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How Is Ringworm Treated?
Ringworm is a common fungal skin infection that often causes symptoms like ring-shaped rashes, itchiness, and scaly plaques. The condition can affect any part of the skin or nails.
Ringworm can be referred to by different names depending on the part of the body it affects. For example, ringworm of the feet is commonly known as "athlete's foot," while ringworm affecting the groin is called "jock itch."
All types of ringworm are treated with antifungal medicines. In many cases, over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal creams, shampoos, powders, or sprays will clear up the infection within two to four weeks. Certain kinds of ringworm may require prescription antifungal medication, including ointments and oral tablets.
Many kinds of ringworm can be effectively treated with non-prescription antifungal medicines. However, some types of ringworm require prescription medicine or other steps to relieve symptoms and clear up the infection. Ringworm on the Body, Hands, or Feet Ringworm of the body (tinea corporis), ringworm of the hands (tinea manuum), and ringworm of the feet (tinea pedis, also known as athlete's foot) can be effectively treated with OTC antifungal lotion, cream, or powder that you can buy at the drugstore. OTC antifungal medicines include: Clotrimazole, sold under brand names like Lotrimin and Mycelex Miconazole, sold under brand names like Micatin and Zeasorb AF Lamisil (terbinafine) Use the OTC antifungal medicine as the product label or your healthcare provider directs. If the ringworm covers a large area of your body, you may need prescription medication. Jock Itch Ringworm of the groin area (tinea cruris), also known as jock itch, can often be treated at home by: Applying an OTC antifungal cream, spray, or powder to the affected area twice a day for 10-14 days Applying a cool compress to the groin for half an hour up to six times per day Washing the affected area of the skin and drying it thoroughly If your jock itch symptoms don't clear up within a few weeks, reach out to a dermatologist (a doctor who specializes in skin conditions) or another healthcare provider about other options. Ringworm on the Scalp Unlike many other types of ringworm, ringworm on the scalp (tinea capitis) is treated with oral prescription antifungal medicine for one to three months. Antifungal medications prescribed to treat scalp ringworm include: Griseofulvin, sold under brand names like Grifulvin V and Gris-PEG Lamisil (terbinafine) Itraconazole, sold under brand names like Onmel and Sporanox Diflucan (fluconazole) Medications for ringworm of the scalp may come as tablets, capsules, or liquids. Like in the case of Lamisil, they may also come in the form of granules, which you can sprinkle onto soft food like pudding and then consume. Your healthcare provider may also recommend that you use an antifungal shampoo to clear the infection. It may even be recommended that all members of your household wash their hair with antifungal shampoo to avoid getting ringworm. Ringworm on the Beard Area Beard ringworm, or tinea barbae, affects the hair and hair follicles in or around the beard and mustache area. Ringworm of the beard area is treated with: Prescription antifungal medication Removal of the infected hair Removal of the affected tissue to allow for better healing (a dermatologist will need to do this) Ringworm on the Nails Ringworm of the toenails or fingernails—also called tinea unguium or onychomycosis—is most effective when started early. This kind of ringworm can be treated with: A six- to 12-week course of oral Lamisil (terbinafine) Laser therapy Antifungal nail polish Surgical nail debridement (reduction) or, in severe cases, removal Ringworm is not usually a serious health condition and can thankfully be treated regardless of where it is on the body. Most cases go away within a few weeks of antifungal treatment. Sometimes it can take longer to get rid of ringworm. Sticking to your treatment plan in the long term is important to successful healing. While rare, complications may occur. Complications of ringworm may include: Bacterial infections from scratching at the infected skin Darkening or lightening of the affected area(s) of the skin Flare-ups of other skin conditions, such as psoriasis Development of a rash at a different body site as an allergic response to the fungal infection, known as a dermatophytid reaction A more serious fungal infection known as Majocchi's granuloma Ringworm is contagious. The fungus that causes ringworm often grows in humid, hot environments. The infection spreads through skin-to-skin contact with infected people or animals, including household pets. You can also get ringworm through contact with infected objects (such as items like shared razors, towels, or combs) or surfaces (such as public showers). You can prevent getting ringworm or spreading it to others by: Washing and changing your clothing frequently, especially underwear and socks Washing your hands after interacting with your pets Keeping your skin and nails clean and dry Wearing flip-flops or shower shoes in public locker rooms and showers Taking a shower and drying yourself off well after working out, dancing, playing sports, or swimming Wearing well-fitting shoes Ringworm is a type of skin infection caused by fungi. Symptoms typically include circular rashes, as well as itchy, dry, thick, or scaly plaques on skin. Most types of ringworm, including jock itch and athlete's foot, can be treated with antifungal powder, cream, or spray that you can purchase over-the-counter. If you have a fungal infection on your scalp, beard area, or nails, you might need to take prescription antifungal medication. Besides medication, you may need to take other treatment measures to clear the ringworm depending on where on the body it is. Talk to your healthcare provider if your ringworm symptoms aren't going away or are getting worse.Eczema Vs. Ringworm: What To Know
Though they can have similar symptoms of inflamed and itchy skin, eczema and ringworm are different. Eczema can be brought on by a number of factors, while ringworm is a fungal infection that you can usually cure with antifungal medications.
