Ringworm is a condition that causes fungal infection for human, pets, and domesticated animals.
The term ringworm is misleading since the problem is caused by a fungi and not a worm.
Dermatophyte is the fungi that is the main source of the problem and is feeding on keratin.
Keratin makes up the outer layer of the human skin.
Most of the time, these fungus can flourish warm and damp skin.
However, there are times when the fungus can also live directly on the exteriors of hair shafts or inside their interiors.
Some scientists believe that about twenty percent of the population is suffering from ringworm.
Athletes are in danger of having this problem since their skin is always warm and moist.
An athlete that has ringworm should be pulled-out of the competition so that they could not pass infect other athletes.
Ringworm has a symptom of:

• A person that has ringworm will feel Itchy and the affected area is red, raised, scaly patches that may swell.
  They could easily be identified once a part of the skin turns reddish around the exterior that has a normal skin tone in the middle thus creating a form of a ring.
  Sometimes it appears dark and there are times when it does look light.
  
• If the affected area is the scalp or beard then there would be bald spots.
  
• Once the nail is infected, the colors will change.
  

Sign and diagnosis Most of the time a doctor will base its diagnosis from the looks of the skin.
If a test must be conducted, a wood lamp test (usually done inside a darkroom) is used by an expert.
A better way of conducting the test is by scraping the skin and using a microscope to monitor the skin for signs.
Treatment Ringworm can be treated in just a matter of 4 weeks, if the treatment went longer than 4 weeks then it's time for you to consult a doctor for advice.

• In treating the affected area, you have to wash and dry it every day.
  
• Some antifungal lotions, powders or creams that contain miconazole, clotrimazole or related ingredients would work.
  
• It is important to wash the sheets and nightclothes on a daily basis over the period of time that the skin is infected.
  

Some types of ringworm are persistent and can't be handled with over-the counter antifungal treatment.
It would be best to seek treatment from a doctor since prescription-based antifungal products are much stronger than those over-the-counter antifungal products.
In some cases, an antibiotic drug is also given.