Ringworm (cont.)
How is ringworm diagnosed?
Often, the diagnosis of ringworm is obvious from its location and appearance. Otherwise, skin scrapings for microscopic examination and a culture of the affected skin can establish the diagnosis of ringworm.
How is ringworm treated?
Ringworm can be treated topically (with external applications) or
systemically (for example, with oral medications):
Topical treatment: When fungus affects the skin of the body or the groin, many antifungal creams can clear the condition in two weeks or so. Examples of such preparations include those that contain clotrimazole (Cruex cream, Desenex cream, Lotrimin cream, lotion, and solution), miconazole (Monistat-Derm cream), ketoconazole (Nizoral cream), and terbinafine (Lamisil cream and solution). These treatments are effective for many cases of foot fungus as well.
Systemic treatment: Some fungus infections do not respond
well to external applications. Examples include scalp fungus and
fungus of the nails. To penetrate
these areas, oral medications are necessary.
For a long time, the only effective antifungal tablet was
griseofulvin (Fulvicin, Grifulvin, and Gris-PEG).
Now, other agents
are available that are both safer and more
effective. These include terbinafine, itraconazole
(Sporanox), and fluconazole (Diflucan). Reputations die hard,
however, and many people continue to fear that even these newer
agents are "bad for the liver," when in fact they are quite safe when
used properly.
Next: How can ringworm be prevented? »
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