Eczema vs. Ringworm

Eczema vs. Ringworm: Which Is More Dangerous

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Eczema vs. Ringworm: Which Is More Dangerous

It could be difficult in specific circumstances to differentiate between eczema and ringworm. Itching, redness, and rash are common to appear in both conditions.

The reason why I am telling you this is that both have different levels of severity and need different treatment. So, which is more dangerous than the other?

Knowing the severity of the condition will help you get better treatment after diagnosis. Let’s start by introducing each disease.

Eczema

Medically known as Atopic Dermatitis, it is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that primarily affects children. However, individuals can be affected by it at any age. AD causes red, scaly patches on the skin that itch a lot.

Doctors give itch-relieving medications alongside the treatment of eczema to relieve itching. This is because the excessive urge to scratch ruins sleep and can lead to further complications if the skin gets damaged.

Usually, it lasts a few weeks or months, but it can thrive on the skin for up to years.

Causes and symptoms

There is no exact cause of eczema. It could be a result of a combination of various factors or due to an unknown cause. However, the most common causes are genetics, maternal hormones causing problems, environmental factors, and irritants.

These are some possible conditions that can contribute to eczema symptoms. Still, no one can tell you what exactly caused eczema in you or your child.

If you see these symptoms on the skin, you should understand that it is eczema:

  • Inflamed skin
  • Red patches on the skin
  • Itching
  • Blistering
  • Dry, cracked skin
  • Change in skin color (especially darker skin tone)
  • Raised rash

Ringworm

Ringworm is a fungal infection that can affect any part of the body. As its name says, it causes ring-shaped infection on the skin. The infection can lead to further complications if a person scratches a lot. The ring-shaped patches are usually 1 inch in size. The area in the middle of each patch will look normal and clean.

Causes and Symptoms

Unlike eczema, the cause of ringworm is clear. A mold-like fungus causes ringworm in individuals. The parasite lives on the outer layer of skin with dead cells. There is no type of worm included here (because the name ringworm may spark the concept of worm).

A doctor can easily diagnose it by identifying its symptoms. However, here are the most common symptoms of ringworm that an individual can use to diagnose this condition:

  • Ring-shaped rash
  • Clean skin between the rash
  • Itching
  • Redness
  • Pain
  • Blistering
  • Slightly raised rash
  • Expanding rings

The symptoms start with small bumps, but the rash extends and forms large ring-shaped patches with time. The symptoms can appear on any part of the body, but arms, legs, nails, and scalp are more vulnerable.

Which is more harmful?

Now, let’s compare the severity of both conditions to determine which is more dangerous and can cause more harm if left untreated.

Eczema is a long-lasting condition that can have a severe impact on an individual’s physical and emotional life. It can worsen if not treated early. Even moderate symptoms need to be cured. However, symptoms cannot be fully treated. They can be managed and kept safe from irritants to avoid flare-ups. Also, there is no exact known cause. That’s why treatment becomes more complicated.

On the contrary, ringworm lasts a few days to months, and moderate symptoms fade out without treatment (still take preventive measures). For severe symptoms, some antifungal products along with precautionary measures are enough for its treatment. So, in terms of severity, eczema is more dangerous. However, it cannot spread from person to person while ringworm can.

Still, eczema is more dangerous and needs more care.

Some preventive measures that apply to both

Prevention is sometimes more effective than treatment. Here are some general preventive measures that will work for both.

  • Do not expose your skin to heat and direct sunlight.
  • Do not take excessive or long baths. Use tepid water and keep bath timing short.
  • Use a medicated moisturizing cream after washing to avoid dryness.
  • Never ever use harsh products and chemicals.
  • Trust medicated products for the treatment and regular skincare routine.

Conclusions

Depending on the severity of a particular condition, it can be determined which condition is more harmful. In general, eczema is a far more serious condition than ringworm. The main reason is an unknown cause, and that’s why it cannot be fully cured.

In the context of spreading, ringworm is contagious and can spread from person to person. The fungus can live on humans, animals, and objects.

I hope this comparison helped you a lot.