If you’ve heard of athlete’s foot or jock itch, then you’ve heard of tinea – a skin infection that can affect almost any part of the body. It’s also known by the name “ringworm”, which you might have heard from your veterinarian if you’ve ever had to take your dog in for a skin issue.
But what exactly is ringworm, and where does it come from?
Not really a worm
The name ringworm is a bit misleading. It’s actually a disease caused by fungi, distant cousins of bread mold and mushrooms. The “ring” part comes from the appearance of ring-shaped rashes that come with an infection.
Ringworm (a.k.a. tinea) is the name of the disease itself, and it’s caused by many different species of fungi, most of which affect a specific part of the body. Athlete’s foot, for example, is medically known as tinea pedis – “ringworm of the foot”. Compare this to an infection in the scalp, tinea capitis – “ringworm of the head”.
Head and shoulders, knees and toes
The list of tinea subtypes goes on and on, since these fungal infections can settle in pretty much every part of body. However, there are a few areas that are particularly common:
Feet. Fungi are at their best in warm, moist environments, so sweaty post-workout feet are prime real estate.
Groin. Seen predominantly in men, and in climates that are hot and humid.
Scalp. This one happens more frequently in children, and is somewhat rare in adults.
Nails, especially toenails. A nail infection can come hand in hand (or foot in foot) with untreated athlete’s foot.
Arms and legs. This is where the ring-shaped rashes are most obvious.
Regardless of which body part is affected, the symptoms of an infection tend to be similar:
Itchy and/or scaly skin
Burning, ring-like rashes
Blisters
Hair loss
A fungus among us
Tinea is very contagious, and can be spread in multiple ways:
Shared spaces such as locker rooms, pools, or communal showers.
Infected clothes or towels. This can also transmit the fungus between parts of your own body – for example, if you dry your feet with a towel and then use the same one for your head or groin.
Direct contact with an infected person.
Pets. If your vet suspects ringworm on Fluffy, it might be a good idea to see your own doctor as well, especially if you have any suspicious symptoms.
Treating the itch
Tinea can be hard to treat – fungi are hardy little things, and they can live for a long time on the skin and on infected surfaces in the environment. This means that infections can easily return, making it necessary to do multiple treatments in some cases.
Common treatments that your doctor might recommend include:
Oral anti-fungal medication. This is medicine that you take by mouth, and it’s one of the most effective treatments.
Anti-fungal creams. Make sure to apply the cream exactly according to the instructions. You might even have to apply it to the skin around the infection to make sure it doesn’t spread.
Medicated shampoos. This is usually prescribed in addition to an oral treatment.
Avoid over-the-counter creams that contain steroids until you get a diagnosis from your doctor. Steroids weaken the skin’s natural immune system, which can help the fungus spread faster and make symptoms worse.
If you think you might have ringworm, talk to your healthcare provider. This infection is common, but there are other skin diseases that appear very similar – your doctor can help make a plan to diagnose and treat the problem appropriately.
References
Tinea Infections (Ringworm). https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/tinea-infections-ringworm
Treatment of Ringworm and Fungal Nail Infections. https://www.cdc.gov/ringworm/treatment/index.html
Moriarty B, Morris-Jones R. The diagnosis and management of tinea. BMJ 2012; 345 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.e4380