Ringworm is a common skin infection.
Although many people think that ringworm is caused by worm, it's actually not.
They are caused by fungi that affect the top layer of your skin.
The spread of ringworm can be contagious.
It can be transferred from people to people, and animal to people.
Inanimate objects can also contribute to the spread of ringworm.
These are objects that might have been contacted by ringworm-infected individual.
Some of the possible contaminated objects are combs, towels, socks, undergarments, and hats.
The signs and symptoms of ringworm can be seen ten to fourteen days after the exposure from the fungi.
So if you have been exposed to fungi, it is possible that you are contributing to the ringworm spread unconsciously.
The classic sign of ringworm is a skin rash that is typically round in shape.
These rashes may appear to have slightly red edges.
They can be also crusty sometimes.
The center is usually a normal-looking skin.
The rashes are extremely itchy.
These rashes look like a ring on your skin, hence called ringworm.
Ringworm can spread all over your body.
And the characteristics of it depend on where the infection is located.
It can be spread on your head and face.
Your face, head and beard can be infected by ringworm.
Ringworm of the scalp (tinea capitis) is seen as spots on the head.
These spots also have red edges.
Hair loss is sometimes accompanied with this infection.
Ringworm on the face (tinea faciei) and beard (tinea barbae), also manifests the classic signs of ringworm.
Ringworm on the bearded area, however, can cause the hair to break-off easily.
Children are commonly affected by tinea capitis; and adults adolescents can be infected by tinea faciei and tinea barbae.
Tinea barbae is commonly called as the barber's itch.
It can be spread on your body.
The most common ringworm infection is on your body.
Tinea corporis,or ringworm of the body, can affect your chest, abdomen, and your back.
The fungal infection on this area is characterized by the classic signs of ringworm.
Additionally, your jock's itch is also a type of ringworm.
Ringworm on the groin area (tinea cruris) presents different signs and symptoms.
The rashes on this area are reddish to brown in color.
The ringworm here appears to be shiny and scaly; they are mainly seen on the skin folds.
The infection can grow up to the thighs, if left untreated.
It can be spread on your hands, feet, and nails.
The ringworm infection on thee parts do not present the classic signs of ringworm.
Ringworm of the hands (tinea manuum) is located at the spaces between your fingers.
It appears to be thick and scaly skin that is very itchy.
The symptoms are the same with the ringworm of the feet (tinea pedis).
The difference is that the infection can spread to the soles of your feet.
It is also known as athlete's foot.
Your nails can be infected also.
Ringworm of the nails (tinea unguium) has really different symptoms.
It usually causes your nails to be colored yellow.
It also makes your nails very thick.
And when the infection is really severe, your nails can be detached to your nail bed without any pain.
Ringworm can be easily treated.
Man doctors just prescribed topical anti-fungal creams for the infection.
If the condition is severe, anti-fungal and antibiotic medications are prescribed.
They are taken orally.
But the most important thing that you have to remember when in ringworm treatment is to continue the medications prescribed even after the symptoms are gone.
This is to make sure that the ringworm will never come back.