What does ringworm do to you

Their website provides information about the symptoms, causes, and treatment of ringworm, along with self-care tips. Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization that performs clinical practice, education, and research. Their website offers information about symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of ringworm. By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Health Topics. Health Tools. Reviewed: August 21, Medically Reviewed. Types of ringworm include: Tinea pedis Athlete's foot ringworm on the feet Tinea cruris Jock itch ringworm on the groin, inner thighs, and buttocks Tinea barbae Ringworm on the beard area Tinea manuum Ringworm on the hands Tinea capitis Ringworm on the scalp Tinea unguium Onychomycosis ringworm on the fingernails and toenails Tinea corporis Ringworm on other parts of the body, such as the arms or legs.

The soles and heels of the feet may also be affected. In severe cases, blistering of the feet can occur. Tinea cruris, or jock itch Itchy, scaly red spots usually appear on the inner thighs.

Tinea barbae Scaly, itchy red spots may be visible on the cheeks, chin, and upper neck. The spots may become crusty or fill up with pus, and hair loss may occur.

Tinea manuum Palms may have dry skin with deep cracks, and ring-shaped patches may appear on the back of the hand. Ringworm on the scalp is more common in children than adults.

You can catch ringworm by: Having direct, skin-to-skin contact with affected areas of an infected person's body Touching items that have the fungi on them, such as clothing, combs, pool surfaces, and shower floors Playing with pets.

Cats and dogs, and especially kittens and puppies, are common carriers, according to the National Institutes of Health NIH. Be sure to take your pet to the veterinarian if you think it might have an infection. Try to avoid excessive sweating. Wash your hands often and well. Shower right after playing sports and keep your uniform and gear clean.

Avoid infected animals, and have your pets or animals checked for ringworm. Change your clothes, including your underwear and socks, every day, and wash them before wearing them again. Ringworm often spreads by direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person or animal. Mild ringworm often responds to antifungal medications applied to the skin. For more-severe infections, you may need to take antifungal pills for several weeks. Talk to your doctor if you have a rash that doesn't begin to improve within two weeks of using an over-the-counter antifungal product.

You may need prescription medication. Ringworm is a contagious fungal infection caused by common mold-like parasites that live on the cells in the outer layer of your skin. It can be spread in the following ways:. A fungal infection rarely spreads below the surface of the skin to cause serious illness.

Ringworm is difficult to prevent. The fungus that causes it is common, and the condition is contagious even before symptoms appear. Take these steps to reduce your risk of ringworm:.

Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. It appears as pink plaques with heavy white scales. Small isolated plaques can sometimes look similar to ringworm. However, ringworm on your trunk or limbs tinea corporis will usually have a circular appearance with clearing in the middle.

It will also usually be an isolated spot or limited to only a few lesions. Plaque psoriasis skin lesions are usually larger, involve more areas of the skin, and occur in distinct locations lower back, elbows, knees.

The conditions have different underlying causes as well. A fungus causes ringworm, while a dysfunctional immune system causes psoriasis. Find out how to identify ringworm and psoriasis. If left untreated, ringworm can spread to other areas of the body. A person can also risk spreading the infection to someone else. Other potential areas of complication include:.

The complications of tinea capitis ringworm of the scalp are especially worrisome, since it can produce life-long permanent hair loss. Practicing healthy and hygienic behaviors can prevent ringworm. Infections may come from contact with animals and lack of proper hygiene. Here are several tips to avoid ringworm:. Examples of these drugs fine to use when applied topically include:. Examples include:. You can get ringworm from your dog. Watch your dog regularly for signs that they may have ringworm.

They will usually have a loss of fur on their skin, often in a circular pattern. You should also wash your hands frequently after petting your dog to reduce infection risk whenever possible.

According to the American Kennel Club , cats are more prone to getting ringworm than dogs are. They can pass the condition along to their human owners as well. Like ringworm in dogs, if you spot ringworm in cats, call the veterinarian. They can prescribe antifungal treatments. You should also always wash your hands after petting your cat and try to clean all of the items they come in contact with, such as brushes and water bowls.

If you do get ringworm from your cat, you can treat it the same as you would any fungal infection. This includes topical antifungals. Ringworm is a contagious skin infection causing a small, itchy, ring-shaped rash. It's not a worm.

We break down what causes it and how to treat it. Ringworm of the scalp is a fungal infection. Also called Tinea capitis, it causes small patches of itchy, scaly skin. Read on to learn how to manage…. In fact, most cases of ringworm can be treated at home. Dermatophyte spores spread in the following ways :. If a person or animal has the infection, they may deposit fungal spores on objects and surfaces when they touch them; anyone who touches those objects may become infected.

Children usually show symptoms when they become infected, but many adults do not. The older an individual is, the more likely their immune system will protect them.

However, they may still be a carrier. The following risk factors either increase the chances of developing ringworm or make the symptoms worse:. On the body, patches grow slowly in size, and more patches can appear on other parts of the body. The center of the patch may clear, leaving a ring. If there are several rings, they may merge. Athletes foot tends to start between the toes before spreading to the bottom or sides of the feet, or both.

The skin between the toes can then turn white and become soft. On the nails, ringworm starts with a thickening of the skin under the nail, followed by a thickening and discoloration of the nails. Over time, the nails will lift, crumble, and disappear. In the groin, the first sign is usually an itchy rash in the crease where the leg meets the body. This can spread to the groin, the inner thigh, the waist, and the buttocks.

A doctor can normally diagnose ringworm or a groin infection after examining the affected area and asking the patient about their medical history and symptoms. They may take a small scraping of the skin, which will not hurt, and examine it under a microscope to look for characteristics of fungi.