What Are The Symptoms Of Ringworm?
When an individual develops a skin infection caused by the colonization of a variation of Trichophyton and other specific fungi, it is referred to as ringworm. Ringworm infections are very contagious and can be spread from one individual to another through direct contact and sharing of some of the same objects. Ringworm can also be spread from pets and other animals to a human. Ringworm can develop in an individual who is any age, but it occurs most often in children. Ringworm is also more likely to occur in individuals who live in warm and moist climates. This condition has a reputation for being contracted from the use of swimming pools, locker rooms, and showers in athletic facilities. The way ringworm infections are named, and the symptoms they produce are dependent on the part of the body that is affected.
With this in mind, however, learn about some of the common signs of a ringworm infection now.
Ring-Shaped Rash
An individual who contracts ringworm can develop a ring-shaped rash, which is known to manifest anywhere from between four and fourteen days after the individual's skin makes its first contact with the ringworm-causing fungi. The characteristic ring-shaped rash is what gives this fungal infection its name. The notorious ring-shaped rash appears as red or pink on the skin of individuals who are fair-toned, and it appears as gray or brown on those with darker skin. This ring-shaped rash tends to become more expansive or spreads out over time, but it is known to grow slowly. The ring-shaped rash is usually flat in the center, with the border of the ring being raised and scaly. When the patient is recovering from their ringworm infection, the center area of the ring-shaped rash spots will be the first to clear of red color and abnormal textures.
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Itchy Skin
Excessive itchiness of the skin where the infection has colonized is the most common symptom among all cases of ringworm infections. Individuals affected by ringworm of the foot (athlete's foot) tend to experience intense itching and burning on their soles and between their toes. Individuals affected by ringworm on their hand tend to have patches of extremely dry and hard skin that becomes itchy. Patients who develop ringworm in their finger or toenails may experience itching of the skin around the nail. Individuals with jock itch, a form of ringworm that develops in the groin area, are prone to extreme itchiness of the skin in the areas of the inner thigh, buttocks, and waist where the rash is located. Patients with ringworm on the scalp and in the beard area develop intense, itchy skin accompanied by the loss of hair in the location of the rash.
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Red Bumps
Individuals affected by a ringworm infection that develops on the bearded areas of the neck and face may notice a rash of red bumps filled with pus that may also extend up to the cheeks and down the neck. Individuals who have ringworm infection on their scalp have also reported the development of raised red bumps that tend to become ulcerated and develop into open sores that ooze pus. Patients with athlete's foot may develop red bumps that turn into blisters that ooze fluid and are painful. Individuals who have a ringworm infection in their groin may notice a rash that contains multiple itchy red bumps that typically appear on the skin folds of the thigh.
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Scaly Or Cracked Skin
It is common for individuals affected by ringworm to develop scaly or cracked skin. Ringworm infections that affect the feet are notorious for producing scaly and cracked skin in between the toes and on the soles of the feet. As the infection progresses, the scaly and cracked skin may exhibit a foul odor and begin to peel off. Individuals who contract a ringworm infection in their hands are known to exhibit symptoms of deep cracks and excessive scaling of the skin. The scaly skin in these patients can become excessively thick and dry, which can cause it to peel. Individuals affected by jock itch will develop an itchy rash with a scaly texture that may peel, crack, and flake, as the rash spreads and the skin becomes excessively dry. Scaly patches of skin are commonly seen in individuals affected by a ringworm infection that develops on their scalp. These scaly patches on the scalp can become thick and crusty.
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Hair Loss In Affected Area
Individuals affected by certain types of ringworm in areas of the body where hair follicles are located may experience hair loss. A common form of ringworm that occurs on the scalp is referred to as tinea capitis. This form of ringworm usually starts as a small bald spot that becomes itchy, red, and scaly. The bald spot then grows in size and progresses into multiple round spots that also produce shedding of the hair on the scalp. Hair loss is common in children because tinea capitis is the most common form of ringworm to develop in children. Bald spots on the scalp that occur because of ringworm are usually not permanent. Other areas of the body with hair, like the groin and chin, can experience hair loss when they develop a ringworm infection. Because ringworm infections around the chin can be particularly severe and affect a large area of skin, hair loss is seen with this type of ringworm infection most often.