by Michelle Badash, MS
En Espaol (Spanish Version) Ringworm is a fungal infection of the skin. Despite its name, it has nothing at all to do with worms. Fungal infection may appear on the skin, nails, hands, feet, or scalp. Both adults and children can be affected, but it occurs most commonly in children. Fungal infection of the feet is sometimes called athletes foot.
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Ringworm is caused by microscopic skin fungi that live on the outer layer of the skin. You can get ringworm from direct skin-to-skin contact with infected people or pets. It is also transmitted by sharing hats and personal hair grooming items (eg, hairbrushes, combs), and through contact with locker room floors, shower stalls, seats, or clothing used by an infected person.
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition. Risk factors for developing ringworm include:
- Contact with surfaces (eg, seat backs, shower stalls), clothing, or personal grooming items used by an infected person
- Skin-to-skin contact with an infected person or pet
- Age: 12 or youngerringworm of the scalp rarely occurs in children after puberty or in adults
- Spending time in nurseries, schools, daycare centers, or locker rooms
When ringworm appears on the skin, it makes circular, reddish patches with raised borders. Eventually, the patches grow larger, and the centers of the patches turn clear, giving a ring-like appearance.
Symptoms of ringworm on other parts of the body vary, for example: Scalp, tinea capitisbegins with small bumps on the head that grow larger and form a circular patternHair may become brittle and break, forming scaly, hairless patches.Hands, tinea manusaffects the palms and spaces between the fingers Feet, tinea pedis or athlete's footmay cause scaling between the toes, or thickening and scaling on the heels or soles Nails, tinea unguiumcauses fingernails and toenails to become yellow, thick, and crumbly Groin, tinea cruris or jock itchcauses a chafed, reddish, itchy, sometimes painful rash in the groin Body, tinea corporisproduces flat, scaly, round spots on the skinFace, tinea facieiproduces red, scaly patches on the faceRingworm symptoms on the body usually appear 4-10 days after exposure. Scalp symptoms will appear in 10-14 days. DiagnosisThe doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history and examine your skin. Ringworm is often easily diagnosed by appearance. However, symptoms may be similar to other conditions. A sample of the affected area may be taken for testing. TreatmentTreatment may include:
Topical TreatmentThis type of treatment is used for ringworm of the skin or body. It includes antifungal creams and powders. It usually takes at least two weeks for the ringworm to clear. After ringworm clears, treatment is usually continued for at least two more weeks.For ringworm involving the body, hands, or feet, nonprescription treatment is highly effective. The following are some of the available treatments that can cure ringworm:TolnaftateUndecylenic acidMiconazoleTerbinafineTerbinafine is more effective than the other medications. It usually only needs to be used for one week instead of the four weeks indicated above. Terbinafine, however, is more expensive than the alternatives. Oral Treatment This type of treatment is used for ringworm of the nails and scalp. Early treatment for scalp ringworm is important to prevent permanent hair loss. Prescription pills are given for: Scalp ringworm: 4-8 weeks, and occasionally longerNail ringworm: 4-9 months, and occasionally longerIf you developed ringworm from your pet, your pet should be treated as well. Check with your veterinarian for treatment procedures. Prevention The following steps may prevent ringworm: Avoid contact with any infected person, animal, surface, or object.Do not share personal hair grooming items, clothing, or shoes.Wear sandals in locker room areas.Avoid scratching during infection, to prevent ringworm from spreading to other areas.Wear clothing that minimizes sweating and moisture build-up.Wear breathable shoes or sandals.Keep moisture-prone areas of the body clean and dry. RESOURCES:
American Academy of Dermatologyhttp://www.aad.org/ American Academy of Family Physicianshttp://www.aafp.org/ CANADIAN RESOURCES: AboutKidsHealthhttp://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/ Canadian Family Physicianhttp://www.cfpc.ca/cfp/ References: Higgens EM, Fuller LC, Smith CH. Guidelines for the management of tinea capitis. Br J Dermatol. 2000;143:53-58. Tinea capitis. DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.dynamicmedical.com/dynamed.nsf. Accessed October 14, 2005. Tinea infections: athlete's foot, jock itch, and ringworm American Academy of Family Physicians website. Available at: http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/infections/common/fungal/316.html. Created July 1998. Updated May 2007. Accessed June 18, 2008. Last reviewed December 2007 by David L. Horn, MD, FACPPlease be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
