Ringworm is what type of disease

However, they may still be a carrier. The following risk factors either increase the chances of developing ringworm or make the symptoms worse:. On the body, patches grow slowly in size, and more patches can appear on other parts of the body. The center of the patch may clear, leaving a ring. If there are several rings, they may merge. Athletes foot tends to start between the toes before spreading to the bottom or sides of the feet, or both.

The skin between the toes can then turn white and become soft. On the nails, ringworm starts with a thickening of the skin under the nail, followed by a thickening and discoloration of the nails.

Over time, the nails will lift, crumble, and disappear. In the groin, the first sign is usually an itchy rash in the crease where the leg meets the body. This can spread to the groin, the inner thigh, the waist, and the buttocks. A doctor can normally diagnose ringworm or a groin infection after examining the affected area and asking the patient about their medical history and symptoms. They may take a small scraping of the skin, which will not hurt, and examine it under a microscope to look for characteristics of fungi.

The doctor will assess whether the skin problem is being caused by some other disorder, such as psoriasis. Further testing is not usually needed unless symptoms are particularly severe. If symptoms have not improved after treatment, the doctor may remove a small piece of infected skin and send it to the lab to be analyzed.

It may affect the scalp, feet, nails, groin, beard, or other areas. With a skin infection , you may experience the following:. This is called dermatophytic onychomycosis, or tinea unguium. If your scalp is affected, the hair around it may break or fall off, and bald patches may develop.

The medical term for this is tinea capitis. Find out more about scalp ringworm and its effects. Three different types of fungi can cause ringworm: Trichophyton , Microsporum , and Epidermophyton. Humans and animals can contract ringworm after direct contact with this soil.

The infection can also spread through contact with infected animals or humans. The infection is commonly spread among children and by sharing items harboring the fungus. Different types of fungi cause ringworm. Doctors call ringworm different names depending on where it affects the body:. Your doctor will diagnose ringworm by examining your skin and possibly using a black light to view your skin in the affected area.

Depending on the type of fungus, it may sometimes fluoresce glow under black light. Your doctor may prescribe various medications depending on the severity of your ringworm infection. Ringworm of the scalp or nails may require prescription-strength oral medications such as griseofulvin Gris-PEG or terbinafine. Over-the-counter OTC medications and antifungal skin creams may be recommended for use as well. These products may contain clotrimazole, miconazole, terbinafine, or other related ingredients.

Find antifungal treatments online. In addition to prescription and OTC medication, your doctor may recommend that you care for your infection at home by:. Take an in-depth look at ringworm treatments here. People have used home remedies for ringworm for many years before researchers invented antifungal treatments. Support for use of these remedies is mostly anecdotal. There is no scientific data to support their use over OTC antifungals.

Some people apply apple cider vinegar-soaked cotton balls over affected areas of skin three times a day to treat ringworm. If you want to try this remedy, apply coconut oil one to three times a day. Turmeric is a spice you can mix with water to make an antifungal paste. Apply the paste directly to your skin and allow it to dry. Instead, discuss any you might like to try alongside proven treatments with your doctor.

Learn more about home remedies for ringworm, including powdered licorice. It can take up to 2 weeks before you start noticing symptoms. Some of the stages you may see include:. Anyone can develop ringworm.

However, the infection is very common among children and people who own cats or dogs. The lesions of ringworm are unique, and usually allow for a diagnosis simply on physical exam. In addition, your healthcare provider may order a culture or skin scraping of the lesion to confirm the diagnosis. Specific treatment will be discussed with you by your healthcare provider based on:. Treatment for scalp ringworm tinea capitis or nail infection tinea unguium is hardest to treat and usually includes an oral antifungal medicine for many weeks.

Some people need longer treatment. Treatment for scalp ringworm may also involve the use of a special shampoo, to help eliminate the fungus. If a kerion is present a large, tender, swollen lesion or you have developed a secondary abscess or bacterial infection, your healthcare provider may order additional medicines, such as steroids, to help reduce the swelling.

Treatment for ringworm of the body, groin, and foot is usually a topical antifungal agent or an oral antifungal medicine. The length of the treatment depends on the location of the ringworm. Because the fungi can live indefinitely on the skin, recurrences of ringworm are likely.

Treatment may need to be repeated. If you have ringworm symptoms, see your healthcare provider for treatment recommendations. It is important to note that common home remedies do not effectively treat this condition. Health Home Conditions and Diseases. There is an increased risk of contracting ringworm and other tinea infections if a person: Is malnourished Has poor hygiene Lives in a warm climate Has contact with other people or pets that have ringworm Is immunocompromised by disease or medicine Plays contact sports, such as wrestling Uses communal baths or locker rooms What are the most common types of tinea infections?

Ferri FF. Tinea corporis. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor Accessed Aug. Office of Patient Education. Fungal infection: Ringworm of the body. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; Goldstein AO, et al. Dermatophyte tinea infections. Superficial fungal infection. Ringworm risk and prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.