Can skin fungus heal on its own?
Disease description:
Recently, my parents have developed rashes on their skin, with symptoms including red patches, peeling skin, and significant itching. They think it's not a serious condition and don't want to go to the hospital, hoping it will resolve on its own. However, I'm somewhat concerned and would like to ask doctors: can skin rashes heal spontaneously?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Wenmin
In general, ringworm is usually difficult to resolve on its own.
Ringworm refers to a group of skin diseases caused by infections with dermatophytes, including tinea corporis, tinea cruris, tinea manuum, tinea pedis, and others. Although in rare cases, if the patient's immune system is strong, the symptoms of ringworm are mild, and the infected area is small, the condition may gradually improve as skin naturally renews itself, provided the skin is kept clean and dry and scratching is avoided, such cases are uncommon.
In most cases, dermatophytes are highly persistent and can parasitize, reproduce on the skin surface, hair, or fingernails/toenails, and invade skin tissue. Without treatment, ringworm often progresses continuously, with the infected area expanding and symptoms worsening over time. For example, tinea pedis (athlete's foot), if not treated promptly, may progress from mild scaling and itching to blistering and erosion, and may even develop secondary bacterial infections.
Guidance and Recommendations
Once ringworm is detected, prompt medical attention should be sought, and standardized antifungal treatment should be received. During treatment, it is important to keep the skin clean and dry, change clothing and bedding frequently, avoid scratching, and prevent the spread of infection. Diet should be light, avoiding spicy, greasy, and irritating foods.
