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It's a fungal infection characterized by red and scaly ring-shaped patches with a clear center. Occurring mainly on the upper body, genital area, hands or feet, the condition can be very uncomfortable due to the extreme itch. When the same fungal infection appears on the feet, it's called athlete's foot.
If your nails get infected, they can change color and become thick and/or brittle. Luckily, ringworm is relatively easy to treat - your doctor will likely prescribe an antifungal cream or ointment. Nails are more resistant to treatment and may require more extensive therapies. If you have a suppressed immune system, are frequently exposed to warm, moist conditions or have a child who has a fungal skin infection, you're more likely to get ringworm.
Prevent nail infections ...
How can you reduce the chances of developing a nail infection? Fungal infections usually start on the skin before spreading into the nail. You can minimize exposure by wearing flip flops if you're showering in public places, try donning socks that contain some acrylic to wick away moisture and don't apply moisturizing lotion between your toes.
Bear in mind that damp and warm conditions encourage fungal growth.
At-home treatments are a great alternative ...
Want to pamper yourself, but are short on time? If you're like most women, scheduling a session at the spa is out of the question with your busy lifestyle. Kids or careers often come first, but you don't have to neglect yourself! If you commit to devoting a minimal amount of time each week to personal care, you can have healthy looking skin year-round.
At a fraction of the cost of a spa visit, start by selecting suitable skin care products and give yourself the same applications at home. If you think about it, ongoing daily maintenance is likely to produce more consistent results than an occasional spa treatment. Keep it basic - all you need is twice-daily cleansing, a quality moisturizer (preferably a lighter one for day and a heavier one for night), and a once weekly application of an exfoliant (removes the dead skin cells and unclogs pores).
Look for products that contain additional nourishing ingredients such as vitamins, antioxidants and botanicals.
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