Ringworm is a fungal infection that can be spread through contact with infected people, animals, or objects. It thrives in warm, moist areas like the groin or feet, and can be prevented by avoiding sharing personal items, wearing protective gear in public areas, and disinfecting gym equipment. Contact with infected soil is a rare cause.
A ringworm infection can take hold or be more likely to develop for a variety of reasons. Ringworm is a fungal infection that can be spread between people and animals. Some of the many causes of ringworm include touching people, animals, or objects that have ringworm fungal spores, and improper cleaning of places where ringworm fungus is likely to grow.
The main cause of ringworm is simply contact with an infected person or animal, including skin-to-skin contact or touching objects that the person or animal has touched. One cause of ringworm infections is sharing personal items such as towels, hairbrushes, or clothes with someone who has ringworm. Fungal infections like ringworm are one of the many reasons doctors and other health professionals advise people to avoid sharing personal items. When a ringworm infection clears up, usually with the use of an antifungal cream or other treatment, the previously infected individual’s home, clothing, and personal items should be thoroughly cleaned. Failure to do this can lead to a second ringworm infection, because ringworm spores can remain on objects and surfaces in the home for a long time and still remain contagious.
Ringworm thrives in warm, moist areas like the groin or feet, especially between the toes. This is thought to be one reason why ringworm is commonly found in areas such as gyms, locker rooms, and pool areas. One cause of ringworm infection spreading from person to person may be the inability to keep these areas properly cleaned and disinfected on a regular basis. Individuals may be able to reduce the chances of getting ringworm by wearing yoga shoes or pool shoes in these areas instead of going completely barefoot. It’s also very important to disinfect gym mats and workout equipment between each use, as spores left on the equipment can also be a cause of ringworm.
More rarely, contact with ringworm-infected soil is known to be a cause of ringworm. This can often be avoided by adopting normal protective measures. If ringworm spores are also present in the soil, wearing gloves and shoes while working or playing in the dirt, especially to cover any breaks in the skin that could allow fungal spores to enter the body, should be enough to prevent infection from ringworm .
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