How is Ringworm diagnosed?

The best known sign of ringworm is the appearance of one or more red raised itchy patches with defined edges. These patches are often lighter in the center, taking on the appearance of a ring. If the infected area involves the scalp or beard area, they may start with a small pimple that becomes larger, and then turns into scaly bald patches. Infected haris might become brittle and break off easily and yellowish crusts might develop.

The affected area may become itchy for periods of time.

Ringworm of the body shows up as a flat, round patch anywhere on the skin except for the scalp and feet. The groin is a common area of infection. As the rash gradually expands, its center clears to produce a ring. More than one patch might appear, and the patches can overlap. The area is sometimes itchy.

Athlete's Foot

Ringworm of the foot is also called athlete's foot. It appears as a scaling or cracking of the skin, especially between the toes.

Jock Itch

Jock Itch is ringworm found in the groin area. The fungal infection thrives in a warm, moist environment.

Nails

Ringworm of the nails causes the affected nails to become thicker, discolored, and brittle, or to become chalky and disintegrate.

Scalp

Scalp Ringworm usually appears 10 to 14 days after contact with someone who is already affected and Ringworm of the skin 4 to 10 days after contact. For other types of tinea, the time between exposure and symptoms is not known.

Doctors can diagnose ringworm on sight, or they may take a skin scraping. This is examined under a microscope, or put on an agar plate in a microbiology laboratory and allowed to grow. Some of the fungi fluoresce under a black light examination.