The Conservative Cave

The Bar => Sports => Topic started by: unbiased on July 16, 2011, 11:06:56 PM

Title: Kayak warning
Post by: unbiased on July 16, 2011, 11:06:56 PM
I don't know if any of you all kayak or canoe, but we do almost every weekend until it snows. I have wrestled or participated in grappling type sports all of my life and never got ringworm. I have gotten it for the second time in the last month while kayaking. I guess dirty water is the same as a dirty mat or wrestling partner. It is pretty easy to get rid of. I just rub ointment on it for a few days and it goes away. But, it is contagious if you touch someone or apparently get back in the water with it.

It doesn't hurt, just makes you look like a jackass who doesn't wash. I posting this for those who do kayak or canoe. Check yourself when you get out of the water, just like checking for ticks after a hike. I'd hate for someone to pass it on to a spouse by.....well, you know....without knowing you even had it.

Looks like a red "tree ring". I've had it on my ankle and just today got it on my knee.
Title: Re: Kayak warning
Post by: catsmtrods on July 17, 2011, 05:03:48 AM
??  Don't swim in dirty water?
Title: Re: Kayak warning
Post by: catsmtrods on July 17, 2011, 05:07:40 AM
Theres a fungus among us!
Title: Re: Kayak warning
Post by: MrsSmith on July 17, 2011, 07:01:12 AM
I've picked up ringworm from infected animals a couple times, but never anywhere else.  Maybe it's on the kayak, not in the water...

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/how-do-you-get-ringworm.html

Title: Re: Kayak warning
Post by: unbiased on July 17, 2011, 01:10:13 PM
??  Don't swim in dirty water?

Lol! Wish I knew of a clean river to kayak in. Unfortunately with the thousands of others that also get in the water, it is difficult to keep a fungus out. I don't know why it is happening this year as opposed to other years, though. I looked on several different medical websites and it doesnt seem to be because of any open sores or cuts that allow it in. They said it's like athletes foot. I guess it's just a different type of fungus.
Title: Re: Kayak warning
Post by: unbiased on July 17, 2011, 01:11:30 PM
I've picked up ringworm from infected animals a couple times, but never anywhere else.  Maybe it's on the kayak, not in the water...

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/how-do-you-get-ringworm.html



Funny you say that. I just got done washing my kayak with Mr. Clean to try and kill anything that may be on it. Thanks for the idea, though.
Title: Re: Kayak warning
Post by: BattleHymn on July 17, 2011, 01:24:50 PM
I kayak occasionally.  I've never picked anything up, though.  We used to be the resident dumping area for stray cats, and got pretty good at clearing up ringworm.  Diluted bleach always did the trick.  You might want to try to scrub your kayak with a solution of that. 
Title: Re: Kayak warning
Post by: unbiased on July 17, 2011, 01:57:01 PM
I kayak occasionally.  I've never picked anything up, though.  We used to be the resident dumping area for stray cats, and got pretty good at clearing up ringworm.  Diluted bleach always did the trick.  You might want to try to scrub your kayak with a solution of that. 

Thanks. At this point I will try anything. I also read that you should use antibacterial soap afterwards. My wife is buying some as we speak. Like I said, it doesn't hurt but if anyone was to look at the inside of my knee they would think I've never bathed. And I would hate to give it to someone else because I'm not sure how long after using the ointment that it is contagious.
Title: Re: Kayak warning
Post by: BattleHymn on July 17, 2011, 02:05:28 PM
Thanks. At this point I will try anything. I also read that you should use antibacterial soap afterwards. My wife is buying some as we speak. Like I said, it doesn't hurt but if anyone was to look at the inside of my knee they would think I've never bathed. And I would hate to give it to someone else because I'm not sure how long after using the ointment that it is contagious.

Cut the bleach 50/50 with water, and apply it directly to the area, and a to the surrounding area that has the ringworm.  That seems to work faster than any ointment we've ever used.  Usually in two days or so it is completely cleared up. 

If you have a blacklight, you can use that to shine around on your person, and make sure that is the only spot you have right now.  Also, anywhere you've been, or might have brushed up against with your knee, you can check with the blacklight, too.  It will glow if ringworm is present.  Swab it with the bleach/water solution. 
Title: Re: Kayak warning
Post by: BattleHymn on July 17, 2011, 02:06:59 PM
Also, if you use the blacklight method for checking for ringworm areas, make sure it is a real blacklight, not one of those party lights you can buy at Walmart or a party supply store.
Title: Re: Kayak warning
Post by: unbiased on July 17, 2011, 02:39:42 PM
Cut the bleach 50/50 with water, and apply it directly to the area, and a to the surrounding area that has the ringworm.  That seems to work faster than any ointment we've ever used.  Usually in two days or so it is completely cleared up. 

If you have a blacklight, you can use that to shine around on your person, and make sure that is the only spot you have right now.  Also, anywhere you've been, or might have brushed up against with your knee, you can check with the blacklight, too.  It will glow if ringworm is present.  Swab it with the bleach/water solution. 

Thanks again. I don't have a blacklight, but I do have my knee covered so I don't rub against anything. I will go with the bleach solution that you recommend later tonight. I just put the ointment on before church this morning so instead of using it again tonight, I will go with bleach.
Title: Re: Kayak warning
Post by: Eupher on July 18, 2011, 04:48:56 PM
I remember contracting ringworm as a kid, but I don't know how. Used PhisoHex to get rid of it. Seemed to work then pretty well.