What are the symptoms of ringworm on the body. How is ringworm caused and spread. What are the risk factors for developing ringworm. How is ringworm diagnosed and treated effectively. What precautions can help prevent ringworm infections.

Understanding Tinea Corporis: The Fungal Infection That Causes Ringworm

Ringworm, medically known as tinea corporis, is a common fungal skin infection that can affect various parts of the body. Despite its name, it’s not caused by worms but by dermatophytes, a type of fungus that thrives on the outer layer of skin. The term “ringworm” comes from the characteristic ring-shaped rash that often appears on the skin.

Tinea corporis can occur on multiple areas of the body, including:

• Torso
• Arms
• Legs
• Neck

While ringworm is highly contagious, it’s generally not a serious condition for most people. However, it can be persistent and uncomfortable if left untreated.

Recognizing the Symptoms: How Ringworm Manifests on Your Body

Ringworm symptoms typically begin to appear 4 to 14 days after exposure to the fungus. The most common signs include:

• A ring-shaped rash
• Red, scaly, or cracked skin
• Hair loss in the affected area
• Itchy skin

It’s important to note that symptoms can vary depending on the location of the infection. For instance:

Scalp Ringworm (Tinea Capitis)

This type of ringworm often produces scaly, red, and itchy bald spots. Multiple bald patches may appear if the infection spreads across the scalp. Some people might mistake this condition for severe dandruff.

Feet Ringworm (Tinea Pedis)

Also known as athlete’s foot, this infection can cause the skin between toes to peel, itch, or become red and swollen. A pink or scaly rash may spread across the feet, and in severe cases, blisters may form.

Groin Ringworm (Tinea Cruris)

Commonly referred to as jock itch, this type of ringworm causes red, scaly, and itchy spots in the skin folds of the inner thigh.

Beard Ringworm (Tinea Barbae)

This infection affects the chin, cheeks, and upper neck areas. Symptoms include red, scaly, and itchy spots that may be filled with pus. Affected hair may fall out, and the spots can crust over.

The Culprits Behind Ringworm: Understanding the Causes

Ringworm is caused by various types of fungi that thrive in warm, humid environments. These fungi can be found in:

• Locker rooms
• Indoor pools
• Soil
• Gyms
• Animals
• Objects like hats, towels, and combs

It’s worth noting that despite its preference for warm and humid conditions, ringworm can still occur in cooler weather due to its highly contagious nature.

Risk Factors: Who’s More Likely to Develop Ringworm?

While anyone can contract ringworm, certain factors may increase your risk:

• Living in damp, hot, or humid areas
• Excessive sweating
• Participating in contact sports
• Wearing tight clothing
• Having a weakened immune system
• Sharing clothing, bedding, or towels with others
• Having diabetes

Understanding these risk factors can help you take appropriate precautions to reduce your chances of developing ringworm.

The Spread of Ringworm: How Does It Transmit?

Ringworm is highly contagious and can spread through various direct and indirect means:

Person-to-Person Transmission

Direct skin contact with an infected person can lead to the spread of ringworm. This is particularly common in settings where close physical contact occurs, such as during sports activities or in crowded living conditions.

Animal-to-Person Transmission

Direct contact with infected animals can also spread ringworm to humans. While dogs and cats are common carriers, other animals such as ferrets, horses, rabbits, goats, and pigs can also transmit the infection.

Object-to-Person Transmission

Indirect contact with contaminated objects can lead to ringworm infections. These objects may include:

• Hair of an infected person
• Bedding
• Clothing
• Shower stalls
• Floors

Soil-to-Person Transmission

Although rare, prolonged contact with infected soil can sometimes result in ringworm infections.

Diagnosis and Treatment: Addressing Ringworm Effectively

If you suspect you have ringworm, it’s important to seek medical attention for proper diagnosis and treatment. Here’s what you can expect:

Diagnosis

Doctors typically diagnose ringworm through a skin examination. In some cases, additional tests may be performed:

• Skin scraping examination: The doctor may observe skin scrapings from the affected area under a microscope to look for fungus.
• Culture test: A sample may be sent to a laboratory to see if the fungus grows, confirming the diagnosis.

