Ringworm: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments & How to Identify

Ringworm, also known as dermatophytosis or tinea, is a common fungal infection that affects the skin. It is caused by a type of fungus called a dermatophyte, which can live on the skin, hair, and nails. Ringworm can be spread through direct contact with an infected person or animal, or by contact with contaminated objects.

Causes

Ringworm is caused by a type of fungus called a dermatophyte. Dermatophytes are molds that live on the keratinized tissues of the body, such as the skin, hair, and nails. There are many different species of dermatophytes, and each one can cause a different type of ringworm infection.

Symptoms

The symptoms of ringworm depend on the location of the infection. On the skin, ringworm typically appears as a round, red, scaly patch that may itch or burn. The patch may gradually enlarge and spread, and it may develop a raised, bumpy border.

On the scalp, ringworm can cause:

- Itching

- Scaling

- Bald patches

- Broken hair

On the nails, ringworm can cause:

- Thickening

- Discoloration

- Brittleness

- Crumbling

Treatments

Ringworm is typically treated with antifungal medications. These medications can be applied directly to the skin, taken by mouth, or both. The type of medication that is prescribed will depend on the severity of the infection.

Some common antifungal medications used to treat ringworm include:

- Clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF)

- Miconazole (Desenex, Micatin)

- Terbinafine (Lamisil)

- Fluconazole (Diflucan)

- Itraconazole (Sporanox)

Prevention

There are a few things you can do to help prevent ringworm infection:

- Keep your skin clean and dry.

- Avoid contact with infected people or animals.

- Do not share personal items, such as towels, combs, or hairbrushes.

- Wear shoes in public areas.

- If you have a ringworm infection, treat it promptly to avoid spreading it to others.