Yes. The cause of ringworm is clear: It's a fungal infection that lives on the skin.
The cause of eczema is less clear. Doctors believe it's the result of both genetic and environmental factors.
In addition, certain things can trigger an outbreak or "flare-up" of eczema. These can differ from person to person, but some things are more common than others, like:
There are no "triggers" for an outbreak of ringworm. You either have the infection or you don't.
Doctors know that certain genes make you more likely to develop eczema. And you're more likely to get eczema if you have a history of skin irritation or allergies in your family.
For ringworm, the role of genes is less important and less clear. For the most part, anyone, no matter what their genetic makeup is, can get ringworm if they come into contact with it. But certain genes can make some people more likely to get skin fungal infections like ringworm. More research is needed to be sure if this is true and how much of a difference it makes.
Eczema is not contagious. You cannot pass it on to another person or get it from someone else.
Ringworm is very contagious. Skin-to-skin contact with an infected person or animal, including household pets, can pass on the infection. Bedsheets, towels, and shared clothes and hairbrushes can also pass on the fungus once an infected person or animal touches them.
To help stop the spread of ringworm, start treatment as soon as possible if you have it. Wash your clothes, towels, and sheets regularly, and keep your scalp and skin clean with regular bathing.
Both eczema and ringworm tend to inflame and redden the skin and can make it dry, swollen, crusty, and itchy. In addition, both can happen almost anywhere on the body, head to toe.
One symptom that sometimes helps tell the difference is that ringworm often produces a scaly, ring-shaped rash, typically on the trunk, arms, or legs. But nummular, or "discoid," eczema also produces a round, scaly rash that can look like ringworm.
If you think you have ringworm, but over-the-counter remedies fail to work, it may be time to see your doctor. You may have eczema, psoriasis, or some other skin condition. Only your doctor can tell for sure the source of your symptoms.
Doctors diagnose eczema in large part by looking at it and by eliminating other possible causes of your symptoms. They might ask if anything seems to trigger an outbreak and whether you have a history of eczema in your family. They also may test your skin for allergic reactions or draw some blood to look for alternate causes.
Ringworm is one of the conditions they may try to eliminate. Your doctor might be able to tell simply by looking at your skin you have ringworm and not eczema. If they're still unsure, they might scrape some skin cells from the area to look at under a microscope.
In general, you can get rid of ringworm with over-the-counter antifungal medications. Your pharmacist may be able to guide you to the right product for you, depending on the location of your symptoms. In some cases, you may need stronger antifungal medications, which you can only get with a prescription from your doctor.
Eczema is different. You can't get rid of it, or "cure" it, in the same way that you can cure ringworm. There are, however, a number of things that may help you manage your symptoms and keep flare-ups to a minimum:
Keep in mind that you might do all of the "right" things at the right time to help lessen your symptoms and still have serious eczema flare-ups. Eczema is an unpredictable condition, and scientists and doctors continue to look for better ways to treat it.
Tioconazole Vs. Miconazole: What Are The Differences?
Medically reviewed by Lindsay Cook, PharmD
Tioconazole and miconazole are both anti-fungal medications. They both help treat certain fungal infections by breaking down the fungi structure. Without the basic fungal structure, the fungi can not survive on its own.
Both tioconazole and miconazole help treat vaginal yeast infections. However, miconazole can also be used for other types of fungal infections, such as oral thrush, athlete's foot, ringworm, or jock itch.
This article will help you understand the similarities and differences between tioconazole and miconazole.
What Are Tioconazole and Miconazole?Tioconazole and miconazole are medications used to treat different types of fungal infections that belong to a drug class called imidazole antifungals.
Both of these medications can fight fungal infections by inhibiting a protein that creates ergosterol, which is an essential substance needed for fungal structure and protection. Without ergosterol, the fungi structure is weakened and vulnerable to your body's immune system. As a result, the fungus cannot survive, and the infection is cleared.
Miconazole is approved to treat the following:
Vaginal yeast infections in people 12 years and older
Oral thrush in people 2 and older
Tinea or fungal infections that result in athlete's foot, ringworm, or jock itch in people 2 and older
Tioconazole is only approved to treat vaginal yeast infections in those 12 and older.
