Contrary to its name, a ringworm infection has nothing to do with worms at all.
The name came about as a result of the visible characteristics of this skin condition i.
e.
a round scaly patch on the skin with healthy looking skin at the centre.
Ringworm infection is characterized by a burning, itchy sensation on the skin that culminates in the development of these round patches.
But in actual sense, ringworms are not caused by warms but rather, are a fungal infection caused by dermatophytes.
For the dermatophytes to thrive, they require a substrate on which to feed on: the dead and dying cells on the skin surface as well as hair strands provide an ideal condition for them to grow.
Other than infecting humans, ringworm fungi are also found on common domestic animals such as dogs and cats even though the presence of the fungi may not lead to an actual ringworm outbreak on the animal.
The ringworm fungi are then transmitted to humans who come into physical contact with the infected animal.
But the fungi can also survive without a host and it is very possible for one to get infected with ringworms that live in the soil.
However, the most common means of transmission for the ringworm fungus is from one human to another.
This is of course not entirely surprising considering the level of physical interaction that takes place among human beings every day.
All it normally takes is for the infected person to scratch or touch the infected area and then touch someone else.
The chances of this happening are further increased when one considers that the patches formed from ringworm infection are usually itchy and one will always feel the urge to scratch.
But direct physical contact is not the only way through which ringworms are transmitted.
Clothing is another way through which the fungus can be transmitted indirectly.
This is the reason why sharing of clothing, whether it is actual dressing or it is towels, is discouraged.
Items that will inadvertently come into contact with one's scalps such as hair combs are not to be shared either.
In fact, one of the ways through which ringworm spread is controlled is by effecting a form of quarantine where the person infected is not allowed to share anything with any person around them as they undergo treatment.
As with any other mould-like fungus, the ringworm fungi thrive in moist conditions e.
g.
wearing of caps for extended periods of time.
Though there is no hard and fast approach that can provide a 100% assurance as far as ringworm prevention is concerned, there are measures one can undertake that can reduce the chances of infection.
Simple routine actions such as washing hands several times in a day, occasional use of antifungal soap when bathing, not sharing clothes and other personal items all help reduce ringworm spread.
However, if one is already infected, there are a number of oral and topical medications that can be used to get rid of the fungus.