Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hello

i am a sophmore and i wrestle. As a wrestler i have had the fungus ringworm. we are told to cover the ringworm with a band-aid and continue to practice. i want to study if ringworm can penatrate through a band-aid. i need some help on the details of the procedures.

1-can i buy ringworm? if not what is another fungus like ringworm that i can buy?

2-what are the safty biohazard levels of ringworm and what precautions would i have to take?

3-what medium would i grow the ringworm on?

4-what would i be looking for to detect ringworm on/around the band-aid? what would i count?

5-should i use a hot plate under the medium to simulate body temperature?

Thank you all

Hi siggy,

Rather than answer your individual questions, here are some net resources that can help.

To start provide “ringworm” to answers.com, (http://www.answers.com/ringworm).

Wrestling is specifically mentioned:
Participants in contact sports such as wrestling have a risk of contracting the fungal infection through skin-to-skin contact.
Wrestlers should regularly inspect the skin before practice, use protective bandages over infections while practicing or avoid competition until 1 week after symptoms resolve, and thoroughly disinfect gym pads and equipment.

Other resources, in the box More about Ringworm, there’s:
- treatment
- prevention

http://www.revolutionhealth.com/conditi ... d/ringworm
gives a good overview (even though it’s listed as a sponsored link).

Hello Siggy, the CDC recommend using a BSL2 (biosafety level) facility for culture and examination of fungus, http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/guidance/f/app5.htm most if not all high school labs are only at BSL1, http://www.nsela.org/publications/safes ... cle18.html which means you will not be able to perform this experiment at your school or at home. You should contact local universities and hospitals for assistant with this experiment, if you decide to work with ringworm for your project.

Michael