Ringworm is a contagious fungal infection that isn’t caused by a worm, despite the name. The condition gets its name from tell-tale skin rashes that have a ring-shaped pattern with a raised border like a worm. Also, known as tinea, this common infection comes in many forms and may affect the scalp, skin, and nails. While ringworm usually affects the limbs and abdomen, it can also occur around the groin and buttocks (commonly called jock itch or tinea cruris), the beard (tinea barbae), the feet (tinea pedia or athlete’s foot), and other areas.
Ringworm is very contagious and may be caught through direct skin contact, touching an infected animal, and touching a surface or object with the fungi. Children are more likely to get tinea, but it can happen at any age. Allowing the skin to stay wet can increase the risk of ringworm, especially in athletes who sweat a lot. Open wounds, even tiny ones, can also lead to an infection after contact with the fungi.
The good news is this fungal infection is easy to treat with over-the-counter medications. Watch for the following signs that you have a ringworm infection.
1. Hair Loss
Hair loss is common in areas affected by ringworm, especially in children. Sometimes hair in the center of a red circular rash seems bent or broken at the shaft. This is most commonly seen in male beards and ringworm of the scalp. Tinea capitis, or infection of the scalp, is most likely to lead to loss of hair and it’s the most common type of ringworm in school-age children between 3 and 7. It’s less often found in teenagers and adults. Ringworm fungi can infect the hair itself. This will initially lead to dry scaling of the scalp like dandruff.
Loss of hair may be first apparent as dots of hair that have broken off at the scalp, but eventually a smooth spot will be left when the hair falls off. This is because the fungus can enter hair fibers and cause hair to become brittle and break. Some people develop multiple patches of hair loss. It’s believed that tinea is responsible for up to 50% of childhood hair loss. An oral medication and medicated shampoo are usually prescribed to treat the infection and help the hair grow back. In most cases, hair will grow back normally once the infection is treated. Unfortunately, these infections can lead to scarring and permanent hair loss in adults and children.
2. Itchy Scalp
The most common sign of tinea capitis or ringworm of the scalp is itchy, bald patches. Most people develop one or more patches of itchy, scaly skin where hair has broken off at the scalp. These itchy scalp patches can slowly enlarge over time and may become tender or even painful. Medicated shampoo can help treat the itchiness and stop the spread of the fungus, but an oral medication will still be necessary to kill the fungus. Other home remedies may also help with the itchiness while the anti-fungal treatment is working. These include turmeric oil, soothing aloe vera — which has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties — and tea tree oil.
3. Skin Darkening
Some fungal infections can cause a discoloration or the skin that may not come with other signs of an infection. Tinea versicolor is the name for this infection that causes skin darkening and patches on the skin. While many people notice a darkening of the skin, a fungal infection can also cause the skin to lighten. These patches may be white, brown, pink, red, or a slightly lighter or darker shade than surrounding skin. Most cases of ringworm skin discoloration occur around the groin, neck, arms, hands, and feet. When the discoloration is the result of jock itch, the skin of the inner thighs and groin may develop dark or bluish-black blotches.
4. Fissures
When ringworm is not treated or the infection is very severe, the skin can develop blisters and severe scaly rashes that crack and develop fissures. These cracks in the skin can be very painful and may become infected with bacteria, which can require antibiotics to treat. There are other less common situations that can lead to painful fissures. The skin can break down and crack in fissures with fungal infections among overweight people. In these cases, fissures usually occur in moist skin folds. In less common cases, infection of the hands or feet can cause cracks between the toes or fingers.
5. Peeling
Peeling of the skin is one of the less common symptoms of tinea. This symptom usually occurs when an inflamed or scaly rash begins to heal, usually after three to four weeks without treatment. Infection in certain areas of the body is more likely to result in peeling. Tinea manuum, or infection of the hands, is an uncommon type of ringworm infection that usually causes peeling and dryness of the palms as well as a blistered rash with sticky fluid. Infection of the scalp also commonly results in dry, peeling skin. This can resemble dandruff and usually comes with loss of hair.
6. Red Rashes
The first symptom most people notice is pink or red rashes or spots. At first, these spots may be flat or only slightly raised and they may still be moist. It usually doesn’t take long before the spots become dry and scaly. The rashes will also grow larger with time and the very center of the rash will clear up. This leaves a ring-shaped rash that may have a raised border. It’s important to avoid touching or scratching the rashes as much as possible. You can accidentally spread the infection from one area of your body to another. Scratching the rash can also cause a bacterial infection.
7. Scaly Patches
While circular red rashes are common with ringworm on the body, scaly patches are more common when the infection spreads to the groin or feet. Scaly patches that may fill with pus and spread rapidly are also a sign of acute tinea. These scaly patches can develop on any area of the body, including the hands, feet, groin, body, and scalp. In severe cases, the patches blister and ooze pus or a clear, sticky fluid.
The scaly patches of ringworm can resemble psoriasis and lead to misdiagnosis initially, especially if few other symptoms are obvious. There are a few differences between the two conditions, however. Scaly areas associated with a fungal infection do not always itch and they usually have a raised border. The scaly areas also tend to expand to form a circle that may have a clear center.
8. Itchy Bumps
As the fungal infection spreads, the red rash will likely develop itchy bumps. This is most common in certain areas, such as the arms or groin. Ringworm rashes also get itchy when they are healing. Inflammatory ringworm infections are most likely to cause tiny abscesses or pustules that may itch.
Home remedies can be effective at treating the itchiness while the infection is clearing. Aloe vera, apple cider vinegar, or tea tree oil applied a few times a day can soothe the skin and reduce itchiness. Over-the-counter clotrimazole cream can also reduce this annoying symptom.
