Oregon Esthetician State Board

The medical term for ringworm is tinea corporis, which is a type of fungal infection that affects the skin. Ringworm is characterized by its circular, ring-like appearance on the skin, often with raised, scaly edges and a clear center. The term "tinea" refers to a variety of fungal infections affecting different parts of the body, and "corporis" specifically indicates that the lesion is located on the body, as opposed to other forms like tinea pedis (athlete's foot) or tinea capitis (scalp ringworm).

Other options include conditions that are not related to the specific fungal infection known as ringworm. Psoriasis, for instance, is an autoimmune skin condition that leads to the rapid growth of skin cells, resulting in scales and red patches. Dermatitis refers to inflammation of the skin that can have various causes, often resulting in itchy and irritated skin. Fungal eczema is not a recognized medical term; eczema typically refers to allergic or irritant contact dermatitis, which is distinct from tinea infections. Therefore, tinea corporis is indeed the correct terminology for ringworm.