Ringworm is a contagious fungus infection. It is caused by the virus called tinea and may affect many areas such as the scalp, the feet or the nails. The main causes of getting infected are direct skin to skin contact with an infected person, indirect contact which means the touching of an object with who an infected person got in contact, or in few cases, after contact with soil.



The incubation period for the virus called tinea is longer than 4 days, in some cases it could be about 7 days. After the contact with a person with ringworm there is a risk to get infected even if in few of the cases people do not get the infection.

If you noticed that you have got in contact with a person that is infected you need to check you skin for about a week after the contact. If it is for the first time it is good to know that this ringworm starts looking like a pimple that in some cases might itch. If it is not for the first time people will surely recognize the distinctive itch. After its appearance the zit expands and forms a ring. There comes its name the ringworm. If this infection is not treated from the beginning the formed ring expands and its middle starts to clear up and a red border can be seen.

The most effective treatment for ringworms is in the first phase a good wash of the zone. After a good wash of the zit the crust formed on it will be removed. Then medication should be applied to the exposed skin. There are many ways to avoid ringworms. After the appearance of the zit an acetone wash or an acetone with tolnaftate wash might help. One of the best ways to skip ringworms is Lamisil containing tolnaftate and terbinafine.

Menthol shampoos might also help in cleaning and prepping the ringworm. Even better than menthol shampoos are the iodine shampoos but this type is not easily available.

After washing with any of these indicated stuff people should know how to dry the infected area. For small areas tissues might do but for large areas a towel must be used. After its usage the towel must be washed in hot water for the virus to disappear.

When ringworm infected areas are dry it is recommended the usage of Lamisil. The effect of Lamisil will be seen the next day after its usage. Not like other treatments, Lamisil really kills the fungus, while other treatments only stop the fungus from reproducing.