Treatment

The treatment for ringworm depends on the severity and location of the infection. Common treatment options include:

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medications

For localized infections, OTC topical antifungal medications are often sufficient. These may come in the form of powders, ointments, or creams. Popular OTC options include:

• Clotrimazole 1% (Lotrimin AF)
• Miconazole 2% (Micatin)
• Terbinafine 1% (Lamisil)

Prescription Medications

In some cases, particularly for more severe or widespread infections, your doctor may prescribe oral antifungal medications such as:

• Terbinafine
• Itraconazole
• Fluconazole

It’s important to note that while ringworm rarely spreads below the surface of the skin, individuals with weakened immune systems may have more difficulty clearing the infection. This includes people with HIV, those undergoing chemotherapy, or individuals on immunosuppressant treatments.

Prevention Strategies: Minimizing Your Risk of Ringworm

While ringworm is common, there are several steps you can take to reduce your risk of infection:

1. Practice good hygiene: Wash your hands regularly and keep your skin clean and dry.
2. Avoid sharing personal items: Don’t share towels, clothing, or other personal items that come into contact with the skin.
3. Wear appropriate footwear: Use sandals or shoes in public showers, locker rooms, and pool areas.
4. Keep your skin dry: Change out of damp clothing promptly and thoroughly dry your skin after swimming or sweating.
5. Treat pets promptly: If you suspect your pet has ringworm, take them to a veterinarian for treatment.
6. Maintain a strong immune system: Eat a balanced diet, get enough sleep, and manage stress to keep your immune system functioning optimally.
7. Clean and disinfect regularly: Regularly clean and disinfect commonly used surfaces, especially in shared spaces like gyms or locker rooms.

When to Seek Medical Attention: Recognizing Severe Cases

While most cases of ringworm can be treated effectively with OTC medications, there are situations where you should consult a healthcare professional:

• If the rash doesn’t improve after two weeks of self-treatment
• If the infection appears to be spreading despite treatment
• If you develop a fever or other signs of a secondary bacterial infection
• If you have a weakened immune system
• If the infection is on your scalp (scalp ringworm often requires prescription oral medication)

Remember, early treatment can help prevent the spread of ringworm to others and reduce your discomfort.

Living with Ringworm: Managing Your Condition and Preventing Recurrence

If you’ve been diagnosed with ringworm, it’s important to follow your treatment plan diligently. Here are some additional tips to manage your condition and prevent recurrence:

• Complete the full course of treatment, even if symptoms improve before it’s finished.
• Keep the affected area clean and dry.
• Wash bedding and clothing daily during the first week of treatment to prevent reinfection.
• Avoid scratching the affected area, as this can spread the infection and potentially lead to secondary bacterial infections.
• Monitor your pets for signs of ringworm and treat them promptly if infected.
• Consider using antifungal powders or sprays in your shoes if you’re prone to athlete’s foot.

By understanding ringworm, recognizing its symptoms, and taking preventive measures, you can effectively manage this common fungal infection. Remember, while ringworm can be uncomfortable and unsightly, it’s typically not serious and can be treated successfully with proper care and medication.

Tinea Corporis (Body Ringworm): Treatment and More

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Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:

• Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
• Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
• Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?

We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.

Read more about our vetting process.

Was this helpful?

Ringworm of the body is a skin infection caused by a fungus.

The medical term for ringworm is tinea corporis. “Tinea” means fungus, the cause of the rash, and “corporis” means the body.

It’s a superficial fungal skin infection caused by dermatophytes, which are a type of fungus. It can occur on the:

• torso
• arms
• legs
• neck

The condition is common and highly contagious, but it’s not serious.

Symptoms of ringworm on your body usually start about 4 to 14 days after contact with the fungus.

Ringworm can affect any area of your skin, and it may also be found on fingernails and toenails.

Symptoms usually include:

• a ring-shaped rash
• red skin that is scaly or cracked
• hair loss
• itchy skin

Symptoms may also vary based on where ringworm is located on your body:

• Scalp ringworm (tinea capitis) may produce a bald spot that is scaly, red, and itchy. Multiple bald spots can appear if the infection spreads across the scalp. This may be mistaken for severe dandruff.
• Feet ringworm (tinea pedis) may cause skin between your toes to peel, itch, or turn red and swollen. It can also cause a pink or scaly rash stretching across your feet. In some severe cases, tinea pedis may cause blisters on your feet.
• Groin ringworm (tinea cruris) can cause red spots that are sclay and itchy in the skin folds on your inner thigh.
• Beard ringworm (tinea barbae) can cause spots that are red, scaly, and itchy. This may occur on your chin, cheeks, and upper parts of your neck. The spots can be filled with pus, and the affected hair may fall out. The spots may also crust over.

