Monday, October 8, 2012

Causes, Types, Symptoms and Treatment Ringworm?

What Is Ringworm?

Ringworm is a common skin disorder otherwise known as tinea. While there are multiple forms of ringworm, the most common affect the skin on the body (tinea corporis), the scalp (tinea capitis), the feet (tinea pedis, or "athlete's foot"), or the groin (tinea cruris, or "jock itch").A magnification of the skin disorder ringworm (tinea)

Does Ringworm Mean I Have Worms?

Ringworm is not, as its name suggests, caused by a worm. Characterized by round lesions (rings) and early belief that the infection was caused by a parasite (worm), the term ringworm was born. Further confusion comes from the medical term for ringworm, tinea, which is Latin for "growing worm." While the condition is actually the result of a fungal infection, the name ringworm has stuck.Ringworm is not caused by worms, as the name implies.

What Causes Ringworm?

Although the world is full of yeasts, molds, and fungi, only a few cause skin problems. Ringworm fungi are known as dermatophytes -- microscopic organisms that live off the dead tissues of your skin, hair, and nails, much like a mushroom can grow on the bark of a tree.Ringworm fungi are known as dermatophytes.

What Types of Ringworm Are There?

As mentioned previously, there are several types of ringworm (tinea) that can affect different parts of the body. On the next several slides, we'll take a look at the various forms from head to toe.Multiple forms of ringworm affect different parts of the body.