Ringworm symptoms include a variety of easily recognizable markers. It is identified by its red raised patches on the skin, which may be scaly or include blisters. The edges are often sharply defined against the surrounding skin, and are often redder around the edges and closer to your normal skin tone in the middle, creating a ring-like rash. If you are infected in a hairy area, bald patches may be a sign of ringworm.

An infection under the nails is identified by yellow, discolored nails, which may be unusually thick and weak and break easily. Infections on the skin are easily treatable; infections that occur under the nails or on the scalp often involve oral antifungal medication as well as topical creams.

Ringworm symptoms when it occurs on the head usually begins as what appears to be a small pimple on the scalp. Soon, a scaly rash appears that results in temporary bald patches. Sometimes these patches develop into crusty yellow flakes of skin. Scalp ringworm takes much longer than ringworm of the skin to show symptoms after exposure (10-15 days as opposed to the 4-7 of skin ringworm) and is often much more difficult to clear up.

Ringworm causes include exposure to an infected person or animal. Ringworm is very contagious, and can be passed from person to person or from animal to person through physical contact with the infected area. It can also be passed through contact with infected objects such as sheets or hairbrushes. It is caused by a topical fungus, which thrives in warm moist areas. You become more susceptible to ringworm if you often sweat or live in warm moist areas. You are also at higher risk if you have minor abrasive injuries on your scalp or skin.

Ring worm symptoms such as a rash are indicators of a fungal infection. School-aged children are especially at risk for ring worm, since they come into contact with so many other children. Ringworm causes for school athletes can be poorly cleaned locker-room floors (from which they can get athletes foot), and wrestlers are at risk for ringworm of the body because of infected mats. Precautions can be taken to reduce the risk of getting infected, such as wiping mats and locker room floors clean consistently using antifungal products, and athletes should be careful to check regularly for ring worm symptoms.

There are a variety of methods to help clear up ringworm fungus, ranging from topical anti-fungal creams for skin infections to herb-based soaks and ointments to an anti-fungal shampoo and oral anti-fungal medications for scalp infections that treat ringworm symptoms. If you think that you have ring worm symptoms (a ring-like, irritated rash on the skin, itchy balding patches on the scalp or groin, or discolored and brittle nails) and have been exposed to one or more ringworm causes, you should contact your doctor before starting on a regimen of herbal or anti-fungal remedies.

Scott LeRoy has been studying prescription and OTC medications as well as natural remedies for over a dozen years. He is a regular contributor to Skin Diseases, a section of Skin Site dedicated to conventional and alternative treatments of various conditions.