Ringworm is caused by fungi. The types of fungi that cause ringworm tend to thrive in warm and humid areas like locker rooms and indoor pools. It can also be found in soil, gyms, and animals, or on objects like hats, towels, and combs.

It’s still possible to get ringworm even in cool weather, due to how contagious it is.

Factors that may increase your risk include:

• living in damp, hot, or humid areas
• excessive sweating
• participating in contact sports
• wearing tight clothing
• having a weak immune system
• sharing clothing, bedding, or towels with others
• diabetes

A ringworm infection can spread in many direct and indirect ways, including:

• Person to person. This happens when you have direct contact with the skin of a person who has ringworm.
• Animal to person. This occurs through direct contact with an animal that has ringworm. Both dogs and cats can spread the infection to people. Ferrets, horses, rabbits, goats, and pigs can also spread ringworm to people.
• Inanimate item to person. It’s possible to get ringworm through indirect contact with objects, including the hair of a person with ringworm, bedding, clothing, shower stalls, and floors.
• Soil to person. Rarely, a ringworm infection can spread through contact with affected soil for an extended amount of time.

If your doctor suspects that you may have ringworm, they’ll examine your skin and may do some tests. Usually, a skin examination will result in a diagnosis.

Your doctor may also observe skin scrapings from the affected area under a microscope to look for fungus. They may send a sample to a laboratory for confirmation. The laboratory may perform a culture test to see if the fungus grows.

Over-the-counter (OTC) topical fungicidal medications are usually enough to treat a localized infection. The medication may be in the form of a powder, ointment, or cream. It’s applied directly to the affected areas of the skin.

These medications include OTC products like:

• clotrimazole 1 percent (Lotrimin AF)
• miconazole 2 percent (Micatin)
• terbinafine 1 percent (Lamisil)

Shop for OTC antifungal medications.

Your pharmacist can help you choose the right medication for you.

In some cases, your doctor may prescribe oral medications. These include:

• terbinafine
• itraconazole
• fluconazole

The infection is not serious and will rarely, if ever, spread below the surface of your skin.

However, people with a weakened immune system, such as people with HIV, on chemotherapy, or doing other immunosuppressant treatment, may have trouble getting rid of the infection.

As with other types of skin infections and conditions, itchy, irritated, or broken skin can lead to secondary bacterial infections that may need treatment with antibiotics.

You can prevent ringworm of the body by limiting contact with someone who has the infection. This includes both indirect and direct contact with that person.

Precautions you can follow include:

• not sharing towels, hats, hairbrushes, or clothing with someone who has ringworm
• taking your pet to a vet if you suspect a ringworm infection
• maintaining personal hygiene around other people if you have ringworm of the body, and not scratching the affected areas of your skin
• drying your skin well after a shower, especially between your toes and where skin touches skin, such as in your groin and armpits

Ringworm is a skin infection that is caused by fungus. It can appear on any area of your skin and even your toenails and fingernails.

It typically appears as a ring-shaped rash that may cause red skin that is scaly or itchy. It may also cause hair loss in the affected area.

Ringworm can be spread from person to person, from animal to person, and through touching objects that were previously touched by someone with the infection.

You can prevent ringworm by limiting contact with a person who has the infection and not sharing towels, hats, or other items with them. You can also prevent it by properly drying off after a shower.

You can use OTC topical fungicidal medications to treat ringworm. If you suspect you may have ringworm, make an appointment with your doctor.

Tinea Corporis (Body Ringworm): Treatment and More

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Here’s our process.

Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.

Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:

• Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
• Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
• Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?

We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.

Read more about our vetting process.

Was this helpful?

Ringworm of the body is a skin infection caused by a fungus.

The medical term for ringworm is tinea corporis. “Tinea” means fungus, the cause of the rash, and “corporis” means the body.

