Ring Worm

Dear Ask The Doctor: I HAD WHAT STARTED AS A MOSQUITO BITE SO I THINK. OF COURSE I SCRACHETED AND IT GOT UGLY AND THE A COULPE A WEEKS WENT BUY AND IT TURNED OUT TO BE A RING WORM. I’VE HAD IT FOR ABOUT 4 OR MORE MONTHS I WAS USING A ANTI FUNG CREAM AND THEN LAMISIL BUT DID NOT WORK. LAMISIL MADE IT GO AWAY BUT CAME BACK AFTER A COUPLE A WEEKS. I HAVE TWO RING WORMS KNOW ONE ON EACH LEG. THEY HAVE GOTTEN BIGGER. THE ONE ON MY LEFT LEG IS ABOUT 3 QUARTERS PUT TOGETHER AND THE OTHER ONE IS ABOUT THE SAME SIZE. WHAT CAN I DO TO MAKE THEM GO AWAY. I NOTICED THAT I RECENTLY GOT ONE ON MY RIGHT ELBOW. PLEASE HELP SUMMER IS COMING UP I HATE WEARING CAPRIS KNOW OR EVEN SHOWING MY LEGS AT MY OWN HOME. THANK U, MS. DEE

Dear DALIA: Hello, I realize your worry about persistent ringworm. This is a fungal infection of the skin that causes   itchy, red, raised, scaly patches that may blister and ooze which often have sharply defined edges. They are often redder around the outside with normal skin tone in the center. This may create the appearance of a ring.

Ringworm usually responds well to self care within 4 weeks without having to see a doctor by following these recommendations:  keep your skin clean and dry, apply over the counter antifungal or drying powders, lotions, or creams containing miconazole, clotrimazole and wash sheets and nightclothes every day while infected since this could cause the skin to re infect again and again.

If you followed those recommendations and the ringworm is still present, I suggest you to consult your primary care physician since you might need to take oral antifungal pills for persistent ringworm. I wish you a prompt recovery.