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Why is ringworm called ring worm?
Is ringworm a fungus?
What is ringworm of the body?
What is ringworm leaflet?
What does ringworm look like?
What skin conditions resemble ringworm?
Ringworm is a common fungal infection. It's not caused by worms. You can usually buy medicine from a pharmacy to treat it. Check if it's ringworm. The main symptom of ringworm is a rash. It may look red or darker than the surrounding skin, depending on your skin tone. The rash may be scaly, dry, swollen or itchy.
- Head Lice and Nits
Head lice can make your head feel itchy. The only way to be...
- Head Lice and Nits
Sep 20, 2024 · On your scalp, ringworm may look more like a flaky red pimple than a ring. Myth 4: Only children get ringworm. Children are more likely to get certain types of ringworm, but you can get infected ...
- Overview
- What is ringworm?
- How do I know if I have ringworm?
- How does a human get ringworm?
- How is ringworm diagnosed?
- What is the best cure for ringworm?
- What are the risk factors for ringworm?
- Can you prevent ringworm?
- What are the complications of ringworm?
- What other conditions can look like ringworm?
Ringworm is a fungal infection that causes a ring-shaped infection on the skin. Conditions like eczema and psoriasis can sometimes resemble ringworm, but there are key differences in appearance and treatment.
Ringworm — also known as dermatophytosis, dermatophyte infection, or tinea — is a fungal infection of the skin.
“Ringworm” is actually a misnomer since it’s a fungus and not a worm that causes the infection. The lesion caused by this infection resembles a worm in the shape of a ring, which is why it got its name.
Ringworm is usually specifically used to describe tinea corporis (ringworm of the body) or tinea capitis (ringworm of the scalp). It’s sometimes used to describe tinea infection in other locations, such as tinea cruris (ringworm of the groin).
Ringworm initially appears as discolored, often scaly patches on affected areas. These patches typically appear red on lighter skin or brown-gray on darker skin.
Symptoms vary depending on where the infection occurs. With a skin infection, you may experience the following:
•itchiness
•itchy or scaly patches that are red, brown, or gray, or raised areas of skin called plaques
•a round, flat patch of itchy skin
•patches that develop blisters or pustules
Is ringworm contagious?
Ringworm fungi are very contagious and can spread to humans in four ways: •Human to human: You can get the infection if you come in contact with a person who has ringworm or if you share personal items, such as combs or towels. The infection is commonly spread among children and by sharing items harboring the fungus. •Animal to human: You can get ringworm after touching an affected animal or even items the animal has come in contact with. Cats and dogs are common sources, but other animals, such as farm animals, can spread fungi as well. The animals pick up the fungus spores from the environment, and the spores transfer to whatever the animal’s hair touches. According to the American Kennel Club, cats are more prone to getting ringworm than dogs. •Object to human: You may get the infection if you come in contact with an object or surface that has it, such as a telephone or the floor of a public shower. These fungi thrive in damp environments. •Soil to human: Humans and animals can get ringworm after direct contact with soil that is carrying the fungi. Ringworm is very common among children, adults with weakened immune systems, and owners of dogs or cats.
Will ringworm go away on its own?
Ringworm could go away on its own, but it’s likely to take longer than with treatment and is more likely with milder cases. Learn more about the length of contagion for ringworm.
Your doctor may give you a diagnosis of ringworm after examining your skin and possibly using a black light to view the affected area. Depending on the type of fungus, it may sometimes fluoresce (glow) under black light.
Your doctor may confirm a diagnosis of ringworm by requesting certain tests:
•If you’re getting either a skin biopsy or fungal culture, your doctor will take a sample of your skin or discharge from a blister and send it to a lab to test for the presence of fungus.
•If you’re getting a KOH exam, your doctor will scrape off a small area of affected skin onto a slide and place drops of a liquid called potassium hydroxide (KOH) on it. The KOH breaks apart typical skin cells, making the fungal elements easier to see under a microscope.
