Although the words ringworm, jock itch, and athlete’s foot may sound funny, if you’re a person with one of these skin infections, you’re probably not laughing. If you’ve ever had one, you know that skin infections can produce some pretty unpleasant symptoms. The good news is that tinea, the name for this category of common skin infections, is generally easy to treat.
The Basics on Tineal Infections
Tinea (pronounced: tih-nee-uh) is the medical name for a group of related fungal skin infections, including athlete’s foot, jock itch, and ringworm (which is not a worm at all) and can affect the skin, nails, or scalp. These infections are caused by several types of mold-like fungi called dermatophytes (pronounced: der-mah-tuh-fights), and live on the dead tissues of your skin, hair, and nails.
What is Jock Itch?
Jock itch – affects the groin area. Jock itch doesn’t just affect jocks; (the American name for a football player) anyone who tends to sweat a lot may get this infection. (Particularly guys, but girls can get it, too) The fungi that cause jock itch thrive in warm, moist environments, especially areas like the insides of the thighs. The signs and symptoms of jock itch include itching and redness in the inner thigh area. The skin may flake, peel, or crack.
Can I Prevent it?
To prevent getting jock itch, dry your genital area and your inner thighs thoroughly with a clean towel after showering or swimming. Avoid sharing towels because this can spread the infection and make sure that clothes such as sports uniforms fit you correctly so they don’t cause irritation in that area by rubbing or chafing your skin.
What Is Athlete’s Foot?
Athlete’s foot affects the palms or soles of the feet and the areas between the toes. Athlete’s foot doesn’t just affect athletes; anyone whose feet tend to be damp or sweaty may get this infection. The fungi that cause athlete’s foot thrive in warm, moist environments. The signs and symptoms of athlete’s foot include itching, burning, redness, and stinging on the soles of your feet. The skin may flake, peel, or crack.
Can I Prevent Getting Athlete’s Foot?
Athlete’s foot is contagious. It’s often spread in damp areas, such as public showers or pool areas. To prevent getting athlete’s foot, dry your feet – and the spaces between your toes – thoroughly after showering or swimming with a clean towel. (Avoid sharing towels because this can spread the infection.) If you use public showers, such as after PE or sports practice, wear waterproof shoes to protect your feet. To keep your feet as dry as possible, try to avoid wearing the same shoes or sneakers all the time, and don’t wear socks made of polyester, nylon, or other synthetic materials. Cotton or wool socks are a better bet. If possible, choose sneakers that are well ventilated – some sneakers contain small ventilation holes that help to keep your feet dry.
What Is Ringworm?
Ringworm isn’t a worm at all. The medical name for ringworm of the scalp is tinea capitis; ringworm of the body is called tinea corporis; and ringworm of the nails is called tinea unguium. Ringworm of the skin starts as a red, scaly patch or bump. Over time, it may begin to look like a ring or a series of rings with raised bumpy borders around a clear centre. This ring pattern gave ringworm its name, but not every person who’s infected develops the rings.
Can I Prevent it?
The most common sources of the fungi that cause tinea infections are other people, animals such as cats and dogs, or soil. It can be difficult to keep from getting ringworm because these fungi are very common. Because fungi are often on your skin, even minor scratches or cuts can make you more susceptible to infection. If you get a scratch or cut, clean it as soon as possible. It’s also always a good idea to wash your hands when they are dirty and after touching pets. Ringworm is contagious and is easily spread from one person to another, so avoid touching an infected area on another person. If you do discover a red, patchy area that you think may be ringworm, visit your pharmacist.
How are these conditions treated?
There are plenty of over-the-counter antifungal creams and sprays that may solve the problem, but some of them smell pretty strong. Healtheries distribute a product called “Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Anti-Fungal Gel” that is a powerful, natural broad spectrum anti-fungal (that means it kills jock itch, ringworm and athletes foot) with tea tree oil, which has the added advantage of having a subtle smell.
Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Anti-Fungal Gel contains a natural active ingredient rather than a chemical fungicide, it’s easy to apply (just clean and dry the effected area, then apply gel three times a day), it minimises the retention of moisture or sweat, contains ethanol to dry the skin quickly and contains a natural ingredient which helps tea tree oil permeate the skin, allowing it to reach the site of infection.
For more information, visit the Thursday Plantation website at here!
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