Nummulair eczeem of ringworm - Verschillen en overeenkomsten

Comparing Nummular Eczema vs. Ringworm Symptoms

While ringworm usually shows up as a couple of circular rashes, nummular eczema often has multiple patches of circular rashes. They tend to show up on skin that is very dry, while ringworm can happen anywhere.

In general, nummular eczema is also accompanied by more symptoms than ringworm. People with nummular eczema may experience pain and burning, while people with ringworm may not.

Frequent Nummular Eczema Symptoms

Nummular eczema is a chronic condition and is not contagious. The sores can heal in three to four weeks. You’re more likely to experience nummular eczema on extremely dry skin or skin that has been injured. People who have other types of eczema are also more likely to experience nummular eczema.

Common symptoms of nummular eczema include:

• Tiny red bumps
• Blisters
• Red or brown (depending on your skin tone) raised rash
• Itching
• Scaly skin
• Burning

Frequent Ringworm Symptoms

Ringworm can appear anywhere on the body but is most often found on the feet (athlete’s foot), groin area (jock itch), scalp, hands, nails, and beard. Symptoms tend to start about four to 14 days after exposure to the fungus that causes the infection.

Common symptoms of ringworm include:

• Ring-shaped rash
• Itching
• Scaly skin
• Redness
• Cracked skin
• Hair loss

Overview - Discoid eczema

Without treatment, discoid eczema can last for weeks, months or even years. It may also keep coming back – often in the same area that was affected previously.

Discoid eczema causes distinctive circular or oval patches of eczema. It can affect any part of the body, although it does not usually affect the face or scalp.

The first sign of discoid eczema is usually a group of small spots or bumps on the skin. These then quickly join up to form larger patches that can range from a few millimetres to several centimetres in size.

On lighter skin these patches will be pink or red. On darker skin these patches can be a dark brown or they can be paler than the skin around them.

Initially, these patches are often swollen, blistered (covered with small fluid-filled pockets) and ooze fluid. They also tend to be very itchy, particularly at night.

Over time, the patches may become dry, crusty, cracked and flaky. The centre of the patch also sometimes clears, leaving a ring of discoloured skin that can be mistaken for ringworm.

You may just have 1 patch of discoid eczema, but most people get several patches. The skin between the patches is often dry.

Patches of discoid eczema can sometimes become infected. Signs of an infection can include:

• the patches oozing a lot of fluid
• a yellow crust developing over the patches
• the skin around the patches becoming hot, swollen and tender or painful
• feeling sick
• feeling hot or shivery
• feeling unwell

How Is Ringworm Treated?

Are Nummular Eczema and Ringworm Contagious?

Ringworm is a contagious skin infection caused by fungi. People are contagious until it goes away, or about 48 hours after treatment begins. Nummular eczema is not contagious.

Home Remedies

The fungus that causes ringworm can live on surfaces, so it is important to avoid touching public spaces with your bare skin. For example, if you choose to shower in your gym locker room, wear flip-flops to avoid touching the shower stall.

Wash your hands frequently, especially after petting animals. Never share personal items like combs or towels. Because ringworm thrives in hot, moist environments, change your socks and underwear daily, and always change out of sweaty or damp clothing right away.

Medication

Common forms of ringworm like athlete’s foot and jock itch can often be treated at home with over-the-counter medication. Antifungal creams, lotions, and powders are meant to be used for about two to four weeks. If you have not noticed any improvement after that time, see your primary care physician.

Common topical antifungal treatments that can be purchased without a prescription include:

• Clotrimazole
• Miconazole
• Terbinafine
• Ketoconazole
  

If your condition doesn't respond to treatment, see a doctor for a prescription. One form of ringworm that will not respond to OTC topical treatments is scalp ringworm. This type requires a prescription oral antifungal from a physician. These medications often need to be taken for one to three months.

Common prescription antifungal medications include:

• Griseofulvin
• Terbinafine
• Itraconazole
• Fluconazole
  

Get a Diagnosis Before Trying Topical Corticosteroids at Home

While topical corticosteroids are effective at treating eczema, they can actually make ringworm worse. Steroids may improve the itching and swelling, but they cannot kill the fungal infection. This may lead to the infection spreading and weakening your skin’s defenses.

Treating discoid eczema

Discoid eczema is usually a long-term problem, but medicines are available to help relieve the symptoms and keep the condition under control.

• emollients – moisturisers applied to the skin to stop it becoming dry
• topical corticosteroids – ointments and creams containing a steroid that are applied to the skin and may relieve severe symptoms
• antihistamines – medicines that can reduce itching

There are also things you can do yourself to help, such as avoiding all the irritating chemicals in soaps, detergents, bubble baths and shower gels.

Additional medicine can be prescribed if your eczema is infected or particularly severe.

Occasionally, areas of skin affected by discoid eczema can be left permanently discoloured after the condition has cleared up.

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