What Causes Ringworm

Causes

Ringworm is caused by a fungi, not a worm. It can infect the nails, scalp, and skin. Ringworm spreads easily between people, pets and shared objects.

Person-to-person spread

Ringworm is very common and spreads easily from an infected person to another by:

• Skin-to-skin contact, including sexual contact, with an infected person.
• Contact with an infected pet.
• Sharing contaminated objects like towels and bedsheets.
• Contact with contaminated surfaces like locker room floors.

Personal risk

Some personal habits or behaviors can increase risk for ringworm, such as:

• Going multiple days without showering or bathing.
• Not changing socks and underwear daily.
• Walking with bare feet on publicly shared spaces like dressing rooms.

Athletes

Athletes may have a higher risk for ringworm. Athletic environments and activities create risk factors such as:

• Excessive sweating.
• Close skin-to-skin contact (such as in wrestling).
• Reused equipment that may be contaminated.
• Walking bare feet in locker rooms.