Health encyclopaedia

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

Ringworm

Ringworm is not a worm. It is a general term for a common fungus infection of the skin. It is called ringworm because the infection often appears as a round shape or ring.

The general medical name for these infections is ‘tinea’, though the full name depends on the location of the infection on the body.

For example, ringworm on:

• The head, usually the scalp, is tinea capitis
• The body, tinea corporis
• The groin, tinea cruris
• The feet, tinea pedis (athlete’s foot)
• The nails, tinea unguium
• The beard area, tinea barbae.

Ringworm is particularly common among children, but people of any age can catch it. Please note that athlete’s foot and fungal nail infections are treated in more detail in separate topics on this site.

• Symptoms
• Causes
• Diagnosis
• Prevention
• Complications
• Treatment

• RabiesRadiationRadiotherapyRaynaud's phenomenonRectal examinationRed blood countReiter's syndromeRelapsing feverRenin testRepetitive strain injuryRespiratory distress syndromeRespiratory tract infectionRespite careRestless leg syndromeRestricted growthRetinal detachmentReye's syndromeRhesus factor diseaseRheumatic feverRheumatoid arthritisRhinitisRicketsRingwormRisks and benefits of treatmentRoot canal treatmentRosaceaRoundwormRubella

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