Ringworm is a fungal infection of the skin.
So is athletes foot.
So is jock itch.
These ailments are all essentially the same thing in different placesand there are others, too.
These infections can also spread from one place on your body to another.
Athletes foot looks like peeling, scaly skin on the feet, usually between the toes.
The sensation is usually described as stinging, burning, or itching.
Jock itch
Jock itch is basically athletes foot of the groin.
It can occur in or around the genitals, inner thighs, and, sorry, your butt crack.
If youre sitting around in tight-fitting, sweaty clothes, youre creating the perfect environment for it to fester.
The rash itself usually looks like a reddened, painful, or itchy area in a fold of skin.
It may have a raised border, and it may be ring-shaped or appear as several ring-shaped patches.
Like athletes foot, this is usually treatable with an over-the-counter antifungal cream.
But it can also occur on any area of skin.
Itsnota worm, OK?
Its still a fungal infection like the other variations we discussed.
Ringworm of the scalp
Now were getting into the more serious stuff.
Ringworm of the scalpisntusually curable with an over-the-counter lotion.
Like other types of ringworm, the rash can become larger over time.
If you treat the ringworm early, the hair will usually grow back after treatment.
A long-term infection may cause permanent damage to the hair follicles.
Treatment for scalp ringworm tends to be two-pronged.
First, youll probably be prescribed an antifungal medication to take by mouthfor one to three months.
Thats because the fungus can live inside hair follicles, where topical treatments cant reach it.
Youll also probably be advised to use an antifungal shampoo for good measure.
This helps to reduce the chances of spreading the fungus.
If you live with other people, everybody in the household should use the shampoo.
In these cases, the nail tends to be thickened and yellow.
