The word ‘worm’ was once used to describe any animal that is long and thin (hence glow worm and slow worm). So what is ringworm?
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What is ringworm?
Ringworm is neither a worm, nor long and thin. It’s not even an animal. More formally known as dermatophytosis, it is a fungal infection of the skin that often appears as itchy, raised red rings.
It can be caused by several closely related species, which specialise in infecting different parts of the body. One causes athlete’s foot, while another is responsible for the graphically named condition ‘jock itch’. Ringworm is transmitted by bodily contact and via moist surfaces. It can usually be treated with anti-fungal medication.
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Main image: illustration of Trichophyton rubrum fungim, which causes ringworm/Getty