A young man spots a black spot on his arm and gets the scare of his life when he searches the Internet

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If you ever experience a health problem, the worst thing you can do is go to Google, as it often gets its diagnoses wrong, often scaring the patient unnecessarily.

This almost happened to a student who took to Reddit for answers about a rash that appeared on his skin. Most of them told him it was ringworm, something that was later confirmed by a real doctor.

Dr. Sabina Hanoman-Singh gave an interview to Newsweek explaining what this disease is and how serious it can be. The first thing she said is that it comes from an infection caused by dermatophyte fungi, pointing out how it is transmitted and what happens if it is not treated.

How is ringworm spread and what happens if it is not treated?

“The infection spreads through direct contact between people, but it can also be transmitted through fomites (shared objects), as the fungus releases microscopic spores that can survive on surfaces. Shared objects such as towels, bedding, clothing, hairbrushes and gym equipment can facilitate its spread,” he said.

“Have you been in any situations where you might have gotten ringworm, like at a gym, or have you acquired a new pet?”, one Reddit user asked the boy.

“I actually adopted a kitten last month… I’m going to see my doctor and use an antifungal cream. And I’ll take my kitten to the vet to be tested. But the adoption papers and the check-up said she didn’t have anything, so I’m not sure,” he explained then.

Pets can transmit the disease: “It is a form of zoonotic transmission. Domestic pets, such as cats and dogs, can carry the fungus, as can farm animals, such as cattle. Regular veterinary care and good hygiene practices are essential to prevent the spread from pets to humans,” said Hanoman-Singh.

“Untreated ringworm can spread to other parts of the body and to other people. The infection usually causes red, ring-shaped, itchy, scaly rashes, and persistent cases can lead to skin damage, discomfort and secondary bacterial infections. In immunocompromised individuals, the infection can spread and worsen, requiring immediate medical attention,” he said.

This news was originally published on this post .

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