The fungi that cause ringworm grow in warm, humid places such as locker rooms, swimming pools and skin folds. It is a highly contagious infection and spreads during skin-to-skin contact or sharing towels, clothes or sports gear. Ringworm infection results in a red, itchy and sometimes round-ringed rash on the skin and scalp. Sometimes the infection can be quite difficult to get rid of, though there are several options for treatment for even the most stubborn of ringworm.
Prevention
A ringworm infection that stubbornly refuses to heal may do so simply because the infection is given ideal conditions for survival. Re-infection is also extremely likely in the case of ringworm. The best way to treat a stubborn ringworm infection is to practice good prevention methods. Avoiding hot and humid environments such as locker rooms and swimming pools can go a long way. The infection does not survive as strongly in cool, dry places. Also, showering and shampooing well after sweating and wearing loose cotton clothing greatly help to avoid spreading. To avoid re-infection, wear sandals or socks all the time, wash clothes in very hot water and don't reuse towels until infection is gone.
Home Care
While prevention methods and time should kill even stubborn ringworm infections, some ringworm may need medicinal help. Topical, over-the-counter creams work very well against ringworm when directly applied to clean, dry legions up to 1 inch around its border. These creams usually require two or three weeks use before fully curing the infection.
Medical Assistance
If home care doesn't get rid of ringworm, then it is important to visit a doctor quickly to avoid spreading or complicating the infection. A doctor can identify which fungus may have caused the infection in the first place in order to better eradicate the most stubborn infections. It is most likely that a doctor will prescribe a stronger topical cream in order to treat a specific fungus. Doctors sometimes prescribe corticosteroids to help with itching, but this could worsen the infection in some patients. Serious infections or seeping legions will require surgical drainage; extensive infections may require a patient to take an antifungal pill.
Considerations
If the condition is left too long on the skin, patients risk not being able to rely on topical creams to fix it. Instead, more expensive doctor visits and prescriptions will be necessary to get rid of the infection. Also, if the infection gets into or starts in the scalp, it is important to visit a doctor immediately. Ringworm in the scalp can cause hair loss. Ringworm of the nail is far more difficult to cure than infections of the skin and scalp. Oral antifungal medication will be needed to help get rid of the infection, sometimes for extended periods of time. The ringworm attacks the protein underneath the nail. In order to be fully cured, the nail will need to completely grow back.
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