Tinea is the name for a group of fungal infections, including:
- tinea capitis (ringworm of the scalp)
- tinea cruris (jock itch or ringworm of the groin)
- tinea corporis (ringworm occurring elsewhere on the body)
- tinea pedis (athlete’s foot)
- tinea unguium (a fungal nail infection)
- tinea versicolor (a patchy discoloration of the skin caused by the overgrowth of natural fungus)
Whether or not the tinea will spread to other places on your body depends on the strain of the tinea. With the exception of tinea versicolor - which is caused by your body’s own natural fungi and is therefore not transmissible from person to person - tinea is highly contagious. So if you have a case of tinea yourself, it is important you treat it swiftly to avoid spreading it to others; if a loved one, or even a pet, has a case of tinea, there are plenty of preventative measures that you can take to avoid becoming infected yourself.
Tinea Capitis, Tinea Cruris, and Tinea Corporis
Tinea capitis, tinea cruris, and tinea corporis are all different kinds of ringworm that affect other parts of the body. Though tinea capitis usually infects the scalp and tinea cruris (jock itch) affects the groin or buttocks, there is a risk of the infection spreading elsewhere on the body.
This is because the dermatophytes (a strain of fungi) that cause the condition can easily be passed by skin-to-skin contact. Most commonly, this is the case when a person suffering from ringworm scratches the trademark ring-shaped rash in response to the itching. Once the dermatophytes are on the hands, it is possible for them to spread to other parts of the body - as well as to other people and animals.
To avoid the spread of ringworm to other parts of your body, it is essential to treat the infection as soon as possible. Additionally, wash and dry your hands thoroughly after touching the rash—whether to scratch or to apply treatment—in order to reduce the chance that dermatophytes are transmitted.
Tinea Pedis and Tinea Unguium
While tinea pedis (athlete’s foot) and tinea unguium (a fungal nail infection) are usually restricted to the relevant parts of the body, quick treatment is important to stop the fungal infection from getting worse. The warm, moist environment that our feet often find themselves in—sweaty socks, enclosed shoes, damp surfaces in locker rooms, pools, and communal showers—is perfect for the dermatophytes to thrive in.
This means that, unless treated efficiently and effectively, one toe with a fungal nail infection may spread the condition to another. In some cases - particularly if you pick at your toenails, it may spread to your fingernails, too. Similarly, one small patch of an athlete’s foot between two toes may spread to encompass other toes and even the soles and sides of feet. Because our feet are often close together—in bed, in the shower, using the same towel to dry them—it is easy for infections to spread from one foot to another, too.
Tinea Versicolor
Tinea versicolor usually starts in small spots or patches that will then sometimes join up. If left untreated, the patches of discoloration—which typically affect the upper arms, chest, neck, and back and may be accompanied by itching, scaliness, or discomfort—may spread to other parts of the body.
Treating tinea versicolor properly will lead to the reduction of this discoloration; after treatment, the skin will return to its previous tone. With proper preventative measures, including maintaining the body’s normal fungal levels, it is possible to avoid the spread of tinea versicolor across the body, and the condition can be prevented from recurring.
