Ringworm is a contagious fungal infection that can be spread through skin-to-skin contact with infected humans or animals, as well as through contaminated surfaces and shared personal items. It is important to avoid skin-to-skin contact with infected individuals and to promptly treat infected animals to prevent the spread of the infection.
Ringworm in humans is typically spread by touch. For example, if an individual touches a ringworm rash on an infected person, they may develop ringworm themselves. An individual can also get ringworm from touching an infected animal, such as a cat or dog. In addition to person-to-person contact, ringworm in humans is also spread through surfaces that have come in contact with the fungus that causes it, as well as through shared clothing and personal items. For example, a person might get ringworm from walking barefoot in a locker room; sharing combs, brushes or towels with an infected person; or even wearing the clothes of a person who has ringworm.
Ringworm is a circular, raised, itchy rash. While the name might seem to suggest that it’s caused by a worm or some kind of parasite, that’s not the case; Ringworm is caused by a fungus called tineas corporis. It is contagious and spread mainly through skin-to-skin contact with other humans. There are, however, other ways ringworm in humans can spread. For example, a person can catch it from touching an infected pet or a surface that an infected part has touched, sharing personal items and clothing contaminated with the fungus, or even touching soil that contains the fungus.
It is important to note that an individual can touch a person who has ringworm and avoid catching it themselves. This is because an individual is more likely to get it by touching a part of the skin on which the rash is present. If an individual touches an infected person’s hand and the rash is on their leg, the uninfected part may not get it. However, it may be possible to get ringworm from skin-to-skin contact that occurs away from the site of active infection. This can happen, for example, if the fungus has spread but you have yet to develop a rash; many health experts recommend avoiding all types of skin-to-skin contact with a person who has an active infection.
While a person may know to avoid the skin and coat of an animal that has ringworm, there is a less obvious way to get it from animals. An individual can also get ringworm by coming into contact with the fur of an infected animal. As this can be difficult to avoid, prompt treatment of infected animals can be key in avoiding the spread of ringworm to humans.
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