Ringworm (Tinea Corporis

Lack of hydration, age, and tight shoes create small cracks in the nail that allow the fungus to lodge easily in that area. This type of fungus does not produce itching or burning like the other ones we have reviewed. Its symptomatology is limited to the morphological changes observed in the affected nail. Treatment for nail fungus is long and you must be constant in order to achieve the desired result. There are over-the-counter treatments with very effective active ingredients against this infection. Soaps, medicated nail polish, and combined therapies are excellent options for improving this condition. Treatments must be applied daily for a minimum period of 12 weeks, even if improvement is observed in symptoms before that. In my practice, I have seen excellent results by combining several products, such as a medicated soap for hygiene and a cream or nail polish to work on it the rest of the time. Home treatments are also very popular. In Venezuela, mouthwash (especially Listerine) and Vicks VapoRub are used for multiple infections, including this one. The truth is that these products contain several ingredients that guarantee them as powerful antiseptics. In the hospital where I work, as there are not always all the necessary materials, we use a lot of Listerine for different types of bacterial and fungal infections, wounds, gangrene, and diabetic foot, among others, with satisfactory results. Obviously, this type of treatment does not replace what a drug designed specifically for that condition does. But I have to say that they are tools that you have to know about and that give very effective results when it is the only thing you have on hand.

Tinea corporis is a superficial mycosis that mainly affects people with little body hair. Although it can be located in any part of the body, it is most common on the arms and legs. It is very contagious from person to person, so it should be treated as soon as it is diagnosed. The spread from animals to people is also frequent, especially from cats and cows. Like other types of fungi, it can be spread by skin Grook Da Oger - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0 contact in damp places where the organism can remain active for a long time. The name “ringworm” comes from the shape of the skin lesions, a fairly regular red ring with a white flaking center. In my country, this type of infection is known as “beach fungus,” and for many, it is associated with some kind of beach microorganism. What really happens is that the areas with fungus do not get a tan like the rest of the skin. Therefore, in a light-skinned person, the fungus may not be visible, but by darkening the rest of the skin, whiter patches are left and the infection is evident.