RINGWORM
Ringworm is a contagious fungus infection that can affect the scalp, the body, the feet (athlete’s foot), or the nails.
- People can get Ringworm from: 1) direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person or pet, 2) indirect contact with an object or surface that an infected person or pet has touched, or 3) rarely, by contact with soil.
- Ringworm can be treated with fungus-killing medicine.
- To prevent Ringworm, 1) make sure all infected persons and pets get appropriate treatment, 2) avoid contact with infected persons and pets, 3) do not share personal items, and 4) keep common-use areas clean
Ringworm is a contagious fungus infection that can affect the scalp, the body (particularly the groin), the feet, and the nails. Despite its name, it has nothing to do with worms. The name comes from the characteristic red ring that can appear on an infected person’s skin. Ringworm is also called Tinea.
What is the infectious agent that causes Ringworm?
Ringworm is caused by several different fungus organisms that all belong to a group called “Dermatophytes.” Different Dermatophytes affect different parts of the body and cause the various types of Ringworm:
- Ringworm of the scalp
- Ringworm of the body
- Ringworm of the foot (athlete’s foot)
- Ringworm of the nails
Where is Ringworm found?
Ringworm is widespread around the world and in the United States. The fungus that causes scalp Ringworm lives in humans and animals. The fungus that causes Ringworm of the body lives in humans, animals, and soil. The fungi that cause Ringworm of the foot and Ringworm of the nails live only in humans.
How do people get Ringworm?
Ringworm is spread by either direct or indirect contact. People can get Ringworm by direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person or pet. People can also get Ringworm indirectly by contact with objects or surfaces that an infected person or pet has touched, such as hats, combs, brushes, bed linens, stuffed animals, telephones, gym mats, and shower stalls. In rare cases Ringworm can be spread by contact with soil.
What are the signs and symptoms of Ringworm?
Ringworm of the scalp usually begins as a small pimple that becomes larger, leaving scaly patches of temporary baldness. Infected hairs become brittle and break off easily. Yellowish crusty areas sometimes develop.
Ringworm of the body shows up as a flat,round patch anywhere on the skin except for the scalp and feet. The groin is a common area of infection (groin Ringworm). As the rash gradually expands, its center clears to produce a ring. More than one patch might appear, and the patches can overlap. The area is sometimes itchy.
Ringworm of the foot is also called athlete’s foot. It appears as a scaling or cracking of the skin, especially between the toes.
Ringworm of the nails causes the affected nails to become thicker, discolored, and brittle, or to become chalky and disintegrate.
How soon after exposure do symptoms appear?
Scalp Ringworm usually appears 10 to 14 days after contact, and Ringworm of the skin 4 to 10 days after contact. The time between exposure and symptoms isnot known for the other types of Ringworm.
How is Ringworm diagnosed?
A health-care provider can diagnose Ringworm by examining the site of infection with special tests.
Who is at risk for Ringworm?
Anyone can get Ringworm. Scalp Ringworm often strikes young children; outbreaks have been recognized in schools, day-care centers, and infant nurseries. School athletes are at risk for scalp Ringworm, Ringworm of the body, and foot Ringworm; there have been outbreaks among high school wrestling teams. Children with young pets are at increased risk for Ringworm of the body.
What is the treatment for Ringworm?
Ringwormcan be treated with fungus-killing medicine. The medicine can be in taken in tablet or liquid form by mouth or as a cream applied directly to the affected area.
What complications can result from Ringworm?
Lack of or inadequate treatment can result in an infection that will not clear up.
Is Ringworm an emerging infection?
Although Ringworm is not tracked by health authorities, infections appear to be increasing steadily, especially among pre-school and school-age children. Early recognition and treatment are needed to slow the spread of infection and to prevent re-infection.
How can Ringworm be prevented?
Ringworm is difficult to prevent. The fungus is very common, and it is contagious even before symptoms appear.
Steps to prevent infection include the following:
- Educate the public, especially parents, about the risk of Ringworm from infected persons and pets.
- Keep common-use areas clean, especially in schools, day-care centers, gyms, and locker rooms. Disinfect sleeping mats and gym mats after each use.
- Do not share clothing, towels, hair brushes,or other personal items.
Infected persons should follow these steps to keep the infection from spreading:
- Complete treatment as instructed, even after symptoms disappear.