Medications
Your doctor may prescribe topical or oral antifungals depending on the severity of your ringworm infection and what part of your body it affects. They may also recommend OTC medications and antifungal creams containing clotrimazole, miconazole, terbinafine, or related ingredients. While getting treatment, make sure to wash your bedding and clothing daily to help disinfect your surroundings. Dry your skin thoroughly after bathing and wear only loose clothing in the affected areas. Take an in-depth look at ringworm treatments.
Home remedies
People have long used home remedies for ringworm such as apple cider vinegar, coconut oil, turmeric, and certain essential oils. However, these treatments are not scientifically proven, so it’s a good idea to consult a doctor before trying them. Home remedies shouldn’t replace known antifungal treatments. Learn more about home remedies for ringworm.
Treatment during pregnancy
If you get ringworm during pregnancy, there are topical medications such as ciclopirox (Loprox), clotrimazole (Lotrimin), and oxiconazole (Oxistat). These drugs aren’t known to cause problems for a baby. However, consult your doctor before using any medications while pregnant. Doctors usually don’t recommend oral medications like ketoconazole and miconazole due to their potential side effects during pregnancy. You should also talk with your doctor before using any medications if you’re breastfeeding or chestfeeding.
Anyone can get ringworm, but you may be more at risk if you:
•live in a warm, humid environment or climate
•participate in contact sports, like wrestling or football
•use public showers or locker rooms
•come in close contact with animals
•wear tight shoes or clothes that chafe your skin
Practicing healthy and hygienic behaviors can help prevent ringworm. Infections may come from contact with animals and lack of hygiene. Several tips to prevent ringworm include:
•washing your hands after interacting with an animal
•disinfecting and cleaning pet living areas
•limiting contact with people or animals with ringworm if you have a weakened immune system
•wearing shoes if showering or walking in community areas
•not sharing personal items like clothing, towels, or hairbrushes with people who might have ringworm
If left untreated, ringworm can spread to other areas of your body. You may also risk spreading the infection to someone else. Other potential complications include:
•hair loss and scarring
•dark marks left on your skin, particularly on darker skin
•nail deformities
•secondary infection if any bacteria entered broken skin
•Majocchi’s granuloma — a rare infection where the fungus has made its way to deeper layers of the skin
Two skin conditions can resemble ringworm. They are:
•Nummular eczema: This kind of eczema is similar to ringworm because it also causes round or coin-shaped lesions on your skin. Often, the only way to tell the difference is to have your doctor take samples of the skin cells and send them to a laboratory for testing.
•Plaque psoriasis: This is a disorder causing inflammatory plaques on your skin. Small, isolated plaques can sometimes look similar to ringworm.
Learn more about the differences between ringworm, nummular eczema, and psoriasis.
- Elly Dock
Ringworm on your body is called tinea corporis. This type of ringworm affects your arms, legs, torso and face. Ringworm is treated with antifungal medication available either over the counter or as a prescription. Types of ringworm. Ringworm has different names based on where it appears on your body — and it can appear just about anywhere.
May 18, 2023 · Ringworm is a fungal skin infection caused by parasites that live on dead skin tissue. (It is not due to a worm as its name implies!) There are many types of fungal germs (fungi) and some can infect the skin, nails, and hair. Fungal infections are also known as 'jock itch', 'tinea', 'tinea infections', 'dermatophyte infections' or ...
Sep 2, 2024 · Ringworm is a common fungal infection that can cause a red or silvery ring-like rash on the skin. Ringworm commonly affects arms and legs, but it can appear almost anywhere on the body. Despite its name, ringworm doesn’t have anything to do with worms. Other similar fungal infections can affect the scalp, feet, groin and nails.
Apr 26, 2022 · Signs and symptoms of ringworm may include: A scaly ring-shaped area, typically on the buttocks, trunk, arms and legs. Itchiness. A clear or scaly area inside the ring, perhaps with a scattering of bumps whose color ranges from red on white skin to reddish, purplish, brown or gray on black and brown skin. Slightly raised, expanding rings.
