THE HSE has issued a major warning over a common "fungal skill infection" with a misleading name and shared how to treat the infection. The alert highlights the misleading concerns, symptoms and treatment of the fungal skin infection. Ringworm is a common fungal skin infection that is not caused by worms and it can appear anywhere on the body, including the scalp, groin and feet.
The infection is mostly found between the toes where the skin becomes white and soft with sore red skin underneath - which is known as athlete's foot. Ringworm on the groin is often called jock itch. The infection is caused by a type of fungus and can be spread through close contact with an infected person or animal, infected objects (bed sheets, combs, towels, etc) and infected soil, which is less common.
The health chiefs said there are six signs of Ringworm, and anyone experiencing the symptoms below should seek treatment for it, which is an easy fix. The main symptom of Ringworm is a red or silver rash which can be found anywhere on the body - the rash may be scaly, dry, swollen or itchy. The rash is often ring-shaped unless it's on your face, neck or scalp.
If the ringworm is on the face or scalp, it may cause some patchy hair loss. In some cases, the rash may not be circular as it may grow and spread or there's more than one rash. However, not all circular rashes are Ringworm, as they can possibly be caused by eczema and psoriasis .
To treat the infection, they have to speak to a pharmacist fir.
