Ringworm is a type of fungal skin infection that commonly affects children, according to MedlinePlus, a medical information website established by the National Institutes of Health. This infection can affect any region of the human body, including the skin, feet, groin or scalp. Symptoms of a human ringworm infection are minimal, but affected patients should contact a doctor for further evaluation and care.
Skin Rash
A red, irritated skin rash is the primary symptom associated with a ringworm infection in humans. Affected patients can notice the development of discolored skin patches across the affected body region. The affected skin can appear raised or scaly and may begin to flake or itch. The skin rash typically resembles a ring in the shape of a circular rash that is red along the outside of the skin lesion, explains MedlinePlus. Depending upon the location of the ringworm infection, patients may also develop swelling or tenderness in conjunction with skin rash symptoms. Ringworm skin lesions can appear inflamed and may begin to leak fluid, and skin lesions that develop near the groin can cause intense itching. Affected patients who frequently scratch the infected skin can exacerbate skin rash symptoms.
Uninfected people who come in contact with the skin of an infected patient or pet or handle items used by an infected person can contract the ringworm infection, warns PDRHealth, a medical information website associated with the "Physicians' Desktop Reference." A doctor may recommend the use of an over-the-counter or prescription antifungal medication to help resolve skin rash symptoms caused by a ringworm infection.
Hair Loss
A ringworm infection of the scalp can cause affected patients to experience temporary hair loss as a symptom of this condition, reports KidsHealth, a children's health information website supported by the Nemours Foundation. Hair located at the infected skin site can break off at the root, causing the sporadic appearance of bald patches across the scalp. Once the infection is treated, affected patients will experience healthy regrowth of any lost hair.
Nail Discoloration
Humans who develop a ringworm infection of the nails can notice significant changes to this region of the hands or feet. The affected nails can appear unusually yellow, white or discolored and may break more easily than usual, explains KidsHealth. The nail bed can appear abnormally thick and may crumble. These ringworm infection symptoms are often accompanied by skin rash symptoms that arise across the hands or feet. Treatment with an antifungal medication can resolve these symptoms.
