Facts on Ringworm

Ringworm is not a serious affliction, but it is highly contagious. People can easily contract the fungus, especially in highly trafficked areas such as gyms, day care centers and schools. Ringworm is not life-threatening, but it can cause severe itching and rashes in various parts of the body.

What Is Ringworm?

• Ringworm is a fungal infection that affects the skin on the scalp, body (particularly the groin area) and feet. Ringworm can also develop under the fingernails and toenails. Ringworm, or Tinea, is also known as athlete's foot or jock itch and is highly contagious. It gets its name from the red ring it leaves on an infected person's skin. The fungus lives in warm, moist environments, making gym locker rooms and showers the most common places to contract the fungus.

How Does Ringworm Spread?

• Ringworm is spread from person to person by direct contact with an infected individual. Infection can also be spread between animals and people. A person can also become infected through indirect contact with items that are contaminated with the fungus. Some common ways many people contract ringworm is from contact with contaminated hats, combs, brushes, bed linens, stuffed animals, telephones, gym mats and shower stalls.

Symptoms

• On the scalp, ringworm starts out as a small blemish, getting increasingly larger and causing dry, scaly patches that flake and itch. Often, ringworm of the scalp can cause hair loss and temporary baldness. On the body, ringworm thrives in warm, moist areas and usually appears in the folds of the skin such as the groin or often between the toes, as in athlete's foot. A white or red ring or rash will appear and there will be excessive itching and flaking or cracking of the skin. When ringworm appears under the nails of fingers and toes, it usually causes extreme dryness and breakage.

Treatment

• Ringworm is easily treated by applying an antifungal lotion to the affected areas. In some cases, the area where the rash occurred may become infected. In these cases, a doctor might prescribe a topical antibiotic. Lotions and medications used to treat ringworm are usually nonprescriptive and available in your local drugstore. Some brand names of antifungal medications used to treat ringworm are Lamasil, Tinactin and Lotrimin.

Prevention/Solution

• Because of its highly contagious nature, ringworm can be difficult to prevent. However, cautionary measures can be taken by keeping common rooms such as public shower areas, bathrooms and locker rooms as disinfected as possible. People should be aware of contagion and avoid sharing hair brushes, towels or clothing with a person who may have the fungus. If you are infected, try to minimize skin-to-skin contact with others until the fungus has been treated.