The types of ringworm depend upon the affected part of the body. Ringworm mostly affects the scalp, skin, groin, nail and foot of the person. These are Tinea captis, Tinea corporis, Tinea cruris, Onychomycosis and Tinea pedis. People commonly refer to Tinea pedis as athlete’s foot. Among these five types of ringworm infections, scalp, skin and the groin ones are the most common.
Types of Ringworm:
Scalp ringworm is more common in pre-adolescents. Adult infections are extremely rare. This is because of the change in scalp glands during puberty. This scalp no longer appeals to the fungi, thus reducing the chances of infection. The incidence of scalp ringworm is higher in urban areas, because people live in more congested environments, aiding in the spread of the fungus.
Body or skin ringworm is capable of affecting people of all age groups, ranging from babies to adults. People usually resort to over-the-counter drugs to treat the infection. Groin ringworm infection or jock itch is the more common ringworm infection among young males. This too is curable through self-medication, but severe cases may require seeing a doctor.
Complications of Ringworm Infection:
Fungus infection rarely ever pops out beneath the epidermis of the patient’s skin. As a result, there is little scope for complications and serious illness. The most common complications of ringworm include the spreading of infection. Due to itching, the patient might spread the infection from one body part to another. In other cases, the skin might break and bacteria might cause an infection. The patient might need to resort to antibiotics for curing the infection. People with weak immune systems are at higher risks of contracting the infection. This might result in excessive spreading of the ringworm.
Ringworm usually can be cured using home remedies and over-the-counter drugs. However, it is never a bad idea to consult a doctor regarding the diagnosis and treatment.