Ring WormsBy: Rebecca Richmond

AndMichael Hattel

General Characteristics• Ringworm is a skin infection, characterized by a reddish to brownish

raised or bumpy patch of skin that may be lighter in the centre, giving the appearance of a “ring.” Ringworm can occur anywhere on the body. Depending on its location, it is also known as tinea pedis or "athlete's foot" when on the feet, tinea cruris or "jock itch" when on the groin area, tinea corporis when on the body (where it is most commonly referred to as ringworm), or tinea capitis when on the scalp. Ring worm isn’t a worm, but by a parasitic fungus and is medically classified as a dermatophytis. Dermatophytes are a group of related fungi that infect and survive on dead epidermis, the top layer of the skin

• The first case of ringworm was discovered in Japan where a human got something like it from a cross-bred rabbit in 1989.

• The ring like appearance is scaly and red.

How can you get it and what does it do?

• Ring worm is a highly contagious fungus that is irritating to have. It is itchy, unattractive and a bad fungus to have on your body.

• Fungi thrive in moist, warm areas, such as locker rooms, swimming pools, and places on your body which have frequent sweating.

• The fungi maybe present without any symptoms.

What are common diseases you can get?

• There are no diseases linked to ringworm since it’s a fungal infection. There are some different types of ringworm based on where the fungus is located (examples: athlete’s foot, jock itch) they are all slightly different from each other because different types of the fungus will only grow in certain places (Tinea pedis or athlete’s foot only grows on the feet.)

How do Ringworms reproduce?

• Ringworm spreads via direct contact with infected area, dogs or cats, articles of clothing, or objects or surfaces (like a comb). This is why ringworm is very common among wrestlers. Ringworm like any fungus grows in dark, warm, moist places. Hence this is why athlete’s foot is common.

How can you treat ringworms?

• Some ringworm will go away on there own but some will require an ointment/cream or antifungal medicine to go away.

Interesting facts

• “It was noticed that tinea corporis does not affect the beard area on men”

• “Trichophyton rubrum, microsporum canis and trichophyton mentagrophytes are the most common fungi responsible for ringworm.”

• “Microsporum canis is a type of fungi that commonly infects cats. This type of fungus can be easily transmitted to other animals and to humans.”

• “Ringworm of the nails is manifested by thickening and discoloration of the nails.”

• “For some reason, most animals appear to be immune to this form of fungal infection.”

bibliography

• www.wikipedia.com• www.medicinenet.com/ringworm/article• http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/rin

gworms.shtml• http://www.mamashealth.com/skin/ringworm.asp• http://www.emedicinehealth.com/

ringworm_on_body/page6_em.htm• http://www.earthtym.net/ref-ringworm.htm