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Ringworm

Show Alternative Names
Dermatophytosis
Dermatophyte fungal infection - tinea
Tinea

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:

Review Date: 5/31/2023

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.

References

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.

Disclaimer

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

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Videos
Images
Dermatitis - reaction to tinea - Illustration Thumbnail

Dermatitis - reaction to tinea

This picture shows a skin inflammation of the fingers with multiple blisters (vesicles) caused by an allergic reaction to a fungal infection (tinea corporis). (Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)

Illustration

Ringworm - tinea corporis on an infant's leg - Illustration Thumbnail

Ringworm - tinea corporis on an infant's leg

This child's leg shows a classical-appearing ringworm lesion with central clearing and a slightly raised red border.

Illustration

Ringworm, tinea capitis - close-up - Illustration Thumbnail

Ringworm, tinea capitis - close-up

In the scalp, fungal infections often form circular, scaly, inflamed patches. Frequently, there can be temporary hair loss (hair returns when infection clears but if treatment is delayed and scarring results, permanent hair loss can be seen). This is a classical example of ringworm (tinea capitis) in a young child.

Illustration

Ringworm - tinea on the hand and leg - Illustration Thumbnail

Ringworm - tinea on the hand and leg

This is a picture of ringworm (tinea) on the hand and leg. Tinea is a fungal infection of the skin. Ringworm is not seen as frequently in adults as in children, but when conditions are conducive to growth, the fungus can flourish.

Illustration

Ringworm - tinea manuum on the finger - Illustration Thumbnail

Ringworm - tinea manuum on the finger

This is a picture of ringworm, tinea manum, on the finger. This fungal infection is inflamed and scaly.

Illustration

Ringworm - tinea corporis on the leg - Illustration Thumbnail

Ringworm - tinea corporis on the leg

Ringworm is a fungal infection of the skin. It usually produces a ring-shaped lesion which appears to clear in the center. The edges of the lesion may be slightly raised and often itch. Central clearing can be seen in some of the infected areas on the leg of this person.

Illustration

Tinea (ringworm) - Illustration Thumbnail

Tinea (ringworm)

Ringworm is a common skin disorder, especially among children, but may occur in people of all ages. It is caused by mold-like fungi (dermatophytes).

Illustration

 
 
Dermatitis - reaction to tinea - Illustration Thumbnail

Dermatitis - reaction to tinea

This picture shows a skin inflammation of the fingers with multiple blisters (vesicles) caused by an allergic reaction to a fungal infection (tinea corporis). (Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)

Illustration

Ringworm - tinea corporis on an infant's leg - Illustration Thumbnail

Ringworm - tinea corporis on an infant's leg

This child's leg shows a classical-appearing ringworm lesion with central clearing and a slightly raised red border.

Illustration

Ringworm, tinea capitis - close-up - Illustration Thumbnail

Ringworm, tinea capitis - close-up

In the scalp, fungal infections often form circular, scaly, inflamed patches. Frequently, there can be temporary hair loss (hair returns when infection clears but if treatment is delayed and scarring results, permanent hair loss can be seen). This is a classical example of ringworm (tinea capitis) in a young child.

Illustration

Ringworm - tinea on the hand and leg - Illustration Thumbnail

Ringworm - tinea on the hand and leg

This is a picture of ringworm (tinea) on the hand and leg. Tinea is a fungal infection of the skin. Ringworm is not seen as frequently in adults as in children, but when conditions are conducive to growth, the fungus can flourish.

Illustration

Ringworm - tinea manuum on the finger - Illustration Thumbnail

Ringworm - tinea manuum on the finger

This is a picture of ringworm, tinea manum, on the finger. This fungal infection is inflamed and scaly.

Illustration

Ringworm - tinea corporis on the leg - Illustration Thumbnail

Ringworm - tinea corporis on the leg

Ringworm is a fungal infection of the skin. It usually produces a ring-shaped lesion which appears to clear in the center. The edges of the lesion may be slightly raised and often itch. Central clearing can be seen in some of the infected areas on the leg of this person.

Illustration

Tinea (ringworm) - Illustration Thumbnail

Tinea (ringworm)

Ringworm is a common skin disorder, especially among children, but may occur in people of all ages. It is caused by mold-like fungi (dermatophytes).

Illustration

 
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