Ringworm is a common skin infection that is caused by a fungus. It’s called “ringworm” because it can cause a circular rash (shaped like a ring) that is usually red and itchy. Anyone can get ringworm. The fungi that cause this infection can live on skin, surfaces, and on household items such as clothing, towels, and bedding.
Ringworm goes by many names. The medical terms are “tinea” or “dermatophytosis.” Other names for ringworm are based on its location on the body – for example, ringworm on the feet is also called “athlete’s foot.”
Ringworm can affect skin on almost any part of the body as well as fingernails and toenails. The symptoms of ringworm often depend on which part of the body is infected, but they generally include:
Itchy skin
Ring-shaped rash
Red, scaly, cracked skin
Hair loss Symptoms typically appear between 4 and 14 days after the skin comes in contact with the fungi that cause ringworm. 53 The fungi that cause ringworm can live on skin and in the environment. There are three main ways that ringworm can spread:
1. From a person who has ringworm 2. From an animal that has ringworm. 3. From the environment.