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The ringworm fungi are known as dermatophytes. This is the reason why ringworm is referred to as dermatophysis. This fungi feeds upon the dead cells present in one$%:s skin and hair, leading to a classic round, red lesion in people, with a ring of scale around the edges and normal recovering skin in the center. The name $%:ringworm$%: came about due to the ring of irritated skin which bore a resemblance to a worm. The ring shape is only prevalent in humans whereas in animals, the infection may lead to the skin being dry, scaly and grey or it may take on the appearance of any other kind of skin lesion. The lesion in an animal does not necessarily have to be irritating or itchy.

The spores of the dermatophyte fungi are extremely resilient and enduring in the environment and can live on for years at a stretch. To cause infection, just a skin contact with the spore is needed. The fungus can infect any human or animal but it often takes special advantage of those people with lowered immune capacity or a weak immune system. This often puts people with HIV, people undergoing chemotherapy, those under any kind of medication following an organ transplant or transfusion, highly stressed people and even animals at a much greater risk of getting the fungal infection.

There are several species of dermatophyte fungi each leading to a separate kind of fungal infection. The different species of these fungi come from different kinds of animals or from the soil. Thus, the ringworm species can help determine the source of the fungal infection and also in deciding on the appropriate treatment for the infection.