About Ringworm
Ringworm is the name of a fungal infection characterized by round (ring-shaped) patches of a red rash on the skin. It can appear just about anywhere on the body, including the hands, feet, nails or even the scalp. Ringworm goes by other names depending on where it occurs--for instance, it's commonly known as athlete's foot when it strikes the feet or jock itch when it occurs in the groin, says the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Ringworm is pretty easy to pick up, in some surprising places.
Public Places
Since ringworm is caused by a fungus, it loves places that are warm, wet and dark. It's easy to pick up ringworm in a public shower, pool or locker room, where lots of feet travel and can spread the fungus. Just stepping barefoot in an area where someone else with ringworm walked is enough to pick up the fungus, says the NLM.
Contaminated Skin
If you touch the skin of a person who has ringworm, you can contract the fungus and develop the infection as well. Skin to skin contact can transmit the fungus, but so can skin to object contact with anything that's contaminated. Using the towels or touching the clothes, sheets or even hairbrush of someone with ringworm can pass the fungus, says the NLM.
Exposure to Pets
Animals can carry the ringworm fungus, and by petting or playing with them, you can develop ringworm. Household pets like dogs and cats, as well as livestock like pigs, goats and horses can all carry ringworm, says the Mayo Clinic. Even ferrets and rabbits can also carry and spread the fungus.
The Environment
The fungus that causes ringworm is naturally found in the environment--specifically, in the soil, says the Mayo Clinic. Extended exposure to soil that is heavily contaminated with the ringworm fungus can transmit the infection to a human.
