Ringworm is not caused by a worm at all but fungi which affect the skin called Dermatophytes. It can affect people or animals and cross-infection is common. That is, animals can affect people and vice versa.
Ringworm Causes
Dermatophytes are mold-like fungi that become parasites on the body. They live on the dead layer of keratin protein on top layer of the skin and rarely invade deeper into the body. As such they are regarded as superficial skin infections and so are not considered dangerous.
Different Dermatophytes affect different parts of the body and cause different types of Ringworm:
1. Ringworm of the bearded area of the face and neck (tinea barbae)
2. Ringworm of the scalp which is more common in children and adolescents (tinea capitis)
3. Ringworm of the body which usually exhibits the classic circular rash (tinea corporis)
4. Tinea of the goin more commonly known as jock itch (tinea cruris)
5. Ringworm on the face, except for the bearded area (tinea faciei)
6. Ringworm on the hands (tinea manus)
7. Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis)
8. Fungal nails turning fingernails and/or toenails yellow and thick (tinea unguium)
Ringworm Symptoms
The most well-known symptom of ringworm is the circular red rash which is indicative of the infection spreading outwards. Other symptoms include rash and dry scaly skin. Ringworm of the scalp and bearded area of the face presents bald patches as the hair becomes brittle and breaks. The rash can be seen through the baldness. Ringworm on the hand can cause a thickening of the fingers and athlete’s foot results in scaling and inflammation between the toes. In the case of fungal nails, the finger and toenails turn yellow, thicken and break easily.
Ringworm Treatment for Humans
Ringworm is not difficult to treat, it just needs persistence. The difficulty with treatment is that the infection spreads easily and has an incubation time of 10 -14 days. So by the time one area is clear, another area may already be infected and so it seems that the condition is difficult to treat. There are anti-fungal creams available as over the counter ringworm treatments or oral medications, which need to be prescribed by a doctor.
As ringworm is contagious, not only contact with infected animals but also anything else the person or animal has come in contact with can result in the condition spreading. For this reason, it is important to thoroughly wash clothes, bedding and even carpets which can harbor the fungus for months or even years.
Marlene de Wilde - Marlene has a BA in journalism and psychology. She teaches English as a Second Language in Crete.
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