Ringworm starts as a small pimple that grows larger and creates patches of dry, bald skin. The hair can become brittle and break off. If the nail bed becomes infected, it can become thick and brittle, or it can turn powdery and crumble. Ringworm causes dry, cracked skin, most often between the toes. The SKIN is the most common place to find the ringworm.
Pets are a common source of infection with ringworm and can transmit the infection.
Many different kinds of fungus can cause ringworm. The length of time varies between the time you are in contact with the fungus and the time you develop symptoms. Often, ringworm of the body appears four to ten days after exposure, but scalp ringworm can take ten days to two weeks to appear. Since so many types of fungus can cause ringworm, it is possible to become infected with more than one kind. The easiest way to prevent ringworm is to avoid sharing any clothing, towels, and other items used by a person with ringworm.