Ringworm Characteristics

Ringworm is a common fungal infection that affects the skin and scalp. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Ringworm on the scalp usually makes a bald patch of scaly skin. People with ringworm on other parts of their skin can have a ring-shaped rash that is reddish, and may be itchy. The rash can be dry and scaly, or wet and crusty."

Transmission

• Ringworm is transmitted by skin-to-skin contact with an infected person, or contact with infected personal items, animals, showers, and swimming pools. Although anyone can get ringworm, the fungal infection is more common among children who attend daycare and school, and athletes who spend extended periods of time in sweaty clothes, public showers, and locker-rooms.

Incubation Period

• Ringworm of the skin can appear between four and 10 days after initial contact. And scalp ringworm can appear 10 to 14 days after contact.

Treatment

• Skin ringworm can usually be treated at home with over-the-counter antifungal creams that contain miconazole or clotrimazole. If the ringworm is in the scalp, a trip to the doctor is necessary. This type of ringworm will not go away with over-the-counter meds. Scalp ringworm must be treated with oral prescription medications, and selenium sulfide shampoo.

Healing Time

• With proper treatment, ringworm usually goes away after a few weeks. So if your infection hasn't cleared up after four-weeks, visit a doctor. A more aggressive treatment may be required.

Prevention

• To prevent ringworm from spreading, avoid sharing items such as combs, brushes, hair accessories, clothes, pillows, towels, and bedding. Wash your bedding every night until the infection has cleared. Avoid swimming pools, and disinfect the tub and shower with a bleach water solution after each use. Also, ringworm thrives in moist dark environments, so keep the infected area dry, and avoid covering the lesions.