Ringworm

What is Ringworm?

Alopecia areata, commonly known as ringworm, is a disease that occurs suddenly in hairy areas such as hair, hedgehogs, mustaches or beards and causes localized hair loss. If it occurs in the hairy area, it causes circular hair loss that can be seen from the outside of the scalp. Ringworm occurs in approximately 80% of people under the age of 40. Some patients may experience hair regrowth in the areas where hair loss has occurred, while others may experience the formation of new lesions. Ringworm is more common in men than in women.

There are different types of ringworm. The most common type of ringworm affecting the scalp is called alopecia areata universalis. In some people, the scalp does not fall out, but the hair strands suddenly become thinner and weaker. This type is called diffuse alopecia areata. Another type of ringworm is a condition in which the hair falls out suddenly and completely. alopecia areata totalis. When the hair loss is in the form of a hair band at the nape of the neck and behind the ears, it is called ophiasis alopecia areata.

Ringworm Symptoms

The most characteristic symptom of ringworm is the appearance of one or more smooth oval-shaped hairless areas on the scalp. There is no inflammatory condition in the affected area, and the skin in the area is extremely healthy. Hair loss in the hair starts from the temple and eyebrow area. In a period ranging from 5 days to 5 weeks, hair loss progresses. Some patients may also experience burning and itching in the affected area in addition to hair loss.

Although ringworm first starts on the scalp, if it progresses, eyelash, eyebrow, armpit, beard and pubic hair loss can also be seen. Some patients' nail structures are also affected by ringworm.

In some patients, ringworm is recurrent and the course and rate of progression of the disease is unpredictable. For this reason, spontaneous recovery is also seen in some patients. However, the hair regrowing in the balding area grows white. If the inflammation has affected the hair follicles, hair is expected to grow back. In approximately 30% of patients, ringworm may worsen or recur. In one in 10 patients, ringworm is also known to affect other parts of the body.

Symptoms of ringworm also include changes in the fingernails and toenails. These symptoms are more common in ringworm, especially in children. In some patients, these symptoms appear as the first sign of the disease. The symptoms seen in the nails are as follows:

• Thinning or splitting of the nails,
• Pale nails,
• Hardening of the nails,
• White spotting
• Linearization,
• Pinhole-shaped indentations,

Other symptoms of ringworm are as follows:

• Hair thickening towards the ends,
• The hair strands in the area affected by ringworm break before they reach the surface,
• Graying of hair in the affected area,

Ringworm Causes

The exact cause of ringworm has not yet been established. The most widely accepted theory is that it is one of the autoimmune diseases. For this reason, it is assumed that patients' immune systems attack the hair follicles. In this case, it causes the hair to stop growing and then to fall out.

Some of the studies on ringworm have shown that genetic factors are also effective. A child with ringworm is 3 to 6 times more likely to have ringworm than the general population. On the other hand, some diseases supported by genetics can cause ringworm. These diseases include:

• Vitiligo,
• Atopic allergic asthma,
• Hay fever
• Psoriasis
• Addison's disease,
• Eczema
• Lupus,

Factors Increasing the Risk of Ringworm

• Under 40 years of age,
• Autoimmune disease
• Becoming a man
• Down syndrome
• Genetic predisposition,

How is ringworm diagnosed?

Because the symptoms of ringworm are so typical, patients are often able to diagnose the disease even before they consult a specialist. However, some patients may confuse ringworm with ringworm. For this reason, it is extremely important to consult a specialist to get the correct diagnosis. To make a diagnosis, specialists first examine the symptoms of the disease and assess the degree of shedding. They also examine a few strands of hair under a microscope to ensure that the diagnosis is accurate.

Since ringworm is thought to be an autoimmune disease, blood tests will help to clarify this situation. The tests that can be performed for this include examination of thyroid hormone levels, antinuclear antibody test, iron parameters, CRP and sedimentation rate.

Contrary to popular belief, ringworm is not a contagious disease. However, biopsy is used in some patients to rule out fungal infections that are similar to ringworm. This biopsy also helps to identify diffuse forms.

Another method used in the diagnosis of ringworm is dermoscopy. With this method, specialists can examine the affected area for signs of hair breakage, yellow or black spots and exclamation mark hair strands.

Ringworm Treatment Methods

The aim of ringworm treatment planned by dermatologists is to stop the disease. It is also aimed for new hair to grow faster in place of the lost hair strands. In some cases, mild and early-stage ringworm can heal spontaneously without any treatment. It can take time to find the right medication for ringworm, the treatment of which is extremely complex.

Steroid Treatment

In the treatment of advanced ringworm, steroids are used. Steroid group drugs are primarily used in cream form. In the later stages, if deemed necessary, it can be applied to the scalp by injection method. These medicines accelerate blood flow to the ringworm area.

Other Drug Treatments

There are also different groups of medicines used in the treatment of ringworm. Some patients also receive immunotherapy. In addition, immunosuppressive drugs and ultraviolet rays can also be used during treatment.

Nutrition for Ringworm Patients

To help treat ringworm, which is seen as an autoimmune disease, it is necessary to follow the nutritional rules that apply to other autoimmune diseases. Among the general dietary rules in autoimmune diseases, the priority is to avoid foods containing gluten and lactose. Patients should also avoid consuming foods with additives and turn to healthy fats. In addition, some herbal solutions are also used to support ringworm treatment. These herbal supports are as follows:

• Garlic
• Aloe vera,
• Grapefruit extract,
• Coconut oil,
• Turmeric
• Salt,
• Lemongrass leaves,

Is ringworm contagious?

In particular, the fact that more than one person in the same family has hair breakage causes the disease to be thought to be contagious. However, ringworm is not a contagious disease. The reason why it occurs in the same family is genetically inherited factors.

Hair loss is not transmitted from person to person, nor does it spread from the scalp to other parts of the patient's body. However, it is random in which part of the body it can be seen. For this reason, there are also types of hair breakage that are not seen in the hairy area but are seen in other parts of the body.

What should a person with ringworm pay attention to?

In order to prevent hair breakage, people should take care of their hair care. First of all, both women and men, regardless of gender, need to prevent hair loss. For this, the right hair care methods should be applied.

In addition, factors that may cause hair breakage should also be avoided. These factors include stress, aging, genetic factors, psychological problems and nutritional deficiencies.

In addition, chemicals used in hair care and chronic diseases that people have are also among the causes of hair breakage. For this reason, it is recommended that people control their chronic diseases and use care products containing natural ingredients instead of chemical options in hair care.

Symptoms of ringworm recovery

In order to be able to talk about the success of hair loss treatment, hair loss must first be stopped. In the following processes, new hairs grow in the areas of hair loss. However, the first hair to grow may be thinner than the other hair strands.