Ringworm, unlike its name, is caused by fungi and not by any worm. Sometimes also termed as ‘tinea corporis’, ringworm is an infectious skin disease caused by mold like fungi called Dermatophytes. Dermatophytes thrive on dead tissues present on skin surface and follows circular path to spread its infection. It usually affects skin, scalp, fingers, toenails and foot.
One of the most common causes of ringworm among humans is through direct contact with other humans—sharing combs or clothing or by touching the infected area. It is also transmitted through infected pets or other animals. Children, especially, due to their proximity with pets, are prone to the disease.
Ringworm thrives in moist conditions. Wearing caps or socks for long periods give the fungi an opportunity to spread, which is why ringworms usually occur in feet, toes, thighs and scalp.
Pets often carry this disease from contaminated soil or by exposing themselves to rodent burrows. Subsequently, these animals transmit the disease to other animals and humans in close proximity. Precautions are necessary, since pets may not show symptoms despite being potential carriers.
Take precautions such as keeping skin clean and dry since fungi thrive quickly in unclean and moist conditions. If you have pets in your house, be sure to have them checked by your veterinarian regularly. If infection occurs, appropriate precautions and prescribed medication can successfully treat ringworm within 2-3 weeks.
Related Articles of Interest :
-
Human Ring Worm
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Ringworm, also referred to as tinea corporis, is an infectious skin disease caused by mold like fungi called Dermatophytes. This disease usually transmits through direct contact with ringworm-infected animals or humans through sharing combs, clothing or by touching ringworm infected body parts. Ringworm gets its...
-
Ring Worm
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Ringworm, also termed tinea corporis, is an infectious skin disease caused by mold-like fungi called Dermatophytes. This disease usually transmits through direct contact with ringworm-infected animals or with humans by sharing combs, clothing or by touching infected areas. Despite its name, there are no worms...
-
Ring Worm in Dogs
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Ringworm is one of the most common diseases in pets, especially dogs. Unlike its name, Ringworm is not a worm but fungi called Dermatophytes that thrives on dead tissues present on skin surface and follows circular path to spread infection. Ringworm is an infectious skin...
-
Ring Worm In Cats
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Ringworm is a common skin disease in cats and dogs. Unlike its name, it is not caused by any worm (though it used to be thought so) but by fungi called Dermatophytes that thrive on dead tissues present in skin surface and follow circular a...
-
Ring Worm Symptoms
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Ringworm is an infectious skin disease caused not by a worm (though people used to think so, thus the name) by mold like fungi called Dermatophytes. This disease usually transmits through direct contact with other ringworm-infected animals or through humans by sharing combs, clothing or...
-
Ring Worm Treatments
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Ringworm is an infectious skin disease spread by fungi called Dermatophytes. It spreads itself by forming ring-like pattern on skin with a circular rash that is inflamed at the edges and clean at the center. Though, ringworm is a curable disease it should never be...
-
A Guide To Ring Worm
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Did you know that ringworms can infect both humans and animals, and they can even catch the disease from each other? Ringworm is contacted when there is direct contact on the infected area of a person or an animal that is already infected. The common...
-
Oral Herpes
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Herpes, both oral and genital, is caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus. While oral Herpes is caused by HSV-1, genital Herpes is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the HSV-2 virus. The common symptoms for both oral and genital herpes include the appearance of sores...
-
Herpes
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Herpes is a sexually transmitted viral disease caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus. Two strains of this virus have been identified – HSV I and HSV2. The HSV-I virus is known to cause oral herpes. Oral herpes is a disease that affects the mouth. Cold...
-
Pet Allergies
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Pet allergy is a condition when an individual’s immune system overreacts when exposed to any breed of pets. The pets may include dog, cat, rats, mice and rabbits. Certain individuals that develop allergies from these animals have a reaction when they touch or are in...