A minor case of ringworm, medical name tinea, on the neck of a woman. Ringworm is a fungal infecton of the surface of the skin, particularly the scalp and feet. It is caused by various species of fungi including Microsporum, Trichophyton & Epidermophyton. Ringworm is highly contagious and is spread by direct contact or via infected material. The infection is ringlike, as seen here, and causes intense itching. Athlete's foot, tinea pedis, is perhaps the commonest form of ringworm, followed by tinea capitis, or ringworm of the scalp. They are treated with an antifungal agent.