While "worm" is the root of the word ringworm, the cause has nothing to do with a worm.
It really is a fungus that spreads and lives on the top layer of skin.
Because it is so extremely contagious, pets and humans can get ringworm from many different ways.
The contact with a pet or human that has ringworms is the most common way that humans contract this condition.
The incubation period is close to ten days so it will not be until around ten days after the contact that you begin seeing the symptoms or signs.
It can also be contracted if you come in contact with an object that has come into contact with a pet or human with ringworm.
This can include objects like clothing, bedding, hats, or even gym mats.
It is very uncommon for a human to get ringworm from dirt.
Pets are more likely to get the infection from the dirt than a human being.
The common sign of ringworms is a skin rash.
It is typically rounded and may even appear to be slightly reddish in color.
The skin in the middle often times looks normal.
The edges of the infection, or ringworm, are typically red and may appear to be crusty.
Because the shape is similar to a ring, the infection has been called ring worm.
It may seem surprising but athlete's foot and jock itch are both types of ringworm as well.
The rash that appears in the groin area in the skin folds is called jock itch.
It often appears as an itchy, red rash.
The dry, scaly and thick skin that appears between the toes or on the bottom of the feet is called athlete's foot.
The appearance of the ringworm on the hands is very similar to the athlete's foot appearance.
There may be moisture on the epidermal layer of skin that is between the fingers and there may be sores that are open as well.
It can be simple to treat ringworms.
Many people decide to use an anti-fungal medication that can be purchased over the counter to begin their treatment.
This has been proved to be very effective with certain types of ringworm.
Because there are a few different types of ringworm that vary in severity, getting a prescription from your physician may be the only option in some cases.
Scratching the rash is something that should not be done.
While it may itch very badly, the itching can cause the rash to spread and the infection to cover larger areas of your body.
Any fabrics that may have come into contact with the ringworm infection should be washed very well with bleach and hot water.
If you make use of a public shower it is a good idea to wear shoes to protect your feet and be careful not to touch the walls.
If you do have ringworm it is important to avoid all contact with other humans and animals.
Cover it up as often as you can.
While it is true that a fungus does best in a damp, warm area, your risk of infecting someone else grows greatly if you leave it uncovered.
Preventing yourself from ever getting ringworms is next to impossible.
While you can avoid having contact with a pet or person that has it for sure, it is not always easy to tell if you are coming in contact with someone that has only just begun seeing the signs of it.
You can protect yourself by wearing shoes in public showers and not using towels that are made available in public areas as well.
You should check the mats at your gym to see if they are cleaned regularly because some gyms only allow bare feet in on the mats.
The most important thing you can do if you find that you have ringworm is to treat it immediately.
Ringworm sticks around for a long period of time in some people because they are simply not on top of the necessary treatment to get rid of it.