Ringwormhas nothing to do with actual worms. Rather, the red, ring-shapedrash, clinically known as tinea, is a fungal infection. It’s highly contagious and spreads easily. Some people are more susceptible to catching ringworm than others, however.
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Common Causes
There are more than 40 species of fungi that can cause ringworm, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These fungi are known asdermatophytes. Specific dermatophytes associated with the various types of ringworm, including athlete’s foot, jock itch,tinea capitis(a fungal infection of the scalp), and others includeTrichophyton,Microsporum, andEpidermophyton.
Dermatophytes thrive in warm, moist areas of the body where they feed on dead keratin, skin cells on the epidermis and in nails and hair.
Dermatophyte fungi can thrive on inanimate surfaces as well. They produce spores that are shed into the infected child’s clothing, brushes or combs, and even into the air around the child. These spores can survive for months on objects.
Children are especially susceptible to ringworm and other skin rashes. People born with weak immune systems or who have compromised immune systems due to illness such as HIV/AIDs or certain medications, including corticosteroids or chemotherapy drugs, also have an increased risk of fungal infections.
Lifestyle Risk Factors
Health habits and other behaviors can put you at an increased risk of developing ringworm and other fungal infections. These include:
Frequently Asked Questions
It can. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends certain personal self-care measures to avoid getting ringworm:Aftersweating a lot, shower or bathe and dry off thoroughly.When practical, wear shoes that expose your feet to fresh air.Keep your nails clean andtrimmed.Put on fresh socks and underwear every day.
It can. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends certain personal self-care measures to avoid getting ringworm:
This depends on where on the body the fungus takes hold, but typically the earliestsymptoms of ringwormareitching, a rash that can be red and scaly or form a ring shape, and, if the infection is on the head or beard,hair loss. It can take as long as a couple of weeks for symptoms to appear after exposure.
How Ringworm Is Diagnosed
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Nenoff P, Handrick W, Krüger C, et al.[Dermatomycoses due to pets and farm animals : neglected infections?]. Hautarzt. 2012;63(11):848-58. doi:10.1007/s00105-012-2379-yJ. Dvořák,Z. Hubálek,M. Otčenášek.Survival of Dermatophytes in Human Skin Scales. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015;141(5):428. doi:10.1001/archderm.1968.01610170100021Toukabri N, Dhieb C, El euch D, Rouissi M, Mokni M, Sadfi-zouaoui N.Prevalence, Etiology, and Risk Factors of Tinea Pedis and Tinea Unguium in Tunisia. Can J Infect Dis Med Microbiol. 2017;2017:6835725. doi:10.1155/2017/6835725Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.People at Risk for Ringworm | Ringworm | Types of Diseases | Fungal Diseases | CDC.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Ringworm risk & prevention.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of ringworm infections.American Academy of Dermatology.Ringworm: 12 tips for getting the best results from treatment.Additional ReadingCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Definition of Ringworm.“MedlinePlus. “Fungal Infections.”
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Nenoff P, Handrick W, Krüger C, et al.[Dermatomycoses due to pets and farm animals : neglected infections?]. Hautarzt. 2012;63(11):848-58. doi:10.1007/s00105-012-2379-yJ. Dvořák,Z. Hubálek,M. Otčenášek.Survival of Dermatophytes in Human Skin Scales. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015;141(5):428. doi:10.1001/archderm.1968.01610170100021Toukabri N, Dhieb C, El euch D, Rouissi M, Mokni M, Sadfi-zouaoui N.Prevalence, Etiology, and Risk Factors of Tinea Pedis and Tinea Unguium in Tunisia. Can J Infect Dis Med Microbiol. 2017;2017:6835725. doi:10.1155/2017/6835725Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.People at Risk for Ringworm | Ringworm | Types of Diseases | Fungal Diseases | CDC.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Ringworm risk & prevention.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of ringworm infections.American Academy of Dermatology.Ringworm: 12 tips for getting the best results from treatment.Additional ReadingCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Definition of Ringworm.“MedlinePlus. “Fungal Infections.”
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Nenoff P, Handrick W, Krüger C, et al.[Dermatomycoses due to pets and farm animals : neglected infections?]. Hautarzt. 2012;63(11):848-58. doi:10.1007/s00105-012-2379-yJ. Dvořák,Z. Hubálek,M. Otčenášek.Survival of Dermatophytes in Human Skin Scales. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015;141(5):428. doi:10.1001/archderm.1968.01610170100021Toukabri N, Dhieb C, El euch D, Rouissi M, Mokni M, Sadfi-zouaoui N.Prevalence, Etiology, and Risk Factors of Tinea Pedis and Tinea Unguium in Tunisia. Can J Infect Dis Med Microbiol. 2017;2017:6835725. doi:10.1155/2017/6835725Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.People at Risk for Ringworm | Ringworm | Types of Diseases | Fungal Diseases | CDC.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Ringworm risk & prevention.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of ringworm infections.American Academy of Dermatology.Ringworm: 12 tips for getting the best results from treatment.
Nenoff P, Handrick W, Krüger C, et al.[Dermatomycoses due to pets and farm animals : neglected infections?]. Hautarzt. 2012;63(11):848-58. doi:10.1007/s00105-012-2379-y
J. Dvořák,Z. Hubálek,M. Otčenášek.Survival of Dermatophytes in Human Skin Scales. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015;141(5):428. doi:10.1001/archderm.1968.01610170100021
Toukabri N, Dhieb C, El euch D, Rouissi M, Mokni M, Sadfi-zouaoui N.Prevalence, Etiology, and Risk Factors of Tinea Pedis and Tinea Unguium in Tunisia. Can J Infect Dis Med Microbiol. 2017;2017:6835725. doi:10.1155/2017/6835725
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.People at Risk for Ringworm | Ringworm | Types of Diseases | Fungal Diseases | CDC.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Ringworm risk & prevention.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of ringworm infections.
American Academy of Dermatology.Ringworm: 12 tips for getting the best results from treatment.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Definition of Ringworm.“MedlinePlus. “Fungal Infections.”
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Definition of Ringworm.”
MedlinePlus. “Fungal Infections.”
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