Is Ringworm Contagious?
Colloquially known as ringworm, tinea is a skin infection that is actually caused by fungus, not worms. It can affect any part of the body including the groin area, scalp, fingernails, and feet. Though there are different types of fungi that can cause the infection, the most likely culprits are dermatophytes. These organisms actually live on the body, but they normally don’t pose a problem in healthy people. Under the right conditions, however, they can multiply out of control and overrun the body’s natural defenses, leading to an infection.
If you or someone you know has tinea, it’s important that you understand the infection is highly contagious. It can be passed along in several ways, but the primary one is through skin-to-skin contact with humans who are infected. For example, if you shake hands with someone who has ringworm on their fingernails, you can become infected if you don’t take steps to neutralize the problem.
Other ways the infection can be transmitted includes sharing clothing, hats, or shoes with an infected person, coming into contact with animals that have ringworm, and handling items carrying the infection like bedding.
How Long Is It Contagious?
The answer isn’t as clear as people would like. You can transmit the infection to others for as long as the rash is visible on your body. However, dermatophytes live on dead skin cells. They will continue to live on non-biological items like combs and bedding. This means that anyone using these items before they have been cleaned with an antifungal cleanser can be infected.
Is It Contagious During or After Treatment?
Until the rash is completely eliminated from all the affected parts of the body, the person can still transfer the infection. Therefore, ringworm is contagious during treatment, but not afterwards. However, it’s still best to wait for a period of a few days after the rash disappears before resuming intimate activities to ensure the cure has effectively eradicated the dermatophytes.
Top Rated Ringworm Treatment
While there are a number of prescription and over-the-counter products that fight ringworm, the most effective of the bunch is Phytozine. This anti-fungal cream is made from natural ingredients that provide instant relief from itching and pain without causing side effects. It is also effective at preventing the spread of the infection as well as eliminating further reoccurrences. For more information about this popular ringworm treatment, go to the homepage to read a comprehensive review of the pros and cons of Phytozine.