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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Can Chronic Ringworm Infection On The Hands Be Treated?

I ve had this for so long it started as a small red itchy patch on my finger I didn t know what it was so i hoped it would go away and ignored it for a month. It didn t get better so I did some investigating and it sounded like ringworm. When I looked up close it was the small itchy blisters. I started trying to take the recommended Otc creams listed online but never had ringworm before so didn t takeout too seriously since the patch was small. Creams didn t show improvement so I started trying the home remedies listed online. Since it had lasted for months by then I was taking it more seriously trying many things listed online. Nailpolish bleach tea tree oil rubbing alcohol. The tea tree oil worked well at first but smelled and everywhere I went people asked what s that smell and I didn t want to bring attention to myself. I tried Clorox wipes around my finger and it seemed to kill it but it cracked the skin open in my other fingers and the infected finger swelled up so I gave up and went to urgent care because I have never had skin problems before and was hoping there would be a quick fix. The lady was nice and prescribed me a clomiterazole cream and terbinafine pills . I took both and after a few weeks everything was cleared up and I was so relived. Well 5 months later I was walking in the park and noticed a small patch of itchy bumps again.. I was so devastated to see it had come back. It was very small so I rushed to Walgreens and bought Otc clomiterazole cream and lathered it over the area. To my surprise it actually worked! I thought thank God that was easy! A month later I saw it came back again and I thought it should ve been no big deal since it went away last time. Well the cream didn t work this time so I went back to the doctor and she gave me the terbinafine pills again. They seemed to be working but after 2 weeks the medication stopped working and it spread more on the finger. I went back to her in a panic and she said we could try some griseofulvin because maybe it had built some resistance. I took griseofulvin and was excited to see the ringworm clear up. Well after 2 weeks it stopped clearing up and started spreading again and fast I continued taking the medication but it didn t help anymore. I m so scared it has built resistance and is untreatable! I have been crying it s spreading so fast I can see the little spores all over my hand I m a nervous wreck I ve been trying everything all otc creams and athletes foot spray I need something stronger but I m scared there s nothing out there! I have been all over the web I found something about blue star ointment and have most recently tried that and it feels like it s doing something my finger burns like crazy so I thought it for sure was killing it but it s gotten so bad like almost all the skin on my hand is peeling off red and raw. I didn t mind because I thought at least the ringworm is dying but the closer I look I can still see those little spore dots in the palms of my hands I just feel like no matter how much I do it is just spreading too quick and I ve made my hand so raw I m just so scared I hope you can help me! Please Jesus I need a miracle!
posted on Wed, 8 Feb 2017
Twitter Tue, 17 Jul 2018 Answered on
Twitter Fri, 20 Jul 2018 Last reviewed on
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Dermatologist 's  Response
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.

Fungal infections are very notorious to creep back into the skin. For complete care: at least 6-8 weeks of topical and oral anti- fungal medications is a must (with intermittent doctor’s examinations). Also use a body soap which is anti-fungal and hypoallergic.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
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How Can Chronic Ringworm Infection On The Hands Be Treated?

Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. Fungal infections are very notorious to creep back into the skin. For complete care: at least 6-8 weeks of topical and oral anti- fungal medications is a must (with intermittent doctor’s examinations). Also use a body soap which is anti-fungal and hypoallergic. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.