Athlete's foot and ringworm cause some of the same symptoms, but are not the same. Athlete's foot is caused by a different type of fungus than the fungus that causes ringworm, states the Directors of Health and Public Education. Ringworm and athlete's foot are caused by direct and indirect contact with infected persons or surfaces an infected person has touched.
Ringworm Definition And Symptoms
Ringworm is a fungal infection developing on the top layer of your skin, according to MayoClinic.com. Ringworm also goes by the name tinea corporis and it is related to, but not the same thing, as athlete's foot. It is also related to scalp ringworm, called tinea capitis and jock itch, also called tinea cruris. Ringworm appears as a red, circular rash that has healthy-looking skin in the center of the rash. Despite its name, ringworm is not caused by worms, states MayoClinic.com.
Ringworm begins with a circular rash on the skin. The ring's edge appears inflamed. If you develop ringworm, you also get expanding and slightly raised rings of scaly, red skin on your face and torso with a round patch of itchy skin.
Athlete's Food Definition
Like ringworm, athlete's foot is a fungal infection. This develops on the moist areas of your body between your toes and sometimes on other parts of your feet. Called tinea pedis, this is one of the most common types of fungal inflammations and it is contagious. You can treat athlete's foot with over-the-counter medications that kill the fungus, states MayoClinic.com.
Symptoms of Athlete's Foot
Athlete's foot begins with burning, stinging and itching between your toes and on the soles of your feet. You may develop blisters that itch, cracking and peeling skin between your toes and on the bottoms of your feet.
The skin on the bottoms or sides of your feet may be very dry, your toenails are crumbly, thick, ragged, discolored or they may be pulling away from the nail beds of your toes, says MayoClinic.com.
Difference Between Ringworm And Athlete's Foot
Ringworm begins with a small pimple that grows, leaving bald, scaly patches on the skin. Any hairs that become infected are brittle, breaking easily. Some victims of ringworm may develop yellow, crusty areas on the skin. It shows up anywhere on the body except for the feet and scalp, writes the Directors of Health Promotion and Education. Ringworm can develop in the groin.
As the rash grows, the center lightens, producing a ring-like appearance. Several patches of ringworm can develop and overlap. These patches can itch.
Ringworm spreads easily between people living in humid, damp and crowded areas. Those who develop ringworm may sweat excessively and wear tight or restrictive clothing.
Athlete's foot develops as scaling and cracking of the skin on the feet, between the toes, on the sides and soles of the feet. Men are more prone to developing athlete's foot as are those who wear tight fitting shoes or damp socks, states MayoClinic.com.
