RINGWORM: THE CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS

RINGWORM ON THE SKIN

• Round, flat patches on the skin characterised by a raised, scaly border.
• The patches appear to be red or pink on light-skinned persons.
• On dark coloured skin, the patches usually appear brown or grey.
• Patches usually grow slowly, increasing significantly in size, consequently appearing on more body areas.
• The centres of the patches tend to clear up first.
• The patches tend to be intensely itchy.

RINGWORM ON THE FEET (ATHLETE’S FOOT)

• Itching, burning, & stinging sensations on the soles and in-between your toes.
• Dry and scaly skin that usually begins in- between the toes and can spread slowly to the bottom of the feet, sides of the feet, or both
• Peeling of the skin​
• Bleeding, thick patches of red and scaly skin, blisters and painful cracking skin
• Whitening and softening of the skin in-between the toes
• Foul odour
• Development of rashes on the hands due to the touching of the infected foot.

RINGWORM ON THE HAND

• Dry skin that spreads widely on the palm
• Ring-shaped patches on the back of the hand
• Deep cracks on both palms
• Infection may spread to the fingernails (see nails below)
• Can be mistaken for extremely dry skin or dry, thick skin due to working with hands
• May get athlete’s foot from touching your feet

RINGWORM ON THE GROIN (JOCK ITCH)

• Initial sign: A red/brown/grey rash accompanied by swelling & intense itching in the crease where the leg fuse with the body
• Rash spreads slowly to the groin before reaching the inner thigh, waist, and buttocks
• Development of scales and a raised border on the infected skin area.
• Skin becomes flaky, and crack. It might also peel.
• Infected skin can become intensely itchy.

RINGWORM ON THE BEARD AREA

Ringworm can develop in men who have facial hair. Most men get ringworm infection when they have contact with infected animals. This explains why farmers & ranchers seem to develop it more often. The signs and symptoms of ringworm usually appear in the bearded area of the face & neck. These include:

• Intense redness & swelling on the bearded area
• The appearance of pus-filled bumps on the bearded area.
• Loss of hair in the affected area. The hair will grow back once the ringworm is treated.
• Swelling of the lymph nodes
• Raw and open skin
• Elevated, soft, and spongy skin that drains fluid
• Skin appearing like acne, folliculitis, or another skin condition
• Some men experience low mood.

RINGWORM ON THE SCALP

• A scaly, hairless patch on the skin
• Widespread baldness appearing as thick, crusty patches on the scalp
• Presence of numerous black dots in the bald area on the scalp
• Open sores on the scalp draining pus
• Elevated, soft, spongy & inflamed area on the scalp
• Swelling of the lymph nodes
• Intense itching on the affected part of the scalp

If you experience any of these signs or symptoms, you should visit a dermatologist London. You could have ringworm or another type of skin infection. You can walk into our dermatology clinic in London or call 020 71833648