Ringworm. Just reading the word can make your skin tingle. The fact is
that ringworm doesn't have anything to do with worms. Rather, it's a contagious
infection related to jock itch, athlete's foot, and other fungal infections.
The medical name for this group of diseases, which are caused by several types
of mold-like fungi, is tinea.
Fungi aren't all bad. Normally, your body is host to numerous bacteria and
fungi. Some are helpful; some are harmless; but some can multiply rapidly and
cause infections. Such is the case with ringworm. The type of fungi determines
where ringworm manifests itself, and the medical name it's assigned:
| Ringworm of the... |
Medical name |
Common name |
| Scalp |
tinea capitis |
fungal infection of the scalp, or skin around eyebrows or eyelashes |
| Body/Skin |
tinea corporis |
fungal infection of skin |
| Nails (finger/toe) |
tinea unguium |
nail fungal infection,
onychomycosis |
| Foot |
tinea pides |
fungal infection of foot, athlete's foot |
| Groin |
tinea cruris |
fungal infection in the groin, jock itch |
Why the Name?
Ringworm got its name from the characteristic red ring that can appear on an
infected person's skin. But, not everyone with a ringworm infection gets the
red ring typical of its name. Its appearance varies depending on the type of
fungi. Ringworm of the scalp usually begins as a small pimple that becomes
larger, leaving scaly patches. Your hairs become brittle, break easily, and
might fall out. The baldness will be temporary.
Ringworm of the body or skin starts as a flat, round, red patch. Over time
it often begins to look like a red ring with a clear center - but not on
everyone. The reddened skin can be itchy, and may blister and ooze. Ringworm of
the nails causes the nails to thicken and become brittle or chalky, and/or
discolored. Sometimes the nails just disintegrate.
The most common types of ringworm are
athlete's foot and jock itch.
Is it Preventable?
Ringworm is highly contagious, spread by either direct or indirect contact,
and difficult to prevent. The fungi that cause it live in humans, animals, and
the soil worldwide. Anyone can get ringworm - young, old, rich, poor, athletes,
pet owners, gardeners, and more. Because the fungi are virtually everywhere,
including your skin, even a minor scratch can lead to a ringworm infection.
To mimimize your risk of ringworm:
- Do not share personal items, including hats, clothing, combs, brushes,
sheets, and stuffed animals.
- Disinfect exercise or sleeping mats.
- Wear shoes, rubber slippers, or flip-flops when in public showers, locker
rooms, and pool areas.
- Keep your skin - including your feet - clean and dry.
- Shampoo regularly, especially after haircuts.
- Wash and disinfect even minor cuts and scratches, especially if you've been
outside or playing with an animal.
- Wash your hands after petting animals. You can get ringworm just by
touching the skin or fur of an infected animal. Cats, especially kittens, hold
the fungal spores in their fur. But so do cows, dogs, goats, guinea pigs,
ferrets, horses, pigs, rabbits, and other animals.
- Avoid touching pets with bald spots. However, some animals can have the
disease without exhibiting symptoms.
- Bathe animals and their bedding regularly. The disease-causing fungi grow
in dirt as well as moist skin.
- Make sure the person or animal that was the source of the infection gets
treated.
- Regularly disinfect commonly shared items.
Treatment
When you first notice ringworm, try these self-care steps:
- Keep your skin clean and dry.
- Apply over-the-counter antifungal powder, lotions, or cream. Read the label
for the words "miconazole," "clotrimazole," or similar
ingredients.
- Wash towels, sheets, pajamas, combs, and other personal items daily while
infected.
- Minimize physical contact with people or animals until you are
ringworm-free.
See your health care provider if the infection doesn't clear up within four
weeks or you suspect a bacterial infection (pain, swelling, fever, et cetera).
You might need prescription antifungal medication - either topical or oral -
and possibly even antibiotics.
If you suspect your pet has ringworm, make an appointment with a
veterinarian right away.
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