Ringworm Ringworm Ringworm is a skin infection caused by a fungus that can affect the scalp, skin, fingers, toenails or feet. Anyone can get ringworm, but children may be more susceptible to certain varieties. Ringworm of the scalp usually begins as a small pimple which becomes larger in size, leaving scaly patches of temporary baldness.
Infected hairs become brittle and break off easily.
Occasionally, yellowish cuplike crusty areas are seen. With ringworm of the nails, the affected nails become thicker, discolored and brittle, or become chalky and disintegrate. Ringworm of the body appears as flat, spreading, ring-shape areas, with reddish areas that may be dry, scaly, or moist and crusted. As it spreads, the center area clears and appears normal. On the foot, it appears as a scaling or cracking of the skin, especially between the toes.