A common fungal family called dermatophytes causes ringworm. The fungus can infect any area of the body where there is skin, hair or nails, and the infection is named for the part of the body that it infects. The parasites do not need light to...
Ringworm of the body is just one of a number of diseases caused by the group of fungi known as dermatophytes. Other dermatophyte infections include jock itch and athlete's foot. The opportunistic dermatophyte fungus is microscopic, small enough...
It's normal for your toddler to scratch her head once in a while, but if she's constantly itching, it may be caused by a medical condition. Common scalp conditions that affect toddlers include eczema, or dry skin; dandruff, or a flaky, scaly...
The Mayo Clinic's website reports that ringworm of the scalp is one of several types of ringworm infection. A fungal infection, ringworm can affect anyone of any age. If you believe that you may have a case of ringworm of the scalp, you should...
People tend to view hair loss as a sign of aging; however, children can experience hair loss. In the U.S., hair loss in children represents 3 percent of all pediatric visits, according to the American Hair Loss Association. The permanence of the...
Ringworm, despite the name, is caused by a fungus from the tinea family and not by a worm. Tinea infections can be contracted from animals infected with the fungus or the environment. Ringworm is highly contagious and passes easily from person to...
A close relative of athlete's foot and jock itch, ringworm, also known as tinea corporis, can affect any age group, gender or race. MayoClinic.com explains that ringworm is most common in school-aged children and toddlers. When ringworm affects...
Ringworms, a type of fungal infection, can affect the skin, nails and scalp. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, this fungus, also called dermatophytid and tinea can affect all ages but typically appears in children. A worm...
Ringworm, also known as tinea corporis, is the result of a fungal infection. Ringworm can occur anywhere on the body. Ringworm lesions typically start as a small pimple or sore that turns patchy or scaly or begins to peel. Ringworm lesions can...
Skin infections fall under two general categories, tinea and candida. Both types of infections occur in the top layer of skin, hair, nails and mucous membrane. However, some infections can invade deeper layers of the skin and spread to the blood...
Tinea capitis is an infection of the scalp by a fungus called Trichophyton tonsurans. It usually affects young children, causing patchy hair loss, sores and a boggy lump under the scalp known as a kerion. A doctor can confirm the diagnosis by...
Female frontal balding is the thinning or loss of hair at the top of the scalp. This can occur at any age, and may be temporary or permanent, depending on the cause. Understanding the causes of female frontal balding can help women experiencing...
Ringworm, or tinea infection, is a general term used to describe a group of common infections caused by several different types of fungus. These infections can occur on your body, scalp, beard, groin or on your feet or toes, where the condition is...
Ringworm infection has nothing to do with worms. The ancient Greeks called the disease "herpes," meaning "circular," because of the distinctive appearance of the rash. The Romans believed the rash had something to do with the larval, worm-like,...
A communicable disease is an infectious illness transmitted from one person to another. Bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites can cause communicable infections. The route of person-to-person transmission varies by the type of infectious agent and...
Ringworm, more formally known as tinea capitis, is a fungal infection infecting the scalp and hair follicles. It is not caused by a worm, nor are there any worms present during an infection. The affliction takes its name from its ring-like...
Ringworm is a contagious fungal skin infection that causes a ring-shaped, scaly rash. MayoClinic.com notes that ringworm of the scalp is more common in children, with toddlers and school-age children the most susceptible. Ringworm is usually...
Ringworm is a fungal infection that can affect most places on the body. Ringworm of the scalp is called tinea capitis. Ringworm of the scalp is most common in toddlers and young children. Though it is contagious, it is usually easy to treat and...
Children commonly develop or contract scalp diseases. Some, such as cradle cap and dandruff, develop sporadically. Other scalp diseases, such as ringworm and head lice, occur due to infections or parasitic infestations. Infectious scalp disorders...
Tinea capitis, or scalp ringworm, occurs when dermatophytes infect the hair follicle. Bald spots, itching of the scalp and pus-filled lesions called kerions develop. The round, scaly sores are usually red and inflamed, or may appear as small black...
Ringworm is not caused by a worm at all. This skin infection is actually caused by a fungus that thrives in moist, warm environments. Ringworm fungus is contagious, and can be passed along by contact with infected skin or by contact with a...
