DEAR DR. GOTT:
I have had ringworm on my leg, arm and back for about a year. My family doctor scraped the one on my back and sent it to a lab where ringworm was confirmed. He gave me a prescription for two pills. I took one and had to wait one or two weeks when I took the second. It seemed to help, but didn’t completely clear all the lesions. They get itchy when I am warm or stressed and I am tired of this. I’m 47, in good health, weigh about 140 pounds and take herbs but no medication.
I do have cats and one dog. I’ve tried several things at home and even bought something at the drug store for athlete’s foot. Please give me some advice.
DEAR READER:
This contagious fungal infection is difficult to prevent. It can be contracted through skin-to-skin contact of an infected person or pet or contact with an object or surface either has touched.
Eradication is often achieved through the use of topical antifungal creams applied directed to affected areas or with oral fungus-killing medications.
I recommend you take your pets to a veterinarian to be checked and treated if they are the culprits. Then return to your physician for appropriate medication. In the meantime, you wish to try Vicks VapoRub (or the store-brand equivalent). It has proven its antifungal properties with toenail fungus, athlete’s foot and jock itch. I recommend you give it a try while waiting for the results to come back from your veterinarian.
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