How antimicrobial resistance could trigger the next health crisis in Nepalįungi are relatively easily transmitted because of their ability to survive on a diversity of surfaces, including medical devices.įungal transmission occurs via three primary routes: by coming into close contact with another person who has a ringworm infection by touching an infected animal, be it livestock, pets or wildlife or by contacting an infected surface.The Last of Us: fungal infections really can kill – and they’re getting more dangerous.Man versus mycelium: The race to create vaccines against fungal threats.But fungi can also grow in unexpected places, such as on wallpaper. Some of them can exhibit both forms of growth and thrive in decaying organic material like soil or a plant. Many fungi can be seen with the naked eye, such as common mushrooms or bread mold.įungi can grow in two forms: yeasts, which are single round cells, and molds, which are made up of many cells forming long, thin, hairlike threads called hyphae. Viktoriya Kabanova/iStock via Getty Images Plus 3. Ringworm commonly affects the scalp area and can cause hair loss.Ĭredit: Viktoriya Kabanova/iStock via Getty Images Plus Ringworm commonly affects the scalp area and can cause hair loss. However, the most well-known sign that gives this infection its ironic and misplaced name – ringworm – is the hallmark ring-shaped rash. Signs and symptoms of an infection usually depend on which part of the body is affected, but generally may include hair loss and red, scaly, cracked skin. The hair, skin and nails of either fingers or toes are the likely landing spots for a ringworm infection. – Living in a subtropical or tropical region. – Handling or working with infected animals. – The use of public showers or locker rooms. – Profuse sweating, also known as hyperhidrosis. – Playing a high-contact sport, like wrestling this ringworm is called tinea gladiatorum. – A weakened immune system or an autoimmune disease like lupus. While anyone can be infected, ringworm is most commonly picked up in the following circumstances: These are characterized by a persistent itchy rash that can appear flaky and cracked. Other names for ringworm are based on its location on the body – for example, ringworm on the feet is commonly called athlete’s foot, and ringworm associated with the groin area is referred to as jock itch. Medical terms for ringworm are “tinea” and “dermatophytosis.” Tinea and dermatophytosis are synonyms for a contagious fungal infection of the skin. Research shows that there are up to 40 types of fungus that can cause these ringworm infections, with the most common types being from the genuses Trichophyton, Microsporum or Epidermophyton. Experts state that about 20%-25% of the population will experience a ringworm infection at any given time.įungi can be found almost anywhere – soil, plants, surfaces, on the skin and in our bodies, and even in the air. However, a ringworm infection is a common infection of the skin caused by a fungus. When one hears the term ringworm, it likely conjures images of a nasty parasitic worm infection. The Conversation spoke with Rodney Rohde, a medical laboratory professional and public health microbiologist, about the prevalence of ringworm and the growing threat of antifungal resistance around the world. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention later reported that they were caused by a species of fungus that has been spreading throughout South Asia over the past decade. In early 2023, the New York State Department of Health reported two cases of severe tinea, a contagious type of ringworm infection. Similar to the way bacteria have developed resistance to antibiotics, fungal infections throughout the world are becoming more drug-resistant and more deadly. The World Health Organization considers antimicrobial resistance to be one of the most serious threats for global health.
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