Ringworm - Description

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Photo by: TheSupe87

Ringworm gets its name from its appearance, not from the agent that causes it. The characteristic feature of ringworm is patches of rough, reddened skin. The patches often contain circular lesions (pronounced LEE-zhuns), open wounds, that look as if they were caused by tiny worms under the skin.

Over time, the lesions grow outward from their center. The center heals up and becomes hard and crusty. But the outer edges of the lesions become inflamed and spread outwards.

Types of Ringworm

The most common types of ringworm are often named for the part of the body on which they occur.

Body ringworm is also known as tinea corporis (pronounced tin-EE-uh KORE-pur-iss). It can affect any part of the body except the scalp, feet, and facial area where a man's beard grows. These areas are infected with other types of ringworm. Tinea corporis causes well-defined flaky sores. The sores can be dry and scaly or moist and crusty.

Scalp ringworm is called tinea capitis (pronounced tin-EE-uh KAP-ih-tiss). This type of ringworm is seen most commonly in children. It causes scaly, swollen blisters or a rash that looks like black dots. Scalp ringworm sometimes becomes inflamed and filled with pus. These areas can cause crusty, flaky, round bald patches. Scalp ringworm can cause scarring and permanent hair loss.

Ringworm of the groin is also called tinea cruris (pronounced tin-EE-uh KROOR-iss) or "jock itch." It causes raised red sores with well-marked edges. This type of ringworm can spread to the buttocks, inner thighs, and external genitalia.

Ringworm of the nails is also known as tinea unguium (pronounced tin-EE-uh UN-gwee-um). It usually starts at the tip of a toenail. The nail gradually becomes thicker and discolored. It may begin to die off and pull away from the nail bed. Infections of the fingernails are much less common.

Tinea pedis is ringworm of the feet and is more commonly known as athlete's foot (see athlete's foot entry).