Ringworm is a superficial skin infection, also known as tinea. It is caused by fungi call dermatophytes. Fungi are microscopic plants that can live off dead tissues of skin, hair, and nails. It is much like mushrooms and how they are able to grow on dead bark of a tree. Ringworm is characterized by a red ring of small blisters, or a red ring of scaly skin that will grow outward as the infection worsens. Children are most susceptible to catching ringworm, but adults are affected as well. Other forms of tinea that are more common in adults are athlete's foot, and jock itch. Once fungus is established, it spreads out in rings. The center of the ring may clear up, while a new ring of infection develops at the edge of the old ring.
Ringworm is not a worm infestation, but an infection caused by a fungus. Doctors call the infection tinea or dermatophytosis.
Symptoms of ring worm
Symptoms of ringworm of the body include a rash:
On the chest, stomach, arms, legs, or back.
With edges that are red and scaly or moist and crusted. The rash also may have small bumps that look like blisters. The center of the rash may be clear, giving it a ring-shaped appearance, or there may be a cluster of red bumps.
That may form large, round patches.
Tinea faciei: Ringworm on the face except in the area of the beard. On the face, ringworm is rarely ring-shaped. Characteristically, it causes red, scaly patches with indistinct edges.
Tinea manus: Ringworm involving the hands, particularly the palms and the spaces between the fingers. It typically causes thickening (hyperkeratosis) of these areas, often on only one hand. Tinea manus is a common companion of tinea pedis (ringworm of the feet). It is also called tinea manuum.
Itchy, red, raised, scaly patches that may blister and ooze. The patches often have sharply-defined edges. They are often redder around the outside with normal skin tone in the center. This may create the appearance of a ring. Your skin may also appear unusually dark or light.
When your scalp or beard is infected, you will have bald patches.
If nails are infected, they become discolored, thick, and even crumble.
The patches of ringworm on the body are usually round or oval, with raised pink and scaly rings which show a clean space in the centre. The itching in the infected parts helps to spread infection through the nails to other healthy part of the body. If it is not treated for a long time, the infection becomes chronic and is then difficult to get rid of.
Tinea faciei: Ringworm on the face except in the area of the beard. On the face, ringworm is rarely ring-shaped. Characteristically, it causes red, scaly patches with indistinct edges.
Tinea manus: Ringworm involving the hands, particularly the palms and the spaces between the fingers. It typically causes thickening (hyperkeratosis) of these areas, often on only one hand. Tinea manus is a common companion of tinea pedis (ringworm of the feet). It is also called tinea manuum.
