Ringworm
(Tinea)
Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
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Catching Ringworm from Pets
Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
 Ringworm is a common skin disorder otherwise known as
tinea that can affect the skin on the body (tinea corporis), the scalp (tinea capitis), the feet (tinea pedis, or athlete's foot), or the groin (tinea cruris, or "jock itch"). Ringworm is not, as its name suggests, caused by a worm. It is caused by a fungal infection of the skin, and the fungi responsible for the infection are known as dermatophytes.
The fungi that cause ringworm tend to grow in warm, moist areas of the body, such as areas of frequent sweating. Most commonly, ringworm results in itchy, scaly, and reddened skin and bald patches if the scalp or beard areas are involved. The infection is highly contagious and is passed from person to person through direct skin contact or via contact with contaminated items such as toilet articles, clothing, and even by contaminated shower or pool surfaces.
Animals can also be affected by ringworm and may transmit the condition to humans. In this case, ringworm is an example of a zoonotic disease, or a disease transmitted from animals to humans. Cats are the most commonly affected animals. In animals, ringworm causes raised, circular areas that frequently are crusted over and associated with hair loss. However, some infected cats may also carry the fungus without showing any symptoms. On the other hand, infected dogs almost always show the typical skin symptoms of ringworm.
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What does the term "ringworm" mean?
The term "ringworm" or "ringworms" refers to fungal infections that are on the surface of the skin. The early belief was that the infection was due to a worm, which it is not. Ringworm is a fungus infection in the skin. Nevertheless, the name "ringworm" has stuck. Some of these fungi produce round spots on the skin, but many do not. On the other hand, many round spots on the skin are not due to a fungal infection. A physical examination of the affected skin, evaluation of skin scrapings under the microscope, and culture tests can help doctors make the appropriate distinctions. A proper diagnosis is essential to successful treatment.
The medical term for ringworm is tinea. (Tinea is the Latin name for a growing worm.) Doctors add another word to indicate where the fungus is located.
Tinea capitis, for instance, refers to scalp ringworm, tinea corporis to fungus of the body,
tinea pedis to fungus of the feet, and so on.
What causes ringworm?
Although the world is full of yeasts, molds, and fungi, only a few
cause skin problems. These agents are called the dermatophytes,
which means "skin fungi." Skin fungi can only live on the dead layer
of keratin protein on top of the skin. They rarely invade deeper
into the body and cannot live on mucous membranes, such as those in
the mouth or vagina.
What are the sources of skin fungi?
Some fungi live only on human skin, hair, or nails. Others live on animals and only sometimes are found on human skin. Still others live in the soil. It is often difficult or impossible to identify the source of a particular person's skin fungus.
Heat and moisture help fungi grow and thrive, which makes them more commonly found in skin folds such as those in the groin or between the toes. This also accounts for their reputation as being caught from showers, locker rooms, and swimming pools. This reputation is exaggerated, though, since many
people with "jock itch" or "athlete's foot" have not contracted the infection from locker rooms or athletic facilities.
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