skinexamine

1

• What is Scalp Ringworm?
• You hear the name and freak out is there an
  insect inside my scalp? Well, that isnt the
  case. This skin disorder clinically termed as
  Tinea capitis is an infection caused by one of
  the varieties of fungi dermatophytes. It is a
  common skin disorder among school-going children
  around the world and is highly contagious. It is
  termed scalp ringworm as the fungus makes
  ring-like patterns on the scalp and causes red
  itchy patches.
• The bacteria infect dead tissues on your skin,
  hair, and nails superficially and therefore can
  become quite painful if left untreated. It is
  also contagious which means it may spread among
  members of the family if one of them becomes
  infected. Lets look at a few causes behind the
  spreading of the infection
•  
• What Causes Ringworm?
• We have already established the fact that scalp
  ringworm is caused due to a type of scalp fungus.
  However what is crucial is to understand what
  factors enable the bacteria to thrive and spread
  around. These factors include
•  
• Lack of Hygiene
• People who maintain poor hygiene are at a higher
  risk of developing ringworm since the fungi
  thrive on warm and moist skin such as one that
  remains sweaty. It is essential to keep the scalp
  clean and dry to prevent this skin condition.
  Never leave skin injuries such as rashes
  unattended as that may also make your scalp
  susceptible to the infection.
•         
• Sharing Equipment with an Infected Person
• Dermatophytes are spores that are quite resilient
  and can survive on the skin for a substantial
  amount of time- a few months to be precise.
  Similarly, they can also live on objects such as
  towels, comb, sports gear, etc. Therefore people
  who have been affected by the disorder can
  deposit spores on the objects they touch and use
  sharing any such equipment with an infected
  person will put you at risk of developing
  ringworm.
• Athletes, for instance, may develop scalp
  ringworm by sharing sports gear such as helmets,
  towels, and shin guards or due to direct contact
  such as in wrestling. The area around pools,
  shower stalls that are open to public, locker
  rooms are all places that can be home to the
  fungus so anyone using such sites must take
  preventive measures to ensure protection from the
  skin condition.
•        
• Touching the Scalp of an Infected Person or
  Animal
• Apart from sharing objects, you can also develop
  the skin condition by touching the skin of an
  infected human being or animal.
•        
• Playing with Pets
• Animals such as cats particularly kittens and
  dogs can be carriers of the disease so petting or
  grooming these animals can increase your risk of
  contracting the disease. Symptoms of the disorder
  in animals include scaly or patchy fur along with
  similar circular patterns as in the case of
  humans, but the signs may not always be evident.