Psoriasis vs. Ringworm: Similarities and Differences

Though psoriasis and ringworm change how your pores and skin appears to be like, they develop for various causes and want distinctive therapies. 

Situation Varieties

Psoriasis: Psoriasis occurs when your immune system mistakenly assaults your physique, making your pores and skin cells develop too shortly. Additional cells construct up in your pores and skin to kind thick patches or plaques. Psoriasis is not contagious and sometimes runs in households.

Ringworm: It is a fungal infection, not an actual worm. It occurs when dermatophytes, a sort of fungus, infect your pores and skin. The fungus grows greatest in heat, damp locations and feeds on keratin, a protein that makes up your pores and skin, hair, and nails. Ringworm is contagious, and you may catch it from:

• Folks (skin-to-skin contact)
• Pets
• Shared towels or linens
• Soil
• Surfaces like fitness center tools

Durations

Psoriasis: It’s continual (long-lasting). It typically comes again, requiring long-term care.

Ringworm: It’s often momentary and goes away in 2-4 weeks with antifungal medication. It does not often come again except you get the fungus once more.

Therapy

Psoriasis: At residence, you may attempt Epsom salt, oatmeal, and bleach baths, in addition to over-the-counter (OTC) Cortizone-10 (hydrocortisone 1%) to soothe psoriasis symptoms. Suppliers might also suggest:

• Immune-suppressing medicines 
• Phototherapy (mild remedy)
• Steroid lotions
• Vitamin D ointment

Ringworm: For delicate instances, therapy often begins with an OTC antifungal cream, spray, or powder. Choices embrace:

• Lotrimin AF (clotrimazole)
• Nizoral (ketoconazole) 
• Micatin (miconazole)
• Tinactin (tolnaftate)
• Lamisil AT (terbinafine) 

If ringworm is widespread or does not enhance, your supplier could prescribe stronger antifungal lotions or tablets, resembling Diflucan (fluconazole), Gris-PEG (griseofulvin), Lamisil (terbinafine), or Sporanox (itraconazole).

Prevention

Psoriasis: You may’t forestall it, however you may cut back flare-ups for those who:

• Manage your stress
• Keep away from pores and skin accidents
• Comply with your therapy plan
• Use light skincare merchandise

Ringworm: Not like psoriasis, you may forestall ringworm for those who:

• Keep away from pores and skin contact with individuals or pets who’ve ringworm
• Do not share towels, clothes, or combs
• End all antifungal therapies, even when the rash appears to be like higher
• Maintain your pores and skin clear and dry
• Wash garments and bedding in scorching water to kill the fungus
• Put on unfastened, breathable garments

Psoriasis and ringworm are completely different situations. Nevertheless, they share some options that may make them simple to confuse. 

Diagnostic Exams

If the prognosis is not clear with a visible examination, your supplier could take a pores and skin scraping or biopsy. A lab can test for ringworm by wanting on the pores and skin scraping underneath a microscope and utilizing a particular resolution to spotlight fungal parts. A biopsy can reveal indicators of psoriasis.

These exams additionally assist rule out different causes and information the correct therapy.

Misdiagnosis

Psoriasis and ringworm can appear to be one another or different pores and skin issues, resembling eczema or impetigo. They’ll additionally seem on comparable physique elements, resembling your arms, legs, trunk, or scalp, and trigger nail adjustments. This could result in misdiagnosis, particularly early on.

Ringworm will be even more durable to acknowledge for those who’ve used steroid lotions, since they’ll change how the rash appears to be like.

You may have each psoriasis and ringworm on the identical time. That is extra doubtless for those who take immune-suppressing medicines for psoriasis, which make it more durable to your physique to combat infections. When you have each, your supplier will often deal with the ringworm first, as steroid lotions for psoriasis can disguise or worsen a fungal an infection.

In case your rash is not getting higher, attain out to a healthcare supplier. That is very true for those who discover the rash:

• Would not enhance with OTC therapies
• Begins to unfold
• Feels painful or tender
• Causes hair loss within the space
• Impacts your nails or joints

A major care supplier can diagnose and deal with ringworm. If the rash does not go away or worsens, chances are you’ll have to see a dermatologist, a health care provider specializing in pores and skin, hair, and nail situations. When you have joint ache, your supplier could refer you to a rheumatologist. These specialists give attention to situations that have an effect on your joints, immune system, and irritation.

Psoriasis and ringworm are pores and skin situations that may look alike and sometimes have an effect on the identical areas of the physique, making them simple to confuse. Nevertheless, they’ve completely different causes and coverings.

Psoriasis is a continual autoimmune situation, whereas ringworm is a contagious fungal an infection. When you’re uncertain what’s inflicting your signs, a healthcare supplier can assist you get the proper prognosis and therapy plan.