Ringworm is the most common form of fungal infection in the world. It is an extremely contagious skin infection. There was not even any documentation of this until the 1920 's. It is theorized that American soldiers brought it to the United States after World War I from Europe.
When you hear the term Ringworm, you might think that an actual worm is involved with the infection, but this is not the case. Ringworm is a fungal infection that sometimes leaves a circle-like appearance. Ringworm can look scaly and it is itchy and moist. There can be patches with reddish, sharply defined edges. If it occurs in the scalp, it can create bald patches. It can also infect nails, causing discoloration, abnormal thickness, or a crumbly texture. In some cases, there can be lesions with a circular shape with a blister or bump in the center filled with contagious fluid. Or the middle can also be pale – this happens when the fungus is done with the area.
Ringworm is transmitted by touch – either by touching someone infected with the fungus or by any other vector or fomite. For example, you could contract it from a brush, the floor, or many
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The names of different ringworm cases depend on where it is located on the body. The fungus can appear on the body, a beard, feet, groin area, or scalp. The word tinea is used before each term. Tinea simply means a fungal infection of the skin, hair, or nails. Tinea capitis is a fungal infection of the scalp. This can cause hair loss. Tinea corporis is the "body ringworm" that develops on the trunk of the body. Tinea cruis is calso called "jock itch" and is located in the groin area. It is much more common in males than in females. Tinea pedis is "athlete 's foot" and it usually starts between the third and fourth digits. Tinea manuum is a fungal infection on the hand. It happens usually when the person scratches an infected area on their skin and they transmit it to the hand. Onychomycosis is when the fungus attacks the skin under the