Ringworm
Not. A. Worm.
Yes, ladies and gentleman, sorry to say this is a misnomer. Ringworm, or Dermatophytosis, is a fungus rather than a parasite. Psych! It’s not even a specific kind, but a collection of fungi that feed on the keratin of the skin, hair, and/or nails. The same infection on the feet is Athlete’s Foot and of the nails can lead to Onychomycosis.
The distinctive red ring caused by ringworm is actually the fungi spreading outward, while the skin ‘within’ the ring starts to heal.
Fungi are a branch of the tree of life wholly ignored by most undergraduate zoology and medical schools, but they thrive in wet, warm, moist areas similar to most microscopic critters. Topical steroid creams will kill the infection.
Source: Wikipedia
18 Notes/ Hide
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iseestupidpeople1 liked this
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ofpaperandponies said:
Awesome post :D I just got into an argument with someone two days ago insisting that it wouldn’t have been called “ringworm” if it weren’t a worm! Of course not, sir, of course not…
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pestilense posted this
