Causes of Ringworm

Ringworm Menu

Fungal infections, such as ringworm, are caused by microorganisms that become parasites on your body.

Human to human: Ringworm often spreads by direct, skin-to-skin contact with an infected person. Infection could be pass from feet to other parts of the body, such as the hands or groin of the same individual.
Animal to human: You can come in contact with ringworm by touching an animal with ringworm.The ringworm infection can come from dogs, cats, cows, goats, pigs, horses, and even hamsters.
Object to human: Ringworm can spread by contact with objects or surfaces that an infected person or animal has touched, such as clothing, towels, bed sheets,door knobs, keyboards, gym mats and weight equipment, and locker rooms, combs or brushes.
Soil to human: In rare cases, ringworm can be spread to humans by contact with infected soil. Infection would most likely occur only from prolonged contact with highly infected soil.

Many bacteria and fungi live on your body. Some of these are useful to you and your body. Others can multiply rapidly and form infections. Ringworm occurs when a particular type of fungus grows and multiplies anywhere on your skin, scalp, or nails.
Ringworm is more likely when you have frequent wetness (such as from sweating) and minor injuries to your skin, scalp, or nails.