What happens physically to a person who gets ringworm?

The skin may flake, peel, or crack, and it can itch, sting, burn, or feel uncomfortable. Ringworm on the scalp may start as a small sore that looks like a pimple before becoming patchy, flaky, or scaly. These flakes may look like dandruff. It can make some hair fall out or break into stubble, leaving a bald spot.

What happens to your body when you have ringworm?

Ringworm often causes a ring-shaped rash that is itchy, scaly and slightly raised. The rings usually start small and then expand outward. Ringworm of the body (tinea corporis) is a rash caused by a fungal infection. It's usually an itchy, circular rash with clearer skin in the middle.

Can ringworm cause physical symptoms?

The symptoms of ringworm often depend on which part of the body is infected, but they generally include: Itchy skin. Ring-shaped rash. Red, scaly, cracked skin.

Can ringworm affect your health?

These fungal infections, medically known as "tinea", are not serious and are usually easily treated. However, they are contagious and easily spread.

What happens if you touch someone with ringworm?

People can get ringworm after contact with someone who has the infection. To avoid spreading the infection, people with ringworm shouldn't share clothing, towels, combs, or other personal items with other people.

Ringworm (Tinea Corporis) | Causes, Risk Factors, Signs & Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

Can you share a bed with someone with ringworm?

Fungal spores can transfer to your sheets and comforter. If you sleep on the same sheets night after night, it can take longer for ringworm to heal, and the infection can spread to other parts of your body. Contaminated bedding can also infect your partner.

How long is someone contagious with ringworm?

Since ringworm is caused by contact with various types of fungi, a person or animal will remain contagious for as long as any of the fungus spores remain alive. Ringworm should be completely gone after completing treatment, making a person not contagious anymore.

Can ringworm affect the brain?

Some people develop deep infections with these types of fungi. Instead of affecting the skin, the fungi infect deep body tissues, including the liver or the brain. These deep fungal infections most commonly occur in people who have weakened immune systems and can be fatal.

What happens if ringworm goes untreated in humans?

If left untreated, ringworm can spread to other areas of your body. You may also risk spreading the infection to someone else. Other potential complications include: hair loss and scarring.

What can untreated ringworm lead to?

If left untreated, the area can become boggy (spongy), discharge pus and develop areas of hair loss. This form of ringworm is most common in children.

Which organ is affected by ringworm?

About Ringworm

Ringworm is a common infection of the skin and nails that is caused by fungus. The infection is called “ringworm” because it can cause an itchy, red, circular rash.

Should you stay home with ringworm?

Should children or others be excluded from day care, school, work or other activities if they have ringworm? No. However, they should be excluded from certain activities that are likely to expose others to the fungus, such as using communal swimming pools or showers, sharing towels, sharing gym equipment or wrestling.

What is the main cause of ringworm?

Ringworm is a common skin infection that is caused by a fungus. It's called “ringworm” because it can cause a circular rash (shaped like a ring) that is usually red and itchy. Anyone can get ringworm.

Is ringworm hard to get rid of in humans?

Ringworm may be hard to cure. This condition is also more common in males and happens more often during warm weather conditions.

Can ringworm cause permanent damage?

Ringworm is a round red or discolored rash caused by a common fungal infection. While most people heal from ringworm without any lasting effects, a few people may experience permanent scarring. While these scars usually fade over time, there are several things you can do to prevent or minimize their appearance.

Do you have to quarantine with ringworm?

All ringworm animals should be kept strictly quarantined in a room that is easily cleaned, preferably without carpeting or upholstery.

How do you clean your house after ringworm?

All bedding, brushes, combs, rugs, cages, etc. should be vacuumed, scrubbed, and washed with hot water, detergent, and 1:100 chlorine laundry bleach, or another effective disinfectant (see above). It is best to throw out any items that cannot be thoroughly disinfected. Walls, floors, lamps, etc.

Is hot water good for ringworm?

Use hot water and detergent when washing bedding and any infected clothes. Hot water alone can kill the fungus.

Does ringworm live on bed sheets?

The fungus can also survive on dead skin cells or keratin. When the infected dead skin cells are left on personal items like towels, bedding and clothing, the tinea fungus can easily be transmitted to anyone that uses the infected personal items.

How long can ringworm live on bedsheets?

The fungus can survive on contaminated objects for long periods of time, sometimes up to 18 months.

Do I need to wash my bedding if I have ringworm?

The fungi that cause ringworm can survive for a long time. To avoid re-infecting yourself with infected items, you should wash clothes, towels, and bedding that you use while you have ringworm. Be sure to wash everything in hot, soapy water.

Is ringworm caused by poor hygiene?

The fungi that cause ringworm thrive in warm, moist areas. Poor hygiene and long-term wetness of the skin create a perfect environment and raise the risk for a fungal infection.

What do the stages of ringworm look like?

When fungus affects the skin of the body, it often produces itchy, red, raised, scaly patches that may blister and ooze. The patches often have sharply defined edges. They are often redder around the outside with normal skin tone in the center, creating the appearance of a ring.

What food causes ringworm?

In natural medicine, it is generally believed that the fungal (yeast) organisms responsible for infections such as ringworm thrive on foods containing sugar (including the sugar in fruit), refined carbohydrates (like pasta and white rice) and foods that are mouldy, yeasty or fermented (most breads, aged cheeses, dried ...

Can ringworm spread in bed?

Ringworm spreads through direct contact with infected skin or fungal spores. The spores can live on fabrics, including clothing, couch cushions, bedding, and other porous surfaces. They also thrive in damp environments, such as public showers and locker rooms.