Ringworm and its Homoeopathic Management

 Dr Vikas Kumar Verma 

Ringworm is an important public health problem worldwide. It is prevalent globally but is more common in geographical areas with higher humidity.  Hot and humid climate of India makes Ringworm a very common superficial fungal infection of skin, nail and hair. Besides the climatic conditions favourable for the growth of dermatophytes, other factors such as unhygienic life style of the community and low socio-economic background also contribute to the development of this fungal infection in our country. Ringworm is also known as “Tinea” or “Dermatophytosis”. In Hindi, it is known as “Daad”.

Homoeopathy has insightful and deep understanding towards the treatment of skin diseases. Homeopathy strongly believes in understanding the holistic causative factors while handling skin diseases, whereby the study of skin, mind, constitution, miasmatic background and genetic influences are put together to determine the line of treatment. Homoeopathy is strictly against the use of local applications in the treatment of these diseases.

Ringworm being a true chronic disease, miasmatic factors are responsible for it and selected medicine must have similar miasmatic semblance. At the same time, it is equally necessary to give importance on accessory circumstances whether these things have tended to increase the malady or not and if present it necessary to remove or modify them.

OVERVIEW OF RINGWORM: 

Ringworm is superficial skin infection which is restricted to the stratum corneum.  It affects the keratin of skin, hair, and nails but do not penetrate deeper tissues or internal organs. The three genera responsible for all dermatophyte infections are Trichophyton, Epidermophyton and Microsporum. All three affect skin. Trichophyton affects skin, hairs, and nails. Epidermophyton affects skin and nails. Microsporon affects skin and hair. The most common of these organisms are Trichophyton-Rubrum, Trichophyton-Mentagrophytes and Epidermophyton-Floccosum.¹

Epidemiologically, dermatophytes may be divided in three groups depending upon their reservoir and transmission as follows:

A. Anthropophilic– These are peculiar to man. E.g. T. Rubrum.

B. Zoophilic- Such dermatophytes are acquired from infected animals. E.g. T. Verrucosum from cattle,           T. Equinum from horse, M. Cannis from dogs and cats.  Lesions caused by Zoophilic organisms may be highly inflammatory and pustular than those of human origin.

C. Geophilic- Such dermatophytes are acquired from soil. E.g. M. Gypseum.²

CONCLUSION: Homoeopathic system of medicine is very efficacious in treatment of Ringworm and permanent cure is ensue especially when medicine is prescribed with emphasis and consideration of underlying miasmatic background of patient along with proper modification of present accessory circumstances.

REFERENCES:

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