what causes ringworms?
103554
Ringworm, also known as Tinea is a contagious fungal infection of the skin. Contrary to its name, ringworm is not caused by a worm.\n\nRingworm is very common, especially among children, and may be spread by skin-to-skin contact, as well as via contact with contaminated items such as hairbrushes. Ringworm spreads readily, as those infected are contagious even before they show symptoms of the disease. Humans can contract ringworm from animals; cats and dogs are often carriers. It should be noted that any contact sports such as wrestling has a risk of contracting the fungal infection through skin-to-skin contact.\n\nTypes\nA number of species of fungi called dermatophytes cause ringworm. Members of the genera Trichophyton and Microsporum are the most common causative agents. These fungi attack various parts of the body and lead to the following conditions:\n\nTinea corporis affects the arms, legs, and trunk \nTinea capitis affects the scalp \nTinea cruris (jock itch) affects the groin area \nTinea pedis (athlete's foot) affects the feet \nTinea unguium affects the fingernails and toenails \nTinea versicolor \n\nSymptoms and diagnosis\nThe best known sign of ringworm is the appearance of one or more red raised itchy patches with defined edges. These patches are often lighter in the center, taking on the appearance of a ring. If the infected area involves the scalp or beard area, then bald patches may become evident. If the nails are affected, they may thicken, discolor, and finally crumble.\n\nDoctors can diagnose ringworm on sight, or they may take a skin scraping. This is examined under a microscope, or put on an agar plate in a microbiology laboratory and allowed to grow. Some of the fungi fluoresce under a black light examination.\n\nTopical antifungal drugs containing miconazole and clotrimazole, available by perscription or over the counter, are used to clear up the infection. According to Living Well on a Shoestring by the editors of Yankee Magazine, a folk remedy for ringworm is cider vinegar; apply full strength, then rinse with water.\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ring_worm
227094
Sounds like eczema.  It is most commonly caused by food allergies.  Get you child (or you if you breastfeed) off of all dairy, eggs, and wheat.  These are the most common causes of eczema due to food allergies.  If this doesn't do it, look to soy allergies.  You can replace cow's milk with goat's milk.
403505
Take your son back to the doctor. They will do a throat swab, blood test or urine test to narrow down the exact nature of the infection causing the swollen tonsils and lymph nodes. After that they can prescribe a more specific antibiotic for your son instead of the broad spectrum one they are probably using now. It is the cat that has ringworm, not your son, so that should have nothing to do with the problem. If your son does have ringworm it will be visible on his skin as small do-nut shaped circles with a red spot in center that expands outward as the circles get bigger. You can point these out to the doctor if he has any and ask his opinion. They can be treated with tinactin or similar products available at your drugstore. Ask the pharamcist.
46612
You may have had rigworm somewhere else on your body and and touched your scalp or someone who had it touched your scalp. Ringworm is highly contagious. You must be sure to wash and disinfect everything that may have come in contact with you and control the area. Do not itch or touch it, if you do make sure you wash your hands immediatley.
114736
You just said the answer.\n\nIt is caused by too much diet
296314
try FUNGRYX\n\nat this link. good luck. \nhttp://www.symptoms-ringworm-treatment.com/get-rid-of-ringworms.html
848865
it is caused by vitamin and calcium defieciency. What you could do to prevent it is give them some bits of clam shells or egg shells.
131831
I dont agree with above. I have 3 kids & they have had ring worm, it is contagious! They actualy come from dirt,since cats dig in the dirt the most they have them more than other animals.Horses have also been known to have them. To get rid of them they need to dry out. You should get any type of cream or spray that is for fungus, apply it 2-3 times a day. Try not to touch it any more than you have to & keep your hands washed alot. I have been told that even when they start to go away you should keep putting the cream on them, do that for one week after you dont see it any more. It normaly takes about a month for them to go away compleatly!!
414037
it can be insect bite, herpes, shingles , contact dermatitis reaction,pythiriasis rosea, ...\nsee your doctor to make sure they are harmless.
746370
This could be caused by several different things. Could be nothing, could be serious. See your doctor.
145510
I had a kitten a few years ago that had ring worm, and then I got it. It takes about 2 weeks with treatment.
471082
Well, three quesses.\n According to your hypothesis we rub in dirt and bacteria, so maybe nature is doing this on purpose to make us get bateria on us to build up our immune systems. \n Or maybe there are chemicals or enzymes in things that bite us or touch our skin (like being allergic to metal) that cause the itch. \n But I think the most popular answer to this queston would have something to do with the fact that during a months time your skin is completeky recycled meaning, the layer that was on the very bottom at the begining of that month is now the top layer of skin. You itch because dead skin is needing to be scracted off.
733393
It has many different causes. See your doctor.
941522
Ring worm is actually not a worm, it's a fungal infection called "tinea cruris." It's caused by certain fungi found in the environment.\nYou want to keep the area as dry as possible and avoid topical steroids. You want to use topical anti-fungal meds like Spectazole, Nizoral, Lamisil...beleive it or not, one of the most effective and cheaper options is Monistat 7 - it's over-the-counter and safe too!\nIf a health professional can take a look, that would be best for an accurate diagnosis and treatment.
216750
fungi digest their food by secreting a digestive enzyme to break down the food then they sort of engulf the food\n\ntrue...some fungi are parasites...some can cause ringworm, athlete's foot\n\nthe deuteromycota fungi are not multicellular\n\nhyphae is a the threadlike filaments that form the mycelium of the fungi\n\ni don't know how thick they are...but they are very very thin\n\ni took this test long time ago in high school...i still remember it because i have to know my biology.
1073977
Ringworm is a contagious fungus infection that can affect the scalp, the body, the feet (athlete's foot), or the nails.\n\nPeople can get Ringworm from: 1) direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person or pet, 2) indirect contact with an object or surface that an infected person or pet has touched, or 3) rarely, by contact with soil. \nRingworm can be treated with fungus-killing medicine. \nTo prevent Ringworm, 1) make sure all infected persons and pets get appropriate treatment, 2) avoid contact with infected persons and pets, 3) do not share personal items, and 4) keep common-use areas clean.
779516
Managing Ringworm ...\nhttp://www.sheltermedicine.com/portal/is_ringworm.shtml#managing\nSome of the items listed are more extreme. Hopefully you can find a less extreme combination that does the trick.  Good luck.