Available Brands and FormulationsBased on the brand and formulation, tioconazole and miconazole are available over-the-counter (OTC) or by prescription.
Tioconazole is only formulated as an ointment for vaginal use. Miconazole has many different formulations based on the infection site:
For oral thrush, miconazole is available as a dissolvable tablet that is placed between the gums and the cheek. This formulation is prescription only.
For vaginal yeast infections, miconazole is available OTC as a suppository or an ointment placed in the vagina.
For tinea-related infections, miconazole is available OTC as a cream, powder, or spray.
The comparison of the different brands of tioconazole and miconazole is provided below.
Brand products containing tioconazole Brand products containing miconazoleMonistat 1
Monistat 3
Monistat 7
Lotrimin AF
Micatin
Zeasorb AF
Desenex
Remedy Antifungal
Fungoid Tincture
Ting Antifungal
Vusion
The main difference between tioconazole and miconazole is the type of fungal infections they treat.
Tioconazole is only available to treat vaginal yeast infections. Whereas miconazole is used to treat many other types of fungal infections, too, such as oral thrush, athlete's foot, ringworm, or jock itch.
The following table summarizes the primary differences between tioconazole and miconazole.
Miconazole
Tioconazole
Uses
Treats vaginal yeast infections, tinea-related infections, and oral thrush
Treats vaginal yeast infections
Dosage forms
Available in dissolvable tablets, creams, sprays, suppositories, and powders
Available as an ointment
Administration routes
Vaginal, topical, and buccal
Vaginal
Dosing
Yeast infections: Once daily for three to seven days; Tinea-related infections: Twice daily until infection clears; Oral thrush: Once daily for two weeks
Single use
Dosing: Tioconazole vs. MiconazoleTioconazole is available as a 6.5% ointment. To administer it, you use an applicator filled with the ointment to place it in the vagina at bedtime.
The vaginal applicator is already pre-filled with the ointment, so all you have to do is push the medicine into the vagina, similar to a tampon. Once the medication is applied, dispose of the applicator.
You can still use tioconazole if you are menstruating; however, avoid using tampons during this time. Instead, opt for sanitary napkins. Using tampons can prevent the medication from working properly since the tampon will absorb the ointment. Even if you're not on your period, it is recommended to wear a sanitary napkin as the ointment can leak out.
Miconazole comes as a cream or suppository for inserting into the vagina.
The duration of treatment using a suppository is based on the doses listed below:
1200 milligram (mg) one-time dose
200 mg dose for three days
100 mg dose for seven days
The duration of treatment using the cream is based on the doses listed below:
If you are using miconazole for oral thrush, apply a 50 mg tablet to the upper gum region in your mouth in the morning after brushing your teeth once a day for seven to 14 days.
Related: How Long Does Monistat 1 Stay Inside You?
What Are the Side Effects?Some common side effects that both tioconazole and miconazole share include:
Vaginal irritation
Itching
Less commonly, vaginal miconazole may cause pelvic cramps.
Rarely, topical use in the form of a cream has caused localized allergic reactions at the application site.
Which Is More Effective?There are limited studies comparing the effectiveness of tioconazole and miconazole. Both agents can work well in treating vaginal yeast infections. However, miconazole has a broader spectrum of uses. It can also help treat other fungal infections.
The Infectious Diseases Society of America recommends topical anti-fungal agents for these infections, with no preference as to which medication is best.
Other Treatment Options for Yeast InfectionsTioconazole and miconazole are not the only options available for treating vaginal yeast infections.
Other treatment options available OTC for vaginal yeast infections include:
Clotrimazole 1% cream
Clotrimazole 2% cream
Prescription treatments for vaginal yeast infections include:
SummaryTioconazole and miconazole are both imidazole anti-fungal medications used to treat vaginal yeast infections. However, miconazole has a broader spectrum of antifungal activity, allowing its use in other fungal infections, such as oral thrush and athlete's foot.
Because of miconazole's wider variety of uses, it has several different dosages and administration forms. For vaginal yeast infections, tioconazole only needs to be used once, whereas miconazole comes in three- and seven-day regimens.
Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat should I do if my yeast infection doesn't go away?
Contact your healthcare provider if your yeast infection isn't clearing up. Generally, recommendations suggest continuing the medication you started with for 10 to 14 days, followed by fluconazole 150 mg by mouth once a week for six months.
Can I use tioconazole or miconazole while pregnant?
Only topical vaginal use of tioconazole and miconazole is safe while pregnant. However, it is recommended that the duration of treatment should be seven days for pregnant people. Therefore, miconazole 2% will be the better option since the duration of therapy is seven days.
The author would like to recognize and thank Alexya Rosas for contributing to this article.
Read the original article on Verywell Health.
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