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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffFungal infections, such as ringworm, are caused by microorganisms that become parasites on the body. These mold-like fungi (dermatophytes) attack the outer layer of skin on the scalp and invade the hair shaft, causing it to break.
Ringworm is contagious and can spread in the following ways:
- Human to human. Ringworm often spreads through direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person.
- Object to human. Ringworm can spread through contact with objects or surfaces that an infected person or animal has touched, such as clothing, towels, bed linens, combs or brushes.
- Animal to human. Dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits, goats, pigs and horses can spread ringworm to humans. Your child can contract ringworm by grooming or petting an animal with ringworm.
- Goldstein AO, et al. Dermatophyte (tinea) infections. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 24, 2008.
- Habif TP. Superficial fungal infections. In: Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2004. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/104355536-2/742469442/1195/81.html?printing=true. Accessed Nov. 24, 2008.
- Andrews MD, et al. Common tinea infections in children. American Family Physician. 2008;77:1415.
- Lamisil approved to treat scalp ringworm in children. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/lamisil100907.html. Accessed Nov. 24, 2008.
- Ringworm and animals. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/diseases/ringworm.htm. Accessed Nov. 24, 2008.
- Verma S, et al. Superficial fungal infection: Dermatophytosis, onychomycosis, tinea nigra, piedra. In: Wolff K, et al. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2996600&searchStr=tinea+capitis. Accessed Nov. 24, 2008.
