Tinea Infections

Summary

Tinea is the name of a group of diseases caused by a fungus. Types of tinea include ringworm, athlete’s foot and jock itch. These infections are usually not serious, but they can be uncomfortable. You can get them by touching an infected person, from damp surfaces such as shower floors, or even from a pet.

Symptoms depend on the affected area of the body:

• Ringworm is a red skin rash that forms a ring around normal-looking skin. A worm doesn’t cause it.
• Scalp ringworm causes itchy, red patches on your head. It can leave bald spots. It usually affects children.
• Athlete’s foot causes itching, burning and cracked skin between your toes.
• Jock itch causes an itchy, burning rash in your groin area.

Over-the-counter creams and powders will get rid of many tinea infections, particularly athlete’s foot and jock itch. Other cases require prescription medicine.

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Images

• Beard Ringworm (Tinea Barbae) VisualDX
• Facial Ringworm (Tinea Faciei) VisualDX
• Ringworm (Tinea Corporis) VisualDX
• Tinea Cruris VisualDX

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Tinea National Institutes of Health

Find an Expert

• Find a Dermatologist American Academy of Dermatology
• National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Children

• First Aid: Ringworm Nemours Foundation
• Ringworm, Scalp (Tinea Capitis) VisualDX
• Tinea Infections (Ringworm, Athlete’s Foot, Jock Itch) American Academy of Pediatrics

Diagnosis and Tests

• Fungal Culture Test National Library of Medicine

Start Here

• Fungal Diseases: Ringworm Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Fungus Infections: Tinea American Osteopathic College of Dermatology

Prevention and Risk Factors

• Fungal Diseases: Ringworm Risk & Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Fungus Infections: Preventing Recurrence American Osteopathic College of Dermatology

Teenagers

• Jock Itch Nemours Foundation
• Ringworm Nemours Foundation

Patient Handouts

• Jock itch Medical Encyclopedia
• Ringworm Medical Encyclopedia
• Ringworm of the body Medical Encyclopedia
• Ringworm of the scalp Medical Encyclopedia
• Skin lesion KOH exam Medical Encyclopedia

Journal Articles

• Tinea Infections

Specifics

• Ringworm Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Ringworm (Body) Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research