problem

Many patients did not know that iodine can be used to test for lichen. And when the opportunity was given to try this method on myself, the result was true.

People who had red spots on their bodies were looking for information on how to identify ringworm with an iodine solution. After studying the relevant recommendations, some were able to identify this disease in themselves and, thanks to a simple method, begin treatment on time.

The advice helped many patients identify lichen without asking outsiders for help. The disease was successfully cured.

How to identify lichen yourself is of interest to all people who have encountered a fungal infection. For some, it helps them recognize the disease and begin treatment as soon as possible, but there are also those who do not trust such experiments.

Ringworm can be determined with iodine for both adults and children. The result may be different for everyone, so you should not rely only on this method.

Conclusion

In modern medicine there are no drugs that would completely cure lichen. Treatment is aimed at getting rid of unpleasant symptoms. If severe itching is experienced, doctors recommend using antihistamines and herbal sedatives.

If a severe inflammatory process occurs in the body, immunosuppressants of the quinoline group (Delagil) will be prescribed for treatment. If the pathology is acute, corticosteroids will be prescribed. The duration of treatment is 4 weeks. For complex treatment, acupuncture, electrosleep and ultraviolet heating are used.

Once a year, patients need to undergo treatment in a sanatorium.

Source: //SamMedic.ru/477976a-kak-opredelit-lishay-v-domashnih-usloviyah-priznaki-i-sposobyi-raspoznaniya

Tinea versicolor

In adolescents and young adults, the pityriasis variety of lichen occurs. The pathology occurs against the background of a chronic fungal infection of the epidermis, its causative agents are Pityrosporum orbiculare, ovale, Malassezia furfur.

Why does the disease develop and how does it manifest? Protozoa microorganisms are part of the permanent microflora of the skin, but when favorable conditions are created, they cause damage to soft tissues. The main symptom of pityriasis versicolor is the formation of round brownish spots that do not darken in the sun, as the fungus attacks the melanocytes that produce the pigment.

The incubation period ranges from 2 weeks to several months. Treatment is carried out with external antifungal ointments and systemic antimycotics. Fungal spores die after 7–10 days, but the spots persist for another 3–6 months; in the hot season, a relapse may occur, which is diagnosed in most patients.

Ringworm is a skin disease caused by fungal infection or viruses. The duration of treatment depends on the type of pathology, the therapy performed, the degree of damage to the dermis and compliance with the doctor’s recommendations. To speed up recovery, it is necessary to follow the rules of hygiene, use medications, wear clothes made from natural materials, and avoid contact with animals and sick people.

Why does skin grow under my nails?

Strange situation: I noticed that skin was growing under my toenails. What is the reason and why does this happen?

Foreign bodies. In rare cases, when a person’s sensitivity is low, a splinter or sliver that gets under the nail may not make itself known for a long time. And then a painful growth appears.

So, methods to solve a problem depend on its root cause. Onychomycosis can be cured at an early stage on your own, using either folk remedies in the form of copper sulfate, table vinegar, or antifungal medications. In the later stages, fungal infections are treated with systemic medications. Ingrowth requires specialist intervention. You need to contact a dermatologist or an experienced pedicurist. As for psoriasis, it is necessary to use therapy that prevents relapses of the disease. As for warts, if they do not interfere, it is better not to remove them. After all, the virus will not disappear from the body, and growths may appear again in the same place, and in even greater quantities.

The foreign body that caused the skin to grow under the nail must be removed. At the risk of doing it yourself, do not forget about the rules of disinfection.