Ringworm (also known as tinea or dermatophytosis) is a common, highly contagious fungal infection of the skin caused by dermatophyte fungi (most often Trichophyton, Microsporum, or Epidermophyton species), not a worm or parasite despite the name. It spreads through direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person or animal, contact with contaminated objects (towels, clothing, grooming tools), or soil in rare cases, and thrives in warm, moist environments. The infection appears as one or more circular, ring-shaped patches with a raised, red, scaly, or bumpy border and clearer or slightly scaly center, often itchy and sometimes with mild blistering or pustules. Common forms include tinea corporis (body ringworm: rings on trunk, arms, or legs), tinea capitis (scalp ringworm: scaly patches with hair loss/breakage), tinea pedis (athlete’s foot: scaling/itching between toes or soles), tinea cruris (jock itch: red, itchy rash in groin/inner thighs), and tinea unguium (onychomycosis: thickened, discolored, brittle nails). It can affect people of any age but is more common in children, athletes, or those with close contact in shared spaces like locker rooms.