Key points
- Ringworm is a common fungal skin infection that spreads between people, pets, and shared objects.
- The fungus that causes ringworm can get into cracks in the nails and cause infections.
- Athletes are commonly exposed to more risk factors like contact with high touch surfaces and objects.
Causes
Ringworm is caused by a fungi, not a worm. It can infect nails, the scalp, and skin. Ringworm spreads easily between people and from pets to people.
Person-to-person spread
Ringworm is very common and spreads easily from an infected person to another by:
- Skin-to-skin contact, including sexual contact, with an infected person.
- Contact with an infected pet.
- Sharing contaminated objects like towels and bedsheets.
- Contact with contaminated surfaces like locker room floors.
Personal risk
Some personal habits or behaviors can increase risk for ringworm, such as:
- Going multiple days without showering or bathing.
- Not changing socks and underwear daily.
- Walking with bare feet on publicly shared spaces like dressing rooms.
Athletes
Athletes may have a higher risk for ringworm. Athletic environments and activities create risk factors, like:
- Excessive sweating.
- High skin-to-skin contact (as in wrestling).
- Reused equipment that can quickly get dirty.
- Bare feet in locker rooms.