RINGWORM

    A round, reddened, often bulls-eye appearing rash anywhere on the skin is evidence of ringworm. Dermatophytes fungi cause the superficial infection (those that invade only dead tissue of the skin, nails, or hair). At least three different strains of fungi can cause ringworm. Household pets such as cats and dogs carry these fungi on their fur and skin. Some cases produce only mild inflammation and often go unnoticed and untreated, then gradually reappear in hot weather. Other types cause a sudden outbreak of a violent-looking rash with vesicles and swelling of the tissue due to a strong immunological reaction of the body against the fungi.

    Severe itching, especially in the groin area, provokes scratching, which tends to spread the infection by the fingernails or causes skin damage and produces a secondary infection from bacteria. (See the section on Jock Itch in this book.) Since differentiation of these types of fungi is difficult, these infections are approached according to the sites involved. Your health care provider can make a diagnosis after he/she scrapes a sample of skin and either examines it under a microscope or sends it to the lab for culture.

* As in most infections, prevention is the best thing to stop the spread of the infection. Family members must take precautions to not pick up the infection from other family members. Always wear shower sandals when in public showers such as athletic locker rooms or in swimming pools where the fungi grow readily and cross with other strains. Bathing is advised over showering. Always put 1 oz of Sol-U-Mel, along with Renew Bath Oil, in the tub. Use a clean washcloth with Antibacterial Liquid Soap or The Gold Bar.
    Cracking or oozing skin should receive a generous amount of Renew Intensive Skin Therapy. Apply Dermatin, T36-C5, MelaGel, or Triple Antibiotic Ointment on any suspicious areas of the skin immediately after showering or bathing. Direct sunlight and thoroughly air drying the body after showering or swimming is a great preventive act also.
 Take the Vitality Pack with Oligofructose Complex, CellWise, ProVex and/or ProVex-Plus as directed to optimize trace nutrients. Drink 2 to 3 cups of Melaleuca Herbal Tea daily.