Ringworm And Pregnancy
Is Ringworm And Pregnancy A Dangerous Combination?
It would appear that ringworm and pregnancy can coexist without one condition much affecting the other. Since ringworm is a fungal infection that feeds on keratin, found in our nails, hair, and skin, it would not be expected to come into contact with a fetus under normal circumstance. It is an infection that can spread however, and conceivably be transmitted to a baby during delivery and birth. Even though the chances of a newborn baby contracting a ringworm infection may seem slight, it is possible, and if the mother is in a situation where she is experiencing both ringworm and pregnancy, she certainly should have the ringworm treated, not only for her own benefit and comfort, but to protect the baby as well.
Not A Real Worm - Ringworm is a fairly common condition, with roughly a fifth of the general population experiencing it from time to time. It is an infectious and contagious disease that seems to come and go. While not considered curable, it is treatable. Many who have it will never experience it more than once, while with others it may be a chronic condition. Having a ringworm infection is nothing like having a tapeworm or any other worm. The name comes from the small ringlike bumps that may appear on the skin. More commonly one suffers from an itchy, scaly rash. Ringworm can appear on any part of the body, but will most commonly appear in dark, moist areas. Most people affected by this fungus experience it as athlete's foot or jock itch, and it is usually treated by medicated creams or powders.
Not Passed Through The Bloodstream - As far as ringworm and pregnancy is concerned, the mother-to-be is unlikely to pass the fungus on to the fetus, certainly not through the bloodstream. If there is anything to be concerned about, it would have to do with whatever medications are being used to fight the infection. In all likelihood, most medications would probably not affect the fetus, but one can never be 100% certain of that. When ringworm requires treatment during pregnancy, any medication used should only be used on a doctor's advice. This even applies to home remedies or herbal cures, since the effect these cures may have on the fetus are often unknown. As one example, while tree tea is known to be effective in the treatment of ringworm, it is not considered safe to use when pregnant.
Use Of Medications - One example is a common medication used to treat a ringworm infection. The Food And Drug Administration's position on this particular medication was, that while it has not known to have caused any problems, it has not been proven not to. This most likely applies to most medications. They are safe, probably. That is why a doctor should be consulted when using any medication for ringworm while pregnant. Most of the time, a doctor is apt to prescribe a cream or lotion to be applied topically, one that is not know to cause any problems to mother or child. Nystatin and triamcinolone are two prescription medications commonly used, which appear to be safe for mother and child. As far as over the counter medications are concerned, creams or lotions containing clotrimazole are considered to be quite safe. Still it's a good idea to consult with one's physician, or as a minimum, carefully read the labels before using any medication when pregnant. The pregnant woman can also help herself by following good rules of hygiene which will help the condition to clear up more quickly, hopefully never to return.
Fortunately, ringworm, for all the problems it may cause, is one of those conditions which, while a cause of discomfort and perhaps some concern to the woman, generally will not affect the unborn baby.