What is Ringworm (Tinea) - Health Conditions

What is Ringworm (Tinea)?
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What is ringworm (tinea)?

Ringworm (tinea) is a common infection of the skin and scalp, which is caused by a fungal infection. The fungus that causes tinea lives and grows on the skin.

The term "ringworm" comes from the shape of the infection on the skin, which usually has the shape of a circle or ring.

Ringworm (tinea) infection can be transmitted from person to person, through the following ways:

Having direct contact with the infected person's rash
Sharing clothes with an infected person
Sharing sports equipment with an infected person
Sharing towels with an infected person
Touching anything an infected person has touched

Ringworm (Tinea) can also be transmitted from animal to humans, through direct contact with the open lesion on the animal. Both domestic animals and livestock can be infected with ringworm.

The different types of ringworm (or tinea) are:

Tinea barbae - the beard in men is infected
Tinea capitis - the scalp is infected (occurs regularly in children)
Tinea corporis - various areas on the are infected
Tinea cruris - "jock itch" where the groin is infected
Tinea faciei - the face is infected (but not the beard)
Tinea manus - the hands, especially the palms and spaces between the fingers are infected
Tinea pedis - or "athlete's foot" where the area between the toes and /or the heels, are infected
Tinea unguium - the fingernails and toenails are infected

Facts about ringworm

Ringworm (tinea) is highly contagious, especially if contact is made with an open sore of an infected person
People with lowered immunity are more susceptible to disease such as ringworm

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Last reviewed: 30 September 2007 || Last updated: 10 February 2009

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Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.

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