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Ringworm – What is Ringworm?

Ringworm (dermatophytosis) is a clinical condition caused by fungal infection of the skin in humans, pets such as cats, and domesticated animals such as sheep and cattle. It is caused by fungi of several different species. The fungi that cause parasitic infection (dermatophytes) feed on keratin, the material found in the outer layer of skin, hair, and nails. These fungi thrive on skin that is warm and moist, but may also survive directly on the outsides of hair shafts, or in their interiors. In pets, the fungi responsible for the disease survive in skin and on the outer surface of hairs.

This condition has been prevalent since before 1906, at which time ringworm was treated with compounds of mercury, or sometimes sulfur or iodine. Hairy areas of skin were considered too difficult to treat, so the scalp was treated with x-rays and followed up with antiparasitic medication.

It has been estimated that in current times, up to twenty percent of the population is infected by ringworm or one of the other dermatophytoses. It is especially common among people who play sports, wrestling in particular. Wrestlers with ringworm may be disqualified.

Misdiagnosis and treatment of ringworm with a topical steroid, a standard treatment of the superficially similar pityriasis rosea, can result in tinea incognito, a condition where ringworm fungus will grow without typical features like a distinctive raised border.