What is ringworm of the skin?
Ringworm is a contagious skin infection caused by a fungus. The ringworm fungus feeds on the outer layer of skin, hair, and nails. It thrives best on skin that is moist, hot, and hidden from the light. In the United States, 20 percent of the population has been affected by ringworm. The medical term for ringworm is ‘Tinea.’ Tinea is a Latin name for a growing worm. Adding another word to it, best describes where the fungus is located. Tinea Capitis, for instance refers to the ringworm of the scalp.
