Ringworm is a common fungal infection caused by fungi called dermatophytes. People can get ringworm through several ways:
- Direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person, especially in warm, moist environments like public showers, locker rooms, or pools.
- Contact with infected animals such as cats, dogs, or rodents.
- Touching objects or surfaces contaminated with the fungi, like towels, combs, clothing, sports equipment, or floors.
- In rare cases, contact with infected soil.
Risk factors include playing contact sports (wrestling, football), living in hot and humid areas, sweating heavily, sharing personal items without washing them, wearing tight or restrictive clothing, having minor skin injuries, and having underlying health conditions like diabetes or a weakened immune system. Thus, ringworm spreads easily through close physical contact, shared items, and contaminated environments, especially where it is warm and moist.
