Tinea corporis (fungal infection) is commonly called what?

• A. Impetigo
• B. Ringworm
• C. Psoriasis
• D. Scabies

Answer: (B)

Tinea corporis is a fungal skin infection caused by dermatophytes, and it’s commonly called ringworm because the rash typically forms an annular, expanding circle with a raised, scaly border and central clearing. That ring-shaped appearance is the practical clue clinicians use to identify it, even though there’s no actual worm involved. Impetigo would present with honey-colored crusts from bacterial infection, psoriasis shows thick, silvery plaques from an autoimmune process, and scabies causes intense itching with small burrows in skin folds. The ring-like lesion specifically points to ringworm as the best name for this condition.