Ringworm
Ringworm is a skin infection due to a fungus. Often, there are several patches of ringworm on the skin at once. The medical name for ringworm is tinea.
Causes
Ringworm is common, especially among children. But, it can affect people of all ages. It is caused by a fungus, not a worm like the name suggests.
Many bacteria, fungi, and yeast live on your body. Some of these are useful, while others can cause infections. Ringworm occurs when a type of fungus grows and multiplies on your skin.
Ringworm can spread from one person to another. You can catch ringworm if you touch someone who has the infection, or if you come in contact with items contaminated by the fungus, such as combs, unwashed clothing, and shower or pool surfaces. You can also catch ringworm from pets. Cats are common carriers.
The fungus that causes ringworm thrives in warm, moist areas. Ringworm is more likely when you are often wet (such as from sweating) and from minor injuries to your skin, scalp, or nails.
Ringworm can affect the skin on your:
- Beard, tinea barbae
Tinea barbae
Folliculitis is inflammation of one or more hair follicles. It can occur anywhere on the skin.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Body, tinea corporis
Tinea corporis
Ringworm is a skin infection that is caused by fungi. It is also called tinea. Related skin fungus infections may appear:On the scalpIn a man's bear...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Feet, tinea pedis (also called athlete's foot)
Tinea pedis
Athlete's foot is an infection of the feet caused by fungus. The medical term is tinea pedis or ringworm of the foot.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Groin area, tinea cruris (also called jock itch)
Tinea cruris
Jock itch is an infection of the groin area caused by a fungus. The medical term is tinea cruris or ringworm of the groin.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Scalp, tinea capitis
Reviewed By
Ramin Fathi, MD, FAAD, Director, Phoenix Surgical Dermatology Group, Phoenix, AZ. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Elewski BE, Hughey LC, Hunt KM, Hay RJ. Fungal diseases. In: Bolognia JL, Schaffer JV, Cerroni L, eds. Dermatology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 77.
Hay RJ. Dermatophytosis (ringworm) and other superficial mycoses. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 266.