Ringworm is caused by infection with dermatophyte fungi, which grow in keratin-rich areas of the skin such as the epidermis, hair, and nails. It spreads easily through direct contact with an infected person, sharing personal items, exposure to contaminated soil, or from infected pets such as dogs and cats.

What causes ringworm?

 

Ringworm is caused by infection with dermatophyte fungi, which grow in keratinized areas of the body such as the epidermis, hair, and nails. It spreads easily through direct contact with someone who has ringworm, sharing personal items, contact with fungi in soil, or transmission from infected pets such as dogs and cats.

 

What are the symptoms of ringworm?

Ringworm can affect almost any part of the body—general skin areas and moist regions such as the groin, armpits, and under the breasts—as well as the scalp and nails. The rash looks different depending on the site.

 

• Tinea capitis (scalp ringworm): patchy hair loss over lesions, brittle hair that breaks easily, circular lesions with well-defined borders, scalp scaling and crusting, dandruff, itchy scalp; cervical lymph nodes may enlarge.
• Tinea corporis (body ringworm): commonly on the trunk, arms, and legs. Starts as red papules that expand into rings with clear borders; the edges are slightly raised and red, often with tiny vesicles or whitish scales around the ring. Rings may enlarge and merge; usually mildly itchy.
• Tinea faciei (facial ringworm): ring-shaped plaques with raised red borders similar to body ringworm; whitish scaling may appear in the center.
• Tinea pedis (athlete’s foot): common in people with moist, water-exposed feet. The skin between the toes becomes red and macerated with white scales, then peels; serous ooze, odor, and heel fissures may occur, usually with itch.
• Tinea manuum (hand ringworm): typically affects one hand; lesions resemble those of athlete’s foot. In severe cases the skin may become macerated, red, and eroded.
• Tinea unguium (onychomycosis): affects fingernails or toenails. Nails become dull and rough, brittle and easily broken, misshapen, and discolored (whitish, yellow, or brown). The nail plate may separate from the nail bed.
• Tinea cruris (jock itch): begins as red papules on the upper thigh or groin, then forms red scaly rings with sharp borders that spread to the inner thigh, genitals, or buttocks; usually itchy and often bilateral.

 

How is ringworm treated?

1. Topical therapy: for tinea corporis, cruris, manuum, and pedis. Options include Whitfield’s ointment or topical antifungal creams such as ketoconazole, clotrimazole, or miconazole. Apply to the lesions 2–3 times daily for 2–8 weeks to reduce recurrences.
2. Oral antifungals: e.g., itraconazole, griseofulvin, or terbinafine for recurrent or chronic cases, extensive disease, tinea capitis, and nail involvement. Courses may last weeks to several months depending on severity and site.

 

How can ringworm be prevented?

• Avoid direct contact with infected individuals and do not share personal items.
• Maintain good hygiene: bathe thoroughly and dry the body well.
• Avoid thick or damp clothing; do not wear wet or non-breathable socks and shoes.
• Limit heat and humidity; keep body areas dry to prevent moisture buildup.
• Wash hands frequently and keep fingernails and toenails trimmed.
• Wear footwear in bathrooms and public places.
• Regularly clean bathrooms, sinks, and shared equipment.