Microsporia in humans: causes, symptoms and treatment methods

Microsporia in humans is quite common. It is an infectious disease of fungal origin, which is better known as ringworm. Pathogenic microorganisms, as a rule, affect skin tissues and hair, more rarely - nail plates. In any case, a sick person needs medical care.

Microsporia in humans and its causes

As already mentioned, the cause of this disease is a fungal infection, namely the fungus of the genus Microsporum. The source of infection can be either an infected person or a sick animal. The fact is that on the affected areas of the skin, as a rule, scales are formed, under which spores of the fungus accumulate - this is how the infection spreads.

You can see that the household transmission path is quite possible. Disputes can be "picked up" when sharing bed linen, clothes, towels, combs, and also during the care of sick animals. Getting on the surface of the skin, the fungus quickly penetrates into the tissue - this is how microsporia develops in humans. The incubation period may be different, but as a rule, the first symptoms appear within 1-2 weeks. By the way, spores of pathogenic microorganisms remain active in the external environment for many months.

Microsporia in humans: photos and symptoms

As already mentioned, fungal parasites most often affect the skin (including the scalp), destroy hair and bulbs, and occasionally even pass to the fingernails of the hands and feet. In most cases, the skin appears rounded form of inflammation - this area acquires a reddish hue and slightly rises above the surface.

As the disease develops, the affected area of the skin becomes covered with white, grayish or yellowish scales. If the fungus affects the scalp, it quickly passes to the hair follicle, resulting in its destruction. In the future, hair becomes dry and dull, lose strength and drop out.

When the nail plate is damaged, a spot of white appears on the tip of the nail - here the tissues become thinner, become soft and gradually break down.

In some cases microsporia in people is accompanied by suppuration, as a result of which small pustules can be seen on the skin, which eventually open up - their contents are released, forming yellowish crusts. Most often the disease is accompanied by itching and burning.

Microsporia in humans: treatment methods

Typically, therapy involves the use of external antifungal agents. For the treatment of the skin, special ointments are used: Terbinafine, Clotrimazole, etc. Sulfur, tar and sulfur salicylic ointment are also useful. These agents have antiseptic properties and accelerate the regeneration processes.

If the infection has affected the scalp, then special shampoos, masks, gels and even hair aerosols are used. In particular, preparations containing ketoconazole, for example "Nizoral", are considered effective. In more severe cases, systemic therapy is required, which involves the use of external agents, as well as the intake of antifungal drugs.

With severe inflammation, doctors prescribe special hormonal ointments.