Ringworm is most often transmitted through damp areas such as public showers and locker rooms. The second most common means of contracting ringworm is from pets.

If you have a round swollen red ring on your skin and the inside of it appears to be flaking, you might have ringworm. But don’t panic. Ringworm isn’t an actual worm. Ringworm is a fungal disease of the skin and hair.

The worm takes the shape of a ring, hence the name ringworm. Other symptoms of ringworm include sores, itching, and reddened skin. Ringworm can appear on any area of the skin, even the groin area or the feet.

Ringworm can be treated fairly easy with most medicated shampoos or oral medications, as well a number of prescription creams. When using most types of ringworm treatment options, symptoms typically disappear within four weeks of treatment.