Ringworm (dermatophytosis) is a fungal infection of the skin, hair, or nails caused by dermatophytes like Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton. These fungi digest keratin and cause characteristic ring-shaped rashes. Bacteria cause different infections (like staphylococcal or streptococcal), viruses cause conditions like chickenpox or measles, and protozoa cause diseases like malaria or dysentery.