- Do not share towels, hats, clothing, or other personal items with others.
- Minimize close contact with others until treated.
- Make sure the person or animal that was the source of infection gets treated.
This fact sheet is for information only and is not meant to be used for self-diagnosis or as a substitute for consultation with a health-care provider. If you have any questions about the disease described above or think that you might have a fungus infection, consult a health-care provider.
Health Promotion Foundation
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Ringworm
Alternative names Return to top
Dermatophytid; Tinea
Definition Return to top
Ringworm is a skin infection caused by a fungus. Ringworm can affect skin on your body (tinea corporis), scalp (tinea capitis), groin area (tinea cruris, also called jock itch), or feet (tinea pedis, also called athlete’s foot).
Often, there are several patches of ringworm on your skin at once.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top
Ringworm is a common skin disorder, especially among children, but it may affect people of all ages. Although its name suggests otherwise, it is caused by a fungus, not a worm.
Many bacteria and fungi live on your body. Some of these are useful to you and your body. Others can multiply rapidly and form infections. Ringworm occurs when a particular type of fungus grows and multiplies anywhere on your skin, scalp, or nails.
Ringworm is contagious. It can be passed from one person to the next by direct skin-to-skin contact or by contact with contaminated items such as combs, unwashed clothing, and shower or pool surfaces. You can also catch ringworm from pets that carry the fungus. Cats are common carriers.
The fungi that cause ringworm thrive in warm, moist areas. Ringworm is more likely when you have frequent wetness (such as from sweating) and minor injuries to your skin, scalp, or nails.
Symptoms Return to top
The symptoms of ringworm include:
Itchy, red, raised, scaly patches that may blister and ooze. The patches often have sharply-defined edges. They are often redder around the outside with normal skin tone in the center. This may create the appearance of a ring. Your skin may also appear unusually dark or light.
When your scalp or beard is infected, you will have bald patches.
If nails are infected, they become discolored, thick, and even crumble.
Signs and tests Return to top
Your doctor will diagnose ringworm primarily based on the appearance of the skin. If tests are needed, the fungus may appear florescent when your skin is examined with a blue light (called a Wood’s lamp) in a dark room. A more definitive diagnosis can be made by scraping the affected area of skin and examining the cells under a microscope.
Treatment Return to top
Ringworm usually responds well to self-care within 4 weeks without having to see a doctor.
Keep your skin clean and dry.
Apply over-the-counter antifungal or drying powders, lotions, or creams. Those that contain miconazole, clotrimazole, or similar ingredients are often effective.
Wash sheets and nightclothes every day while infected. A severe or persistent infection may require treatment by a doctor. Antifungal pills may be given and are necessary if your hair is infected. Prescription antifungal skin medications, such as ketoconazole, are stronger than over-the-counter products and may be needed. Antibiotics may also be needed to treat related bacterial infections.
Infected pets also should be treated.
Expectations (prognosis) Return to top
Skin medication is usually successful at treating Ringworm within 4 weeks. If your ringworm infection is severe or resistant (meaning that it does not respond well to self-care), it will usually respond quickly to antifungal pills.
Complications Return to top
Spread of ringworm to other areas
Bacterial skin infections
Contact dermatitis or other skin disorders
Side effects from medications
Calling your health care provider Return to top
Call your doctor right away if you have any signs of a bacterial infection, which can result from scratching. These signs include swelling, warmth to the touch, sudden worsening in redness of the patches, red streaking, pus, discharge, and fever.
Call your doctor if:
Ringworm infects your scalp or beard.
Your skin does not improve after 4 weeks of self-care.
Prevention Return to top
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Keep your skin and feet clean and dry.
Shampoo regularly, especially after haircuts.
Do not share clothing, towels, hairbrushes, combs, headgear, or other personal care items. Such items should be thoroughly cleaned and dried after use.
Wear sandals or shoes at gyms, lockers, and pools.
Avoid touching pets with bald spots.
References Return to top
Weinstein A. Topical treatment of common superficial tinea infections. Am Fam Physician. 2002; 65(10): 2095-2102.
Gupta AK. Treatments of tinea pedis. Dermatol Clin. 2003; 21(3): 431-462.
Pratte M. Common skin conditions in athletes. Clin Fam Pract. 2003; 5(3): 653.
Update Date: 6/16/2005
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