Ringworm of the body (tinea corporis) is a
rash caused by a fungal infection. It's usually an itchy, circular rash with
clearer skin in the middle. Ringworm gets its name because of its appearance.
No worm is involved.
Ringworm of the body is related to athlete's
foot (tinea pedis), jock itch (tinea cruris) and ringworm of the scalp (tinea
capitis). Ringworm often spreads by direct skin-to-skin contact with an
infected person or animal.
Mild ringworm often responds to antifungal
medications applied to the skin. For more-severe infections, you may need to
take antifungal pills for several week
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of ringworm may include:
A scaly ring-shaped area, typically on the
buttocks, trunk, arms and legs
Itchiness
A clear or scaly area inside the ring,
perhaps with a scattering of bumps whose color ranges from red on white skin to
reddish, purplish, brown or gray on black and brown skin
Slightly raised, expanding rings
A round, flat patch of itchy skin
Overlapping rings
When to see a doctor
Talk to your doctor if you have a rash that
doesn't begin to improve within two weeks of using an over-the-counter
antifungal product. You may need prescription medication.
Ringworm is a contagious fungal infection
caused by common mold-like parasites that live on the cells in the outer layer
of your skin. It can be spread in the following ways:
Human to human. Ringworm often spreads by
direct, skin-to-skin contact with an infected person.
Animal to human. You can contract ringworm by
touching an animal with ringworm. Ringworm can spread while petting or grooming
dogs or cats. It's also fairly common in cows.
Object to human. It's possible for ringworm
to spread by contact with objects or surfaces that an infected person or animal
has recently touched or rubbed against, such as clothing, towels, bedding and
linens, combs, and brushes.
Soil to human. In rare cases, ringworm can be spread to humans by contact with infected soil. Infection would most likely occur only from prolonged contact with highly infected.
Risk factors
You're at higher risk of ringworm of the body if yoy-=t
Live in a warm climate
Have close contact with an infected person or
animal
Share clothing, bedding or towels with
someone who has a fungal infection
Participate in sports that feature
skin-to-skin contact, such as wrestling
Wear tight or restrictive clothing
Have a weak immune system
Complications
A fungal infection rarely spreads below the
surface of the skin to cause serious illness. But people with weak immune
systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS, may find it difficult to get rid of the
infection.
Prevention
Ringworm is difficult to prevent. The fungus
that causes it is common, and the condition is contagious even before symptoms
appear. Take these steps to reduce your risk of ringworm:
Educate yourself and others. Be
aware of the risk of ringworm from infected people or pets. Tell your children about
ringworm, what to watch for and how to avoid infection.
Keep clean.
Wash your hands often. Keep shared areas clean, especially in schools, child
care centers, gyms and locker rooms. If you participate in contact sports,
shower right after practice or a match and keep your uniform and gear clean.
Stay cool and dry.
Don't wear thick clothing for long periods of time in warm, humid weather.
Avoid excessive sweating.
Avoid infected animals. The
infection often looks like a patch of skin where fur is missing. If you have
pets or other animals, ask your veterinarian to check them for ringworm.
Don't share personal items.
Don't let others use your clothing, towels, hairbrushes, sports gear or other
personal items. And don't borrow such things.
Jan Ricks Jennings, MHA, LFACHE
Senior Consultant
Senior Management Resources LLC
JanJenningsBlog.Blogspot.com
412.913.0636 Cell
724.733.0509 Office’
August 2, 2022
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