Ringworm Overview

If you think you've been exposed to ringworm, there are some general symptoms to note. Ringworm infections can be itchy and most are red, scaly and cracked, or a combination of all three [source: National Center for Infectious Diseases]. Each specific condition also has its own symptoms.

Tinea corporis is ringworm that occurs in the general body areas - not specific sites like your hands, feet, or head - and will most likely be itchy, scaly and have very clear edges. It's usually red, and often the outside is redder than the middle, which may cause it to look like a ring. This type of ringworm may crack, blister and ooze [source: National Library Medicine].

Hair loss is a key symptom in tinea capitis, or ringworm on your scalp. Bald spots, scaly areas and blisters may appear. You may notice a dandruff-like crustiness on the scalp [source: Cleveland Clinic]. If afflicted with tinea cruris, or jock itch, the ringworm appears in the groin area but can also affect the thighs near the groin. This form of ringworm tends to be itchy and reddish-brown [source: MedicineNet].

Tinea manuum is ringworm on the hands that looks scaly, dry and abnormally red [source: Trevino, Cairns]. Tinea unguium is a ringworm infection that occurs in the nails. You nails can become discolored, thicker, brittle and can even crumble [source: New York State Department of Health].

With tinea pedis, athlete's foot tends to be especially prevalent between the toes. You may have itching, burning, redness, scaly spots, cracked skin and even blisters between your toes or on the bottoms of your feet. Along with these symptoms, ringworm on your feet can make them smell putrid [source: Cleveland Clinic].

With so many types of ringworm out there, it's helpful to know their causes.

Although ringworm isn't life-threatening, it can make living quite uncomfortable. To prevent a ringworm infection, your first line of defense is to be aware of the factors that cause it. Dermatophyte fungi like to live and grow in warm, damp environments, and can be transferred by physical contact [source: Trevino, Cairns].

While going to the gym is good for your health in many ways, it does have its disadvantages. Yoga mats, gym mats, locker-rooms and shower floors can all harbor the ringworm fungus. Walking around on a dirty, contaminated floor can give you athlete's foot. Rolling around on an infected mat can spread ringworm to what ever parts of your body it comes in contact with [source: American Society for Dermatologic Surgery].

Damp and dirty clothes, particularly towels, provide the moist environment that the ringworm fungus loves. If you towel off with an infected towel, you're likely to spread the fungus all over you [source: National Library of Medicine].

Any grooming tool like combs or hairbrushes , or head accessory you wear like a hat, headband or wig can harbor the fungus. You can easily transfer ringworm to your scalp by using someone else's infected brush or your friend's stylish, yet contaminated, hat [source: Trevino, Cairns].

You know you can get it by sharing items, but what about from other people? Read on to find out how contagious ringworm is.

Ringworm is a prevalent fungal infection but you might not know just how contagious it is.. It's spread by direct contact, either by touching the skin of someone who's infected, by touching the fur of an animal that's infected, or by touching an object that's contaminated with the fungus. The good news is that ringworm generally doesn't last very long and you should be able to get rid of it within about four weeks [source: National Library of Medicine]. However, just because you've had ringworm once doesn't mean you are immune. Being exposed to ringworm again can cause another infection [source: Virginia Department of Health].

Anyone can get ringworm, even people who are otherwise healthy. Those at the highest risk include children, who are more prone to ringworm of the scalp, and athletes, wrestlers in particular. It won't take long for your ringworm to appear, either. Body ringworm usually shows up within about four to 10 days of exposure and ringworm on the scalp in about 10 to 14 days [source: Directors of Health Promotion and Education].

Ringworm is contagious enough that it can spread from one area of your body to another. For example, if you have athlete's foot, it's recommend that you put your socks on first when you get dressed. Ringworm is so contagious that if you put your underwear on first, you run the risk of spreading the infection in your feet to your groin area [source: MedicineNet].

Since the fungus is so common and widespread, locally and globally, you can't avoid it. But if you do get ringworm, you have several options for treating it. Check out the next page to learn about treatments.

If you do contract ringworm, you have several options for treatment. First, to be certain that the infection is actually ringworm and not something else, you should check with your doctor for a confirmed diagnosis.

Although ringworm can affect different areas of the body, some of the treatments are similar because it's all the same type of fungus. Your treatment options include:

Ringworm of the scalp, (tinea capitis), is treated differently than other types of ringworm. If you think you have tinea capitis, don't hesitate to visit your doctor. You may be prescribed an oral medication, a prescription shampoo and/or an over-the-counter shampoo containing selenium sulfide [source: Cleveland Clinic].

Because ringworm is so common, it makes identifying and treating your condition fairly quick and easy. If you follow your treatment plan, you're likely to banish this itchy fungus and keep it from worming its way back into your life. For more information, follow the links on the next page.