Ringworm

Ringworm is not a worm, it is a skin infection caused by a fungus.   It is a rash that is most often round (ring-shaped) or oval with a raised edge.  There are several different kinds of ringworm: beard and scalp, body, foot (Athletes Foot), nails or the groin (Jock itch). 

Symptoms of ringworm can be different depending on the part of the body that is infected.

• Ringworm of the beard and scalp usually begins as small pimples that become larger, forming yellowish crusty areas.  These areas turn into scaly patches of temporary loss of hair.    
• Ringworm of the body/groin causes flat, round reddish patches.  As these round patchy areas grow larger, they make rings. 
• Ringworm of the foot, or “Athlete’s foot”, looks like scales or cracks on the skin and/or watery blisters, especially between the toes.  It is sometimes itchy.
• Ringworm of the nails causes the nails to slowly become thick, discoloured, brittle and can look chalky or whitish

How is it spread?
 

Ringworm is usually spread by close, skin-to-skin touch with an infected person or pet or by touching objects that infected people/pets have touched.

Ringworm can be treated with fungus-killing medicine.  This medicine can be taken in tablet or liquid form by mouth or as a cream/ointment applied directly to the infection.  It is difficult to prevent the spread of ringworm but it helps to avoid the following:

• Avoid close contact with others until infection has been treated.
• Complete treatment as instructed by a doctor, even if symptoms have disappeared.
• Do not share clothing/hats, towels, hairbrushes, or other personal items with others.
• Make sure the person and/or animal that was the source of infection gets treated.
• Children should be excluded from school until treatment is started. 
• While under treatment, infected children should be excluded from gyms, swimming pools and activities likely to lead to exposure of others.