Ringworm

Ringworm is a common fungal skin disease otherwise known as tinea. Ringworm most commonly affects the skin on the body, the scalp, the feet  or athlete's foot or the groin. Ringworm is not caused by a worm. Characterized by round lesions  and early belief that the infection was caused by a parasite (worm), the term ringworm was born. Further confusion comes from the medical term for ringworm, tinea, which is Latin for 'growing worm.'

Although the world is full of yeasts, molds, and fungi, only a few cause skin problems. Ringworm fungi are known as dermatophytes -- microscopic organisms that live off the dead tissues of your skin, hair, and nails. The fungus that causes ringworm thrives in warm, moist areas. There are several types of ringworm (tinea) that can affect different parts of the body. When fungus affects the skin of the body, it often produces the round spots.  If you have a ring-shaped rash, you very likely have ringworm. However, it is important to distinguish this rash from other even more common rashes, such as nummular eczema. This condition, and others, may appear similar to ringworm, but they are not fungal and require different treatment.

Ringworm of the scalp commonly affects children in late childhood or adolescence. This condition may spread in schools. Tinea capitis often appears as patchy, scaling bald spots on the scalp. Tinea pedis is an extremely common skin disorder, also known as athlete’s foot.  This fungal (tinea) infection may cause scaling and inflammation in the toe webs, especially the one between the fourth and fifth toes. Other symptoms include itching, burning, redness, and stinging on the soles of the feet.

Tinea of the groin (jock itch) tends to have a reddish-brown color and may extend from the folds of the groin down onto one or both thighs. Jock itch may occur due to sweating, hot and humid weather, or friction from wearing tight clothes.

Ringworm of the bearded area of the face and neck, with swellings and marked crusting, sometimes causes the hair to break off. In the days when men went to the barber daily for a shave, tinea barbae was called barber's itch. Ringworm on the face outside of the beard area is called tinea faciei. On the face, ringworm is rarely ring-shaped. Characteristically, it causes red, scaly patches with indistinct edges.

Ringworm may involve the hands, particularly the palms and the spaces between the fingers. It typically causes thickening of these areas, often on only one hand. Tinea manus is a common companion of tinea pedis (ringworm of the feet). It is also called tinea manuum. Ringworm is the most common fungal infection of the nails, also called onychomycosis. It can make fingernails look white, thick, opaque, and brittle, but more often toenails look yellow, thick, and brittle. Artificial nails increase the risk for tinea unguium as emery boards can carry infection, and water can collect under the artificial nail, creating a moist area for fungal growth.

Ringworm is highly contagious and can be spread multiple ways. You can get it from an infected person, animal, object, and even soil. Heat and moisture help fungi grow and thrive, which makes them more common in areas where you sweat. Fungi also grows in skin folds such as those in the groin or between the toes.

Ringworm can be treated with anti fungal creams containing clotrimazole, miconazole, ketoconazole and terbinafine. In cases of severe or resistant infections on the scalp or nails, doctors may prescribe oral medicines such as terbinafine, itraconazole, Griseofulvin and fluconazole.

Simple prevention reduces your risk of developing ringworm. Ringworm is difficult to prevent, but here are tips to reduce your risk: Don't share clothing, sports gear, towels, or sheets. Wear slippers in locker rooms and public pool & bathing areas. Shower after any sport that includes skin-to-skin contact. Wear loose-fitting cotton clothing. Change your socks and underwear at least once a day. Keep skin clean and dry. Dry yourself completely after showing. If you have athlete's foot, put your socks on before your underwear to prevent spreading to your groin. Take your pet to the vet if it has patches of missing hair, which could be a sign of a fungal infection.