Ringworm often affects children. The characteristic rings may be irregular and can expand beyond the scalp. The ring grows outward as the infection spreads and the central area becomes less actively infected. This type of infection is very contagious and can be passed from shared hats, combs or brushes and barber tools. It is also possible to be infected with scalp or skin ringworm from pets or domestic animals.
Skin changes associated with fungal infections often are quite specific.
Thus, your physician may only need to examine your skin to make the diagnosis. At other times, it will be necessary to obtain material from the lesion for laboratory analysis. These infections are rarely life-threatening. They can range from mild to severe attacks and often persist or recur. Treatment is generally successful, but long-term medication and continued use of preventive measures may be required, particularly for infections in your nails.