Dermatomycosis is a very contagious fungal infection. Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton tonsurans are the two most common causative agent of ringworm in humans. They spread through direct contact of an infected person. Fungal spores can also be transmitted in an indirect manner through using contaminated things such as towels and cap, and walking barefoot on public bathrooms and locker rooms.

Anyone can get infected with ringworm, but children have the most number in terms of ringworm infection. Generally, individuals that are too young and too old are high risk for fungal infection because of their underdeveloped and weak immune systems. Diseases that cause immune suppression can also lead an individual to become infected with dermatomycosis.

Types of Human Ringworm

Ringworms can occur in the different areas of your body, and here are a list of ringworm types and where they appear:

- Tinea Capitis- ringworm found on the scalp;

- Tinea Faciei- dermatomycosis found on the face except to those areas where beard grows;

- Tinea Corporis- ringworm that develop on the skin of the body;

- Tinea Pedis- also known as athlete's foot. It is a ringworm that infects the feet of a person particularly on the toe webs;

- Tinea Cruris- tinea that occurs on the groin or skin folds in the genital area;

- Tinea Barbae- also called as barber's itch. It is a dermatophyte infection found on the bearded areas of the face and neck;

- Tinea Manus- tinea that appears on the palmar surface and spaces between the fingers, and it usually affects one hand. Most of the time it is accompanied with tinea pedis;

- Tinea Unguium- ringworm involving the nails. It is also referred as fungal nails or onchomycosis.

Diagnosis

To identify the type of ringworm you have, it is highly recommended to consult your physician so that you will be guided on the proper treatment of your fungal infection. Here are the diagnostic examinations that a physician does to check out if you really have dermatomycosis:

1) Examination of the appearance and location of ringworm;

2) Using an ultraviolet light (Wood's lamp) to check the presence of fungi; and,

3) Perform microscopic examinations and culture of scrapings from lesions may be used.

Treatment

If you only have one lesion of ringworm, it does not necessarily require treatment. Usually it responds to proper self care within four weeks time. But for some cases, it requires anti-fungal medications to hasten the elimination of fungi.

1) Topical anti-fungal medications- usually indicated for tinea affecting the groin, feet, and skin of the body.

2) Systemic anti-fungal medications- These are taken orally, and is prescribed by doctors for the treatment of scalp and nail ringworm infection.

Prevention

- Keep your skin clean and free from moist.

- Wear footwear when taking a bath in public shower rooms and when going into locker rooms.

- Do not share personal things from others.

- Keep away from pets or persons that have scaly patches because it might be a form of tinea.