Ringworm needs to be treated

DEAR DR. GOTT: I have several spots on my arms and legs that look like ringworms but I don’t have a clue where I got them. I have been putting Lamisil, athlete’s products on them. They don’t itch but are just round, red, scaly patches. How long do I keep applying the Lamisil? Is there anything else I can try? How long does it take to get rid of them? My doctor wrote a prescription but it was $147 and I can’t afford that. I am 60 years old and on a fixed income. I have a small dog but how do I know if I got them from her? She doesn’t scratch and appears to be in perfect health. I have a new grand baby and am afraid to touch her. Any advice would be very much appreciated. Thank you.

DEAR READER: As I am sure you are aware, ringworm is not caused by “worms”, but is rather a fungal infection of the skin. [Read more...]

Lysol for fungus

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am looking for plain Lysol. I can’t find it anywhere. My mother used it to control fungus, ringworm and other contagious skin outbreaks. Where is it available?

DEAR READER: Lysol sells and distributes disinfectant sprays, wipes, no-touch hand soap, all-purpose cleaners, mildew remover, kitchen, bath and toilet-bowl cleaners, but nowhere did I find plain Lysol. Upon calling the company, they indicated they discontinued the original “scent” in January 2010. They have a 12-ounce concentrate, but it is not intended for use on the body; nor is any of their other products. So I guess you will have to improvise. Sorry!

Treating Ringworm

DEAR DR. GOTT:
My young son has two areas of ringworm on his arm. Since we’ve never had experience with this before, I would like some direction as to how I can best treat it.

DEAR READER:
Ringworm (tinea) is an infection of the skin caused by a fungus, not by a worm as the name implies. There are several forms that present with itchy, red, scaly patches that can blister and ooze. Areas commonly affected are arms, legs, nails, the scalp, groin, and feet. Those that occur around the groin area are commonly known as jock itch; those of the feet are commonly known as athlete’s foot. Bacteria and fungi live on the body. While some are useful, others are not; those that aren’t have the ability to multiply rapidly and form infections. [Read more...]

Daily Column

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I have another home remedy for you to add to your list.

I had an experience more than 60 years ago with ringworm. I suffered for months and months with it. I had seen several dermatologists and tried several medications but nothing seemed to work. It continued to itch and grow.

An acquaintance then told me of an old remedy she knew of after seeing the growing rash on my arm. She told me to apply sap from the brittle stem of a common nasturtium flower. Simply break the stem and dab the “goo” onto the entire affected area.

It burned like the dickens but I stuck with it. After a few applications and less than a week, the whole thing dried up perfectly. No more itching! It was wonderful. [Read more...]

Daily Column

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. [Read more...]