My friend's friend has ringworm. If my friend gets it, then I might also get it. How can I tell if I have it, and how can I keep from getting it?

Dear Asley:

Ringworm is very contagious. It is not

caused by a worm, but by a fungus (fungi)

that infects the skin. Fungi are tiny

plantlike microbes too small to be seen

without a microscope.

Ringworm of the scalp can appear as

patchy areas of itchy, scaling skin, possibly

with broken hairs or hair loss. Ringworm

of the skin looks like a reddish ring that is

scaly and itchy. As the infection spreads,

the ring grows and the center heals,

leaving a red ring on the skin.

Ringworm is spread by person-to-person

contact and from shared combs, brushes,

hats, bed linens, and furniture.

People can spread the infection even

before they know they have the disease.

You can also get ringworm from pets.

People (and pets) with ringworm should

be treated with an antifungal medication

recommended by a doctor. Children

being treated for ringworm may attend

school; combs, brushes, hats, etc., should

not be shared.