How to Test for Ringworm

Ringworm is a fungal skin infection that can affect the body, the scalp or the feet. Ringworm that appears on the feet is generally referred to as athlete's foot. The infection is spread from person to person and can also be transmitted from animals to people. Most people who have contracted ringworm have rashes on several areas of their body at once. A visit to the doctor's office can confirm a ringworm diagnosis.

Things You'll Need

• Microscope

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Instructions

• 1

  Give your medical history to your doctor as it relates to ringworm. Much of the testing or diagnosis for ringworm involves ruling out other types of skin rash. Tell your doctor if you have come into contact with any animals, especially house cats, that may have a rash, or if any of your close friends or family who have recently been diagnosed with ringworm.

• 2

  Allow your doctor to visually examine your rash. Ringworm gets its name from the shape of the rash--a circular pattern with healthy-looking skin in the center, according to the National Institutes of Health. The rash may itch, peel, ooze or blister. You may experience hair loss in areas that are affected by scalp ringworm.

• 3

  Biopsy the rash to test for ringworm. In this case, taking a sample is non-invasive and involves only a minor scraping of the skin to remove a piece of the fungus. Examining the sample under a microscope allows your doctor to see the composition of the rash and to make a firm diagnosis.

• 4

  Use a Wood's lamp to test for ringworm. This special light is shone on the affected area in a darkened room. The fungal infection will glow, indicating that ringworm is present.