A ringworm is a type of fungal infection on the skin. This fungus called tinea usually produces a round spot on the skin. It is possible to have ringworm infections that are not round at all. A ringworm is confirmed by an evaluation of a sample of the skin under a microscope and a culture test. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, ringworms are easily treated.
Ringworm is spread by touching the skin of a person that has the infection. It can also be spread by touching things that an infected person has touched such as clothing, towels or gym equipment. Ringworm, although rare, can be contracted by touching an infected dog or cat (Webmd.com, “Skin Problems and Treatments,” accessed February 28, 2010).
Types and Symptoms of Ringworm
The fungi tinea can infect different areas of the body. Symptoms vary depending on the location of the infection. One area that can be infected is the scalp. This type of ringworm is referred to as tinea capitis. Tinea capitis is usually seen in children or in teens and is spread in schools. The symptoms are scaling of the scalp that causes loss of hair in some spots.
Tinea faciei is the name doctors use to identify ringworms on the face, except in the area of facial hair such as a beard. The symptoms of this infection are red scaly patches, usually not round, with indistinct edges. If the infection is located in the beard or in the area of facial hair, it is called tinea barbae. The symptoms of tinea barbae are swelling of the area, crusting and itching. Sometimes the hair may break off or fall out.
When the ringworm is located on the skin of the trunk of the body or arms and legs, it is referred to as tinea corporis. This infection often produces round, red, itchy rashes. This is the classic ringworm.
Because warmth and moisture help fungi grow, infections are often seen in skin folds like around the groin area or in between toes. Tinea cruris, also known as jock itch, is a reddish brown rash infecting the groin area. Tinea pedis, also known as athlete’s foot causes scaling, inflammation and sometimes blisters between the toes. It can also present with a thickening or scaling of the skin on the heels and soles of the feet.
The last two types of ringworm are tinea manus and tinea unguium. Ringworm on the hands, palms and between fingers is called tinea manus and causes thickening of the areas infected. Tinea manus usually only affects one hand. Tinea unguium is a fungus that infects the fingernails and toenails causing the nails to become yellow, thick and crumbly. This is also referred to as fungal nails or onychomycosis (Merck.com, “Fungal Skin Infections,” accessed February 28, 2010).
Treatment for Ringworm
There are two types of treatments for ringworm, topical treatments and oral medications. Topical applications include creams and ointments and other preparations. There are many antifungal creams and ointments that can clear fungal skin infections in two or three weeks. Other topical treatments that are important in treating skin infections include washing and soaking the affected areas. The online Merck Manual, “Fungal Skin Infections,” lists many topical treatments for fungal skin infections.
Some infections do not always respond to external applications and may need prescription medications as an effective treatment. The Webmd.com article, “Skin Problems and Treatments”, discusses several types of oral medications that systemically treat fungal skin infections.
Prevention of Ringworm
Proper skin care is the number one way of preventing fungal infections. The skin should be kept clean and dry. The entire body should be dried completely after baths, showers or swimming. The feet should be the last areas dried with the towel. Bathing and shampooing should be done after all contact sports or activities that require skin-to-skin contact.
Clothing, including underwear and socks, should be clean and dry. Cotton clothing, including socks and underwear should be worn. Tight fitting or binding clothing such as pantyhose should be avoided. Socks should be donned before the underwear to prevent potential foot fungus from spreading to other skin areas.
Sharing of clothes, towels, sports equipment or sheets should be avoided. In areas that are shared by others such as locker rooms, dormitory showers and gymnasiums, slippers or sandals should be worn. Sporting goods and exercise equipment should be clean and dried before and after each activity.
Household pets should have regular veterinary exams. If a pet has patches of missing hair or other signs of skin problems, the pet should be evaluated and treated immediately to prevent the spread of ringworms to family members or other people in the home (Webmd.com “Ringworm of the Skin-Prevention,” accessed February 28, 2010).
Mary Ann George - I am a registered nurse currently working as a case manager in the home health industry. My credentials include a BS degree in education, ...
