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) Logical Images Facial Ringworm (Tinea Faciale) Logical Images Jock Itch (Tinea Cruris) Logical Images Ringworm (Tinea Corporis) Logical Images 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 Start Here Fungal Diseases: Ringworm Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Fungus Infections: Tinea American Osteopathic College of Dermatology Ringworm (Including Athlete’s Foot and Jock Itch) (Beyond the Basics) UpToDate Tinea Infections American Academy of Family Physicians Prevention and Risk Factors Fungal Diseases: Ringworm Risk & Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Fungus Infections: Preventing Recurrence American Osteopathic College of Dermatology Diagnosis and Tests Fungal Tests American Association for Clinical Chemistry Specifics Jock Itch Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Ringworm Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Ringworm (Body) Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Ringworm (Scalp) Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Teenagers Jock Itch Nemours Foundation Ringworm Nemours Foundation Array Jock itch Ringworm Skin lesion KOH exam Tinea capitis Tinea corporis Health Check Tools Jock Itch DSHI Systems Children Kerion Logical Images Ringworm Nemours Foundation Scalp Ringworm (Tinea Capitis) Logical Images Tinea Infections (Ringworm, Athlete’s Foot, Jock Itch) American Academy of Pediatrics Journal Articles Tinea Infections