The medical term for ringworm, a group of common fungus infections of the skin, hair, or nails caused by various species of the fungi Microsporum, Trichophyton, and Epidermophyton; it also affects animals. Ringworm is highly contagious and can be spread by direct contact or via infected material; infections may be picked up from other people, animals, soil, or an object (such as a shower stall). The term “tinea” is often followed by the Latin term for the part of the body affected by the fungus, such as “tinea pedis,” or ATHLETE’S FOOT.

Symptoms
Symptoms vary according to the part of the body affected by the infection; the most common area is the foot, causing athlete’s foot, with cracking, itchy skin between the toes. Tinea cruris, or JOCK ITCH, is more common in males, and produces a red, itchy area from the genitals outward over the inside of the thighs; tinea corporis (ringworm of the body) is characterized by itchy circular skin patches with a raised edge. Tinea capitis (ringworm of the scalp) causes round, itchy circles of hair loss found most commonly in children in large cities or overcrowded conditions. Tinea unguium (ringworm of the nails) is characterized by scaling of soles or palms with thick, white, or yellow nails.

Treatment
Antifungal drugs (creams, lotions, or ointments) can successfully treat most types of tinea. For widespread infection (or those affecting hair or nails), the drug is given as a tablet (usually griseofulvin). Treatment should continue after symptoms have faded to ensure that the fungi have been destroyed. Mild infections on the surface of the skin may be treated for four to six weeks; toenail infections may require treatment for up to two years.