It’s a superficial fungal skin infection caused by dermatophytes, which are a type of fungus. It can occur on the:

• torso
• arms
• legs
• neck

The condition is common and highly contagious, but it’s not serious.

Symptoms of ringworm on your body usually start about 4 to 14 days after contact with the fungus.

Ringworm can affect any area of your skin, and it may also be found on fingernails and toenails.

Symptoms usually include:

• a ring-shaped rash
• red skin that is scaly or cracked
• hair loss
• itchy skin

Symptoms may also vary based on where ringworm is located on your body:

• Scalp ringworm (tinea capitis) may produce a bald spot that is scaly, red, and itchy. Multiple bald spots can appear if the infection spreads across the scalp. This may be mistaken for severe dandruff.
• Feet ringworm (tinea pedis) may cause skin between your toes to peel, itch, or turn red and swollen. It can also cause a pink or scaly rash stretching across your feet. In some severe cases, tinea pedis may cause blisters on your feet.
• Groin ringworm (tinea cruris) can cause red spots that are sclay and itchy in the skin folds on your inner thigh.
• Beard ringworm (tinea barbae) can cause spots that are red, scaly, and itchy. This may occur on your chin, cheeks, and upper parts of your neck. The spots can be filled with pus, and the affected hair may fall out. The spots may also crust over.

Ringworm is caused by fungi. The types of fungi that cause ringworm tend to thrive in warm and humid areas like locker rooms and indoor pools. It can also be found in soil, gyms, and animals, or on objects like hats, towels, and combs.

It’s still possible to get ringworm even in cool weather, due to how contagious it is.

Factors that may increase your risk include:

• living in damp, hot, or humid areas
• excessive sweating
• participating in contact sports
• wearing tight clothing
• having a weak immune system
• sharing clothing, bedding, or towels with others
• diabetes

A ringworm infection can spread in many direct and indirect ways, including:

• Person to person. This happens when you have direct contact with the skin of a person who has ringworm.
• Animal to person. This occurs through direct contact with an animal that has ringworm. Both dogs and cats can spread the infection to people. Ferrets, horses, rabbits, goats, and pigs can also spread ringworm to people.
• Inanimate item to person. It’s possible to get ringworm through indirect contact with objects, including the hair of a person with ringworm, bedding, clothing, shower stalls, and floors.
• Soil to person. Rarely, a ringworm infection can spread through contact with affected soil for an extended amount of time.

If your doctor suspects that you may have ringworm, they’ll examine your skin and may do some tests. Usually, a skin examination will result in a diagnosis.

Your doctor may also observe skin scrapings from the affected area under a microscope to look for fungus. They may send a sample to a laboratory for confirmation. The laboratory may perform a culture test to see if the fungus grows.

Over-the-counter (OTC) topical fungicidal medications are usually enough to treat a localized infection. The medication may be in the form of a powder, ointment, or cream. It’s applied directly to the affected areas of the skin.

These medications include OTC products like:

• clotrimazole 1 percent (Lotrimin AF)
• miconazole 2 percent (Micatin)
• terbinafine 1 percent (Lamisil)

Shop for OTC antifungal medications.

Your pharmacist can help you choose the right medication for you.

In some cases, your doctor may prescribe oral medications. These include:

• terbinafine
• itraconazole
• fluconazole

The infection is not serious and will rarely, if ever, spread below the surface of your skin.

However, people with a weakened immune system, such as people with HIV, on chemotherapy, or doing other immunosuppressant treatment, may have trouble getting rid of the infection.

As with other types of skin infections and conditions, itchy, irritated, or broken skin can lead to secondary bacterial infections that may need treatment with antibiotics.

You can prevent ringworm of the body by limiting contact with someone who has the infection. This includes both indirect and direct contact with that person.

Precautions you can follow include:

• not sharing towels, hats, hairbrushes, or clothing with someone who has ringworm
• taking your pet to a vet if you suspect a ringworm infection
• maintaining personal hygiene around other people if you have ringworm of the body, and not scratching the affected areas of your skin
• drying your skin well after a shower, especially between your toes and where skin touches skin, such as in your groin and armpits

Ringworm is a skin infection that is caused by fungus. It can appear on any area of your skin and even your toenails and fingernails.

It typically appears as a ring-shaped rash that may cause red skin that is scaly or itchy. It may also cause hair loss in the affected area.

