The Effects of Ringworm

Ringworm is an infection of the skin caused by a fungus that is similar to athletes' foot. Ringworm is rarely a serious condition and will usually respond to favorably to topical anti-fungal medications such as Lamasil, but it can cause several irritating effects while the infection persists.

Rash

• Ringworm is most notably characterized by a ring shaped rash or rashes, which may look like a small circle of reddened pimples with normal skin in the middle. Larger cases of ringworm may consists of several circles overlapping or circles on different areas of the body. Rashes may also become scaly and dry, or produce oozing blisters. It is a good idea to cover areas infected with ringworm to prevent spreading it to others.

Itching

• Another common effect of ringworm is itchiness at the site of the rashes. The itchiness of the spots may increase over time and may increase if you itch them. Even if you aren't worried about spreading the rash to others, it can be useful to cover it simply to discourage itching. Excessive itching may cause scabbing and bleeding. Topical itch relievers may be effective in limiting the urge to scratch.

Hair Loss

• If ringworm fungus infects areas of your body that are covered in hair, you may lose hair. If ringworm infects your scalp or beard you may develop bald spots. What's more the skin on these areas may be more difficult to treat due to the abundance of hair. When you have an infection that causes bald spots, it is a good idea to contact a doctor.

Sports

• Ringworm is a very contagious infection that can spread via skin to skin contact. It also tends to thrive in damp environments, such as those produced by sweaty bodies during sports training, especially sports like wrestling with a lot of skin contact. If you become infected with ringworm, it may force you to drop out of competition or training while you wait for the infection to clear up. Officials of wrestling often require skin checks before meets and will not allow you to participate if you have ringworm.

Other Effects

• According to the National Library of Medicine, ringworm may also cause areas of your skin to become discolored, making them much lighter or darker than normal. Another possible effect is thickening, yellowing,or cracking of the nails if infection spreads to the fingers or toes. If you attempt to treat ringworm with over the counter medications and it doesn't show signs of improvement after a couple weeks, you should see a doctor.