Also called: Tinea Capitis, Tinea Corporis, Onychomycosis

Overview

What Is Ringworm?

Ringworm is not actually a worm, but a type of fungal skin infection. Fungi (the plural of fungus) are microscopic organisms that thrive in damp, warm environments. They're usually not dangerous, but sometimes can cause disease.

When they infect the skin, they cause mild but annoying rashes. Fungal skin infections are also known as tinea infections. Ringworm lesions are usually shaped like a circle with raised, tiny bumps around the edges (often with a scaly center).

When fungus grows in the area of the groin, upper thighs, and buttocks, it is called jock itch. When it grows on the feet, it is called athlete's foot.

But when fungus grows anywhere else on the body, it's known as ringworm. Its medical name is tinea capitis when it's on the scalp, and tinea corporis when it's on the rest of the body. On the nails it is known as onychomycosis.

Top Things to Know

• Ringworm is a common fungal skin infection that can affect the skin, scalp, feet, or groin.
• Kids may have a red, scaly, itchy rash that forms a ring shape, or flaky patches and hair loss on the scalp.
• Treatment includes antifungal medicine. Kids should avoid scratching the area.
• Ringworm is contagious and can spread through shared items or skin contact, so good hygiene is important.

Signs & Symptoms

What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Ringworm?

Ringworm symptoms depend on where the infection is.

On the Skin

This starts as a red, scaly patch or bump. Over time, it may look like one or more rings with raised, bumpy, scaly borders (the center is often clear). This ring pattern gave ringworm its name, but not every infected person has it. The skin may flake, peel, or crack, and it can itch, sting, burn, or feel uncomfortable.

On the Scalp

This may start as a small sore that looks like a pimple before becoming patchy, flaky, or scaly. These flakes may look like dandruff. It can make some hair fall out or break into stubble, leaving a bald spot. It also can make the scalp swollen, tender, and red.

Sometimes, it causes a pus-filled, boggy mass known as a kerion, which can be confused with impetigo or cellulitis (bacterial infections). When the scalp is infected, it can cause swollen lymph nodes at the back of the head or neck.

Ringworm on the Nails

This may affect one or more nails on the hands or feet. The nails may become thick, white or yellowish, and brittle.

When Should I Call the Doctor?

Call your doctor if your child has any signs of ringworm. After starting treatment, you should also call your doctor if the area gets redder, is swollen, or develops pus.

Causes & Prevention

What Causes Ringworm?

Ringworm is caused by fungi that normally live on the skin, hair, and nails called dermatophytes. When the environment they live in gets warm and moist, they grow out of control and start to cause symptoms.

Is Ringworm Contagious?

Yes. Ringworm can spread:

• from one person to another by skin-to-skin contact, especially in warm, damp environments
• to other areas of the body if a person touches the affected area and then touches other body parts, such as the hands
• from animals to people

How Do People Get Ringworm?

Besides spreading from person to person, ringworm can come from pets or other animals (usually cats, dogs, or rodents). It thrives in warm, moist environments such as public showers, locker rooms, or pool areas and can spread when people are in close physical contact. That's why it's common in people who play contact sports such as wrestling. It can also be passed on objects like combs, brushes, hats, towels, or clothing.

Minor skin injuries (such as scratches), too much exposure to heat and humidity, and some health conditions (such as diabetes, obesity, or immune system problems) can make a person more likely to develop ringworm.

Can Ringworm Be Prevented?

Ringworm can't always be prevented. But to avoid it, kids and teens should:

• Keep their skin clean and dry, by washing daily and drying completely, particularly after showering, swimming, and sweaty activities.
• Use clean towels and avoid sharing clothing, towels, combs, brushes, and hats.
• Wash sports gear and uniforms as often as possible and don't share them.
• Avoid tight-fitting clothing and sharing accessories like headphones and hair ties.
• Change clothing every day.
• Wash hands well with soap and water often, especially after playing with pets.
• Treat any other fungal infections, such as athlete's foot, and wear flip flops in shared showers and locker rooms.

Diagnosis

How Is Ringworm Diagnosed?

A doctor can often diagnose ringworm just by looking at it and asking questions about the symptoms and the child's lifestyle. Sometimes the doctor will scrape off a small sample of the flaky infected skin to look at under a microscope or to test in a laboratory.

Treatment & Care

How Is Ringworm Treated?

To treat a mild ringworm infection, using over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal creams, sprays, or powders can help. More serious infections may need prescription medicine, either topical (put on skin) or oral (in pill/syrup form taken by mouth).

Ringworm on the nails or scalp usually is treated with medicine taken by mouth for one to three months. An antifungal shampoo prescribed by the doctor can help prevent the spread to other people.

Your child should use the medicine for as long as recommended, even if the rash seems to be getting better. If not, the infection can come back and spread to other parts of the body.

To help heal the skin, it's important to keep the affected area clean and dry. Your child should:

• Wash and then dry the area with a clean towel. A separate clean towel should be used for the rest of the body.
• Apply the antifungal cream, powder, or spray as directed on the label.
• Change clothing every day.
• Treat any other fungal infections, such as athlete's foot.

How Long Does Ringworm Last?

Most mild cases of ringworm usually clear up in two to four weeks. But treatment might be needed for up to three months if the infection is more serious, or affects the nails or the scalp.

What Else Should I Know?

• Follow the doctor's treatment instructions carefully. Depending on the type and site of the infection, these may include using OTC or prescription cream for the skin, or prescription oral medicine for the scalp.
• Do not put any creams or ointments containing steroids on the area because this can make it worse.
• Discourage your child from picking at the infected area because this could cause another type of infection.