When fungus affects the skin of the body, it often produces the round spots of classic ringworm. Sometimes, these spots have an "active" outer border as they slowly grow and advance. It is important to distinguish this rash from other even more common rashes, such as nummular eczema. This condition, and others, may appear similar to ringworm, but they are not fungal and require different treatment.
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').
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, known in medical terms as tinea corporis, is actually not caused by a worm, but by a fungus. Tinea corporis refers to a fungal infection of the body or face, not including the beard area on men. Ringworm occurs more commonly in warm, tropical environments, affects men and women equally, and affects all ages equally.
Ringworm Article
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