ringworm

A contagious fungal infection of the skin caused by various species of Microsporum and Trichophyton fungi. Ringworm is also called dermatomycosis or tinea. The infection commonly affects the scalp (tinea capitis), the body (tinea corporis), beard (tinea barbae), nails (tinea unguium), feet (tinea pedis or athlete's foot) or groin (tinea cruris or jock itch). It causes visible skin sores or patches that are characteristically ring-shaped and reddish with well-defined borders, and may be dry and scaly or moist and crusted.