Ringworm
What is it?
Ringworm is caused by a fungal infection of the skin or hair follicles.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of ringworm often depend on which part of the body is infected, although they generally include the following
- Having itchy skin
- Rash in the shape of a ring
- Red, scaly, cracked skin
- Hair loss
Causes
Ringworm can be contracted by direct skin contact with infected people, animals, or soil. A warm, moist environment is ideal for the growth of the fungus.
After contact with the fungi that cause ringworm, symptoms usually appear between 4 and 14 days later.
Diagnosis
Ringworm is commonly diagnosed based on the lesion's signs, symptoms, and appearance. The symptoms of ringworm may resemble dry skin or dermatitis in some cases. To help confirm the diagnosis, a skin scraping may be taken from the affected area for laboratory testing.