Ringworm

Dermatophytosis; Dermatophyte fungal infection - tinea; Tinea

Ringworm is a skin infection due to a fungus. Often, there are several patches of ringworm on the skin at once. The medical name for ringworm is tinea.

Causes

Ringworm is common, especially among children. But, it can affect people of all ages. It is caused by a fungus, not a worm like the name suggests.

Many bacteria, fungi, and yeast live on your body. Some of these are useful, while others can cause infections. 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. Ringworm is more likely when you are often wet (such as from sweating) and from minor injuries to your skin, scalp, or nails.

Ringworm can affect the skin on your:

Beard, tinea barbae
Tinea barbae
Folliculitis is inflammation of one or more hair follicles. It can occur anywhere on the skin.
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Body, tinea corporis
Tinea corporis
Ringworm is a skin infection that is caused by fungi. It is also called tinea. Related skin fungus infections may appear:On the scalpIn a man's bear...
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Feet, tinea pedis (also called athlete's foot)
Tinea pedis
Athlete's foot is an infection of the feet caused by fungus. The medical term is tinea pedis or ringworm of the foot.
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Groin area, tinea cruris (also called jock itch)
Tinea cruris
Jock itch is an infection of the groin area caused by a fungus. The medical term is tinea cruris or ringworm of the groin.
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Scalp, tinea capitis
Tinea capitis
Ringworm of the scalp is a fungal infection that affects the scalp. It is also called tinea capitis. Related ringworm infections may be found:In a m...
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Open References

References

Elewski BE, Hughey LC, Hunt KM, Hay RJ. Fungal diseases. In: Bolognia JL, Schaffer JV, Cerroni L, eds. Dermatology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 77.

Hay RJ. Dermatophytosis (ringworm) and other superficial mycoses. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 266.

Dermatitis - reaction to tinea - illustration
This picture shows a skin inflammation of the fingers with multiple blisters (vesicles) caused by an allergic reaction to a fungal infection (tinea corporis). (Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)
Dermatitis - reaction to tinea
illustration
Ringworm - tinea corporis on an infant's leg - illustration
This child's leg shows a classical-appearing ringworm lesion with central clearing and a slightly raised red border.
Ringworm - tinea corporis on an infant's leg
illustration
Ringworm, tinea capitis - close-up - illustration
In the scalp, fungal infections often form circular, scaly, inflamed patches. Frequently, there can be temporary hair loss (hair returns when infection clears but if treatment is delayed and scarring results, permanent hair loss can be seen). This is a classical example of ringworm (tinea capitis) in a young child.
Ringworm, tinea capitis - close-up
illustration
Ringworm - tinea on the hand and leg - illustration
This is a picture of ringworm (tinea) on the hand and leg. Tinea is a fungal infection of the skin. Ringworm is not seen as frequently in adults as in children, but when conditions are conducive to growth, the fungus can flourish.
Ringworm - tinea on the hand and leg
illustration
Ringworm - tinea manuum on the finger - illustration
This is a picture of ringworm, tinea manum, on the finger. This fungal infection is inflamed and scaly.
Ringworm - tinea manuum on the finger
illustration
Ringworm - tinea corporis on the leg - illustration
Ringworm is a fungal infection of the skin. It usually produces a ring-shaped lesion which appears to clear in the center. The edges of the lesion may be slightly raised and often itch. Central clearing can be seen in some of the infected areas on the leg of this person.
Ringworm - tinea corporis on the leg
illustration
Tinea (ringworm) - illustration
Ringworm is a common skin disorder, especially among children, but may occur in people of all ages. It is caused by mold-like fungi (dermatophytes).
Tinea (ringworm)
illustration

Dermatitis - reaction to tinea - illustration
This picture shows a skin inflammation of the fingers with multiple blisters (vesicles) caused by an allergic reaction to a fungal infection (tinea corporis). (Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)
Dermatitis - reaction to tinea
illustration
Ringworm - tinea corporis on an infant's leg - illustration
This child's leg shows a classical-appearing ringworm lesion with central clearing and a slightly raised red border.
Ringworm - tinea corporis on an infant's leg
illustration
Ringworm, tinea capitis - close-up - illustration
In the scalp, fungal infections often form circular, scaly, inflamed patches. Frequently, there can be temporary hair loss (hair returns when infection clears but if treatment is delayed and scarring results, permanent hair loss can be seen). This is a classical example of ringworm (tinea capitis) in a young child.
Ringworm, tinea capitis - close-up
illustration
Ringworm - tinea on the hand and leg - illustration
This is a picture of ringworm (tinea) on the hand and leg. Tinea is a fungal infection of the skin. Ringworm is not seen as frequently in adults as in children, but when conditions are conducive to growth, the fungus can flourish.
Ringworm - tinea on the hand and leg
illustration
Ringworm - tinea manuum on the finger - illustration
This is a picture of ringworm, tinea manum, on the finger. This fungal infection is inflamed and scaly.
Ringworm - tinea manuum on the finger
illustration
Ringworm - tinea corporis on the leg - illustration
Ringworm is a fungal infection of the skin. It usually produces a ring-shaped lesion which appears to clear in the center. The edges of the lesion may be slightly raised and often itch. Central clearing can be seen in some of the infected areas on the leg of this person.
Ringworm - tinea corporis on the leg
illustration
Tinea (ringworm) - illustration
Ringworm is a common skin disorder, especially among children, but may occur in people of all ages. It is caused by mold-like fungi (dermatophytes).
Tinea (ringworm)
illustration

Tests for Ringworm

Review Date: 5/31/2023

Reviewed By: Ramin Fathi, MD, FAAD, Director, Phoenix Surgical Dermatology Group, Phoenix, AZ. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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Health Library

Ringworm

Causes

Tinea barbae

Tinea corporis

Tinea pedis

Tinea cruris

Tinea capitis

References

Dermatitis - reaction to tinea - illustration

Dermatitis - reaction to tinea

Ringworm - tinea corporis on an infant's leg - illustration

Ringworm - tinea corporis on an infant's leg

Ringworm, tinea capitis - close-up - illustration

Ringworm, tinea capitis - close-up

Ringworm - tinea on the hand and leg - illustration

Ringworm - tinea on the hand and leg

Ringworm - tinea manuum on the finger - illustration

Ringworm - tinea manuum on the finger

Ringworm - tinea corporis on the leg - illustration

Ringworm - tinea corporis on the leg

Tinea (ringworm) - illustration

Tinea (ringworm)