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. The doctor will assess whether the skin problem is being caused by some other disorder, such as psoriasis.
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. Wear waterproof shoes in locker rooms, public or shared showers, and pool areas. Disinfect or throw out clothes and items that may be infected with ringworm, or that you wore while you had ringworm.
Wash towels and bedding that you use while you have ringworm in hot, soapy water. American Academy of Dermatology The AAD is the largest dermatological association, with a membership of more than 20, physicians worldwide.
Mayo Clinic Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization that performs clinical practice, education, and research.
Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking. About Ringworm. April 9, Symptoms of Ringworm Infections. December 6, Ringworm: Signs and Symptoms. Ringworm Body : Symptoms and Diagnosis.
September 13, Ringworm of the Body. February 7, Healthy Pets Healthy People: Ringworm. Ringworm occurs when a type of fungus grows and multiplies on your skin. Ringworm can spread from one person to another. You can catch ringworm if you touch someone who has the infection, or if you come in contact with items contaminated by the fungus, such as combs, unwashed clothing, and shower or pool surfaces.
You can also catch ringworm from pets. Cats are common carriers. The fungus that causes ringworm thrives in warm, moist areas. Fungal scalp infections tinea capitis are most common in children who have not reached puberty, particularly African-Caribbean children and those who live in urban areas.
Most ringworm infections are mild and can be treated using a pharmacy antifungal cream. Scalp infections can be treated with antifungal tablets, sometimes combined with antifungal shampoo. If the skin is irritated or broken, it can lead to other bacterial infections, which may need treatment with antibiotics. Read more about how to treat fungal infections. It's important to prevent the infection spreading. You should avoid sharing towels, bedding or clothes with someone with a fungal infection.
If you think your pet has ringworm, take it to the vet. If your child has a fungal infection, they can go to school, but you should inform their teacher. In addition to treatment, your child should maintain a good level of personal hygiene to prevent the infection spreading.
Read more about how to stop the spread of fungal infections. The ring spreads outwards as it progresses. You can have one patch or several patches of ringworm, and in more serious cases, your skin may become raised and blistered.
Ringworm on the face and neck may not appear ring-shaped, but may be itchy and swollen, and it can become dry and crusted. If you have a beard, you may notice patches of hair breaking away. Ringworm on the hand often causes the skin to become thicker on the palm and in between the fingers. It may affect one hand or both and normally only appears on one side.
In very severe cases, a large inflamed sore called a kerion may form on your scalp. This can ooze pus, and you may also have a fever and swollen lymph glands. In more severe cases, you may have:. Exercising, walking and wearing tight clothing or underwear can make the symptoms of a groin infection worse. Read more about fungal nail infection.
Read more about how fungal infections are diagnosed. Tinea fungal infections are caused by a particular type of fungi, called dermatophytes, which live off keratin.
Keratin is a tough, waterproof tissue found in many parts of your body, including your skin, hair and nails.
This explains why fungal infections mostly affect your skin, scalp or nails. The fungi are tiny spores tough enough to survive for months on your skin, in soil or on household objects, such as combs or towels. They thrive in heat and moisture, which helps them to grow and explains why they are often spread in swimming pool changing rooms and communal showers. The spores can be spread in four different ways:. As an adult, you can become a carrier of a scalp infection without developing any symptoms.
This is because your body has usually developed a defence against the infection by the time you reach adulthood. Ringworm and other tinea fungal infections are usually easy to diagnose from their appearance and location.
Your GP will usually be able to diagnose a scalp infection after examining your scalp. Knowing exactly which fungus is causing the infection is useful, because some antifungal medications are better at treating certain types. Your GP will take a small scraping of skin from your scalp to test in a laboratory. You may be given an antifungal medication before you receive your test results. If the tests show that a different antifungal medication would work better, you will be prescribed that instead.
Most fungal infections can be diagnosed by your GP after examining your skin and asking whether you have other related symptoms. Further tests will usually only be needed if your symptoms are severe or if they fail to respond to antifungal treatment.
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