Ringworm can be spread from person to person, from animal to person, and through touching objects that were previously touched by someone with the infection.

You can prevent ringworm by limiting contact with a person who has the infection and not sharing towels, hats, or other items with them. You can also prevent it by properly drying off after a shower.

You can use OTC topical fungicidal medications to treat ringworm. If you suspect you may have ringworm, make an appointment with your doctor.

Annelids

photo, description and lifestyle

Article content

• 1. Description of annelids
• 2. Lifestyle of annelids
• 3. Reproduction of annelids
• 4. Nutrition of annelids
• 5. Classification of annelids
• 6. Evolution of annelids

Annelids are invertebrates, among which scientists distinguish approximately 12 thousand species of oligochaetes, polychaetes, misostomids and leeches.

Description of annelids

The body length of different annelids varies from a few millimeters to 6 meters. The body of the annelids has bilateral symmetry. It is divided into the tail, head, and midsection regions, which are composed of numerous repeating segments. All segments of the body are separated by partitions. Each of them contains a complete set of organs.

Annelids (Annelida).

The mouth is in the first segment. The body of the annelids is filled with fluid, due to which hydrostatic pressure is formed and the body is shaped. The outer layer is formed by two layers of muscles. The fibers of one layer are located in the longitudinal direction, and in the second layer they work in a circular pattern. Movement is carried out due to the action of muscles located throughout the body.

The muscles of annelids can work in such a way that parts of the body can either lengthen or become thick.

Lifestyle of annelids

Annelids are distributed throughout the world. They mainly live in the ground and water, but some species of annelids are blood-sucking. Among annelids there are predators, filter feeders and scavengers. Annelides, which recycle the soil, are of the greatest ecological importance. Annelids include not only low-bristle worms, but also leeches. There can be 50-500 worms per 1 square meter of soil.

Marine forms of annelids are the most diverse. They live in all latitudes of the World Ocean and can be found at different depths, up to 10 kilometers. They have a high population density: there are about 500-600 marine annelids per 1 square meter. Annelids are very important in the marine ecosystem.

Annelids are dioecious animals, some are hermaphrodites.

Reproduction of annelids

Many species of annelids reproduce asexually, but there are species that reproduce sexually. Most species develop from larvae.

Polychaetes and oligochaetes are characterized by the ability to regenerate, so they reproduce vegetatively. In some species, for example, in aulophorus, in the presence of a sufficient amount of food, additional mouth openings are formed on the segments of the body, through which, over time, separation and the formation of new individuals – daughter clones.

Annelids’ diet

Annelids’ diet consists mainly of decaying vegetation. But the exception is leeches, which parasitize other animals. Leeches have a pair of suckers, one at each end of the body. With the help of them, leeches stick to an animal or person and drink his blood. To prevent blood from clotting during feeding, leeches release anticoagulants. And some types of leeches are able to swallow small invertebrates whole.

Misostomidae a modified class of annelids.

Classification of annelids

Annelids are considered close relatives of arthropods. They have common features: a segmented body and the structure of the nervous system. Polychaete worms have the greatest resemblance to arthropods. They also have developed lateral appendages – parapodia, which are considered the rudiments of the legs.

According to the type of crushing and the structure of the larvae, annelids are similar to molluscs and sipunculids.

It is believed that the closest relatives of annelids are brachiopods, nemerteans and phoronids, mollusks are more distant relatives, and the most distant relatives are flatworms.

In different classifications, a different number of classes of annelids are distinguished. But traditionally they are divided into 3 classes: oligochaetes, polychaetes and leeches. There is also another taxonomy:
• Polychaete worms – this class is the most numerous and it consists mainly of marine forms;
• Misostomides;
• Girdle worms with a characteristic girdle on the body.

Evolution of annelids

There are several versions about the origin of annelids. They are generally thought to have descended from the lower flatworms. Certain features indicate that the annelids bear a general resemblance to the lower worms.

A tubular polychaete marine worm that lives in a calcareous shell that is capable of closing in case of danger.

It is assumed that the polychaete worms originated first, and from them freshwater and terrestrial forms – oligochaete worms and leeches were formed.

Few fossil remains of annelids from the Middle Cambrian have been found.