Microsporia (aka ringworm) is a dangerous disease of the skin of all parts of the body. This disease can be present in both humans and animals. It is dangerous in that it affects the skin and nails, and when it reaches the head it can cause hair loss.
Methods of transmission of the disease and its causes
Usually microsporia is transmitted to humans from pets, but methods of infection from a person suffering from this disease are also not excluded.
Also, the causes of the disease can be:
- Childhood
- Lowered immunity, lack of vitamins, malfunctioning of some glands
- Violation of the skin, micro injuries of the skin
- Neurovascular disorders
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Signs of microsporia in humans are:
- Round spots of different diameters on different areas of the skin (the more there are, the more tissue damage is)
- The lesions are covered with small scales, the crust is formed mainly in the center of the spot
- Over time, the edge of the stain rises slightly, forming a ridge consisting of crust and bubbles
- A new focus may form inside the spot
- Moderate itching
- When a hair is infected, a well-visible white “muff” forms around it, the hair falls out, the remnants of their roots are easily pulled out.
The main types of diagnostics of microsporia are:
• Research for the presence of microsporia (scraping) – the crust and scales taken from the foci of the infected are examined in a chemical laboratory, after which the patient is given a test result, and a specific type of fungus is established.
• Luminescent method – this method determines the presence of the causative agent of the disease, the area of skin lesions and the effectiveness of the drugs used for treatment.
• Blood and urine analysis – checking blood and urine for the presence of non-standard elements.
Treatment and prevention
To treat skin microsporia, antifungal drugs and pills prescribed by a doctor are used. In the morning, the spots are smeared with 5% iodine, by the end of the day they are smeared with an ointment against the fungus (sulfuric, sulfur-salicylic, sulfur-tar ointments are used). In addition, the patient uses other modern ointments twice a day to help cope with the fungus. In the presence of an infection, the patient, in addition to the above drugs, also uses Triderm ointment. With exacerbated forms of microsporia, the patient uses Dimexide-containing ointments (applied twice a day).
In case of damage to the scalp, it is necessary to carry out systemic antifungal therapy directed against microsporia, the patient is prescribed Griseofulvin. Patients take this drug three to four times a day with food, washed down with a teaspoon of vegetable oil (used to increase the level of drug solubility in the body). After the first negative test result for the presence of a fungus, its dose is gradually reduced, but they continue to be taken for some time for prevention.
A measure of disease prevention is its timely detection. The patient’s belongings must be disinfected; it is worth observing enhanced control of the cleanliness and sterility of the room in which the patient is located. People who come into contact with the sick must be tested. Animals suspected of having ringworm should be taken to a veterinarian.