Antifungal Rash Ringworm

A group of many microorganisms, including a group of yeast species called Malassezia, live more or less undetected on our skin.  The yeast can alter its shape under particular circumstances from a round or oval yeast form to a more string-like, branching rash. The yeast can travel under the skin and generate an acidic substance. This substance can alter the level of pigment or color in new skin cells.  The yeast causes a fungal infection or rash, ringworm.

Arms, hands, neck, legs, feet, etc. are all areas ringworm likes to target because rash ringworm usually occurs on the body parts that are exposed.  The normal appearance is that they form circular growths that may vary darker or lighter than the normal skin color.  Symptoms may include skin lesion, rash and itching of the infected area. Ringworm infections are common where conditions are unsanitary and crowded with people.

Most people who become infected with fungal rash ringworm are in good health. If you are taking a corticosteroid medication such as prednisone for another health problem there is a higher risk of contracting an infection.  It is also seen more often in women who are taking some form of birth control pills. This is also this case for women who are pregnant.  An over-the-counter antifungal cream or ointment is the usual treatment for ringworm, except for tinea capitis, which is much more difficult to treat and often requires several months of an oral medication. Even with the use of a antifungal rash ringworm and other skin infections could reoccur.

Ringworm is a highly contagious skin infection.  This infection can affect both animals and humans.  The rash may be mildly irritating, but sometimes it is very itchy and inflamed. The rash may vary depending on which type of fungus causes the infection. Sometimes fungal skin infections look similar to other skin rashes, such as psoriasis.  The fungi can travel around the body in the blood stream which enables them to spread to the warm, moist areas of the body. This gives rise to vaginal Candidiasis, Jock itch and an array of other problems both inside and outside of the body.  What happens when the rash starts to develop is a small area of infected skin will spread outwards. It typically develops into a circular, red, inflamed patch of skin. It is rarely serious, but in most cases requires treatment of some kind.