Ringworm is usually specifically used to describe tinea corporis ringworm of the body , although it can sometimes be used to describe tinea infection in other locations, such as tinea cruris ringworm of the groin.
Ringworm infection can affect both humans and animals. The infection initially appears as red patches on affected areas of the skin and later may spread to other parts of the body.
It may affect the scalp, feet, nails, groin, beard, or other areas. With a skin infection , you may experience the following:. This is called dermatophytic onychomycosis, or tinea unguium. If your scalp is affected, the hair around it may break or fall off, and bald patches may develop. The medical term for this is tinea capitis. Find out more about scalp ringworm and its effects. Three different types of fungi can cause ringworm: Trichophyton , Microsporum , and Epidermophyton.
Humans and animals can contract ringworm after direct contact with this soil. The infection can also spread through contact with infected animals or humans.
The infection is commonly spread among children and by sharing items harboring the fungus. Different types of fungi cause ringworm.
Doctors call ringworm different names depending on where it affects the body:. Your doctor will diagnose ringworm by examining your skin and possibly using a black light to view your skin in the affected area. Depending on the type of fungus, it may sometimes fluoresce glow under black light. Your doctor may prescribe various medications depending on the severity of your ringworm infection. Ringworm of the scalp or nails may require prescription-strength oral medications such as griseofulvin Gris-PEG or terbinafine.
Over-the-counter OTC medications and antifungal skin creams may be recommended for use as well. These products may contain clotrimazole, miconazole, terbinafine, or other related ingredients.
Find antifungal treatments online. In addition to prescription and OTC medication, your doctor may recommend that you care for your infection at home by:. Take an in-depth look at ringworm treatments here. People have used home remedies for ringworm for many years before researchers invented antifungal treatments. Support for use of these remedies is mostly anecdotal. There is no scientific data to support their use over OTC antifungals.
Some people apply apple cider vinegar-soaked cotton balls over affected areas of skin three times a day to treat ringworm. If you want to try this remedy, apply coconut oil one to three times a day. Turmeric is a spice you can mix with water to make an antifungal paste. Apply the paste directly to your skin and allow it to dry. Instead, discuss any you might like to try alongside proven treatments with your doctor.
Learn more about home remedies for ringworm, including powdered licorice. It can take up to 2 weeks before you start noticing symptoms. Fever of The rash appears to be spreading even after treatment. Watchful waiting Watchful waiting is a wait-and-see approach.
Any persistent, severe, or recurring infection should be checked by your doctor. Who to see The following health professionals can diagnose and treat ringworm of the skin: Family medicine physician Pediatrician Dermatologist Nurse practitioner Physician assistant Internist. Exams and Tests Doctors often can easily recognize ringworm by its ring-shaped rash.
Tests for ringworm of the skin include: A KOH potassium hydroxide preparation. This test can help your doctor find out whether a fungus is causing your rash. The doctor will take a sample of your skin by lightly scraping the infected area. The sample is placed on a slide with potassium hydroxide KOH solution and gently heated. If fungus cells are present, the doctor can then see them with a microscope.
A Wood's light exam. This test may be used to see if the rash is caused by a fungus. Your doctor will shine a special light on your skin where you have the rash. Certain kinds of fungi glow under this light. A fungal culture skin culture. This test can identify the type of fungus that is causing your infection. Usually a culture is only done if the diagnosis is difficult or the skin condition is not responding to treatment. This test may take up to 4 weeks, because it takes time for the fungus to grow.
Treatment Overview Most cases of ringworm of the skin, including jock itch and ringworm of the hand, can be treated with creams or ointments that you put on your skin to kill fungi. What to think about You should treat a fungal infection right away. Prevention To prevent ringworm of the skin: Keep your skin clean and dry.
Avoid tight underwear, pants, and panty hose. Always dry yourself completely after showers or baths. After drying your skin with a towel, allow your skin to air-dry before putting your clothes on. You can also use a hair dryer, set on a cool setting, to dry your skin. Do not share clothing, sports equipment, towels, or sheets. If you think you have been exposed to ringworm, wash your clothes in hot water with fungus-killing fungicidal soap. Wear slippers or sandals in locker rooms, showers, and public bathing areas.
Shower and shampoo thoroughly after any sport that requires skin-to-skin contact. If you have athlete's foot , put your socks on before your underwear so that fungi do not spread from your feet to your groin. Also, when toweling off after a shower or bath, dry your feet last. Take your pet to a veterinarian if it has patches of missing hair, which may be a sign of a fungal infection. Household pets can spread fungi that cause ringworm in people.
Home Treatment In most cases, you can treat ringworm of the skin with antifungal creams or ointments. Wash the rash with soap and water, and dry thoroughly. For large areas of blistered sores, use compresses such as those made with Burow's solution available without a prescription to soothe and dry out the blisters. Apply antifungal cream beyond the edge or border of the rash.
Follow the directions on the package. Don't stop using the medicine just because your symptoms go away. If symptoms do not improve after 2 weeks, call your doctor. Medications Most ringworm infections of the skin can be treated at home with nonprescription antifungal creams. Medicine choices The most common antifungals used to treat ringworm of the skin are: Allylamines, such as terbinafine Lamisil. Allylamines come as creams, pills, and gels. Terbinafine also comes as oral granules, which are little grains that can be sprinkled over food and easily swallowed.
Lamisil is available as a cream without a prescription. Oral prescription forms include fluconazole Diflucan and itraconazole Sporanox. Some of these medicines are available without a prescription. Brand names include Micatin and Mycelex. Griseofulvin Grifulvin V. Griseofulvin comes in pill form and requires a prescription. Other antifungals such as tolnaftate Tinactin. Tinactin is available without a prescription and comes in lotion, cream, gel, and spray forms. What to think about People who are taking antifungal pills should have a doctor monitor their blood counts and liver and kidney function during treatment to watch for any harmful side effects.
Fungal diseases of the skin. In ET Bope et al. Philadelphia: Saunders. Ringworm is highly contagious and can spread through contact with other areas of the body and other people. Ringworm remains contagious for some time, even when a person is undergoing treatment for the infection.
Read on to find out about the treatment options for ringworm and how long the infection remains contagious after starting treatment. We also provide tips on how to prevent ringworm from spreading. Ringworm is highly contagious. A person may contract ringworm from an infected pet or another person.
Several different types of fungi can cause ringworm. These fungi are contagious for as long as any of their spores remain alive. Fungal spores can live for 12 to 20 months , so it is important that a person disinfects anything that has come into contact with an infected person or animal. These objects include bedding, couch cushions, clothing, and other fabrics.
While undergoing treatment, a person can cover the lesion to help prevent it from coming into contact with other people or objects in the environment. A dog or cat that receives aggressive treatment for ringworm will remain contagious for about 3 weeks.
If the treatment is milder or inconsistent, the ringworm is likely to remain contagious for longer. Ringworm spreads through direct contact with infected skin or fungal spores. The spores can live on fabrics, including clothing, couch cushions, bedding, and other porous surfaces. They also thrive in damp environments, such as public showers and locker rooms.
As a result, if a person has ringworm, they should avoid touching their groin area or feet. Doing so could cause the ringworm to spread to these parts of the body. A person who contracts ringworm from a pet cannot pass it on to another human. In this case, the fungus can only pass from animal to human.
Just before the rash appears, you may feel some minor burning or itching. Ringworm is generally red, but the rash may be brown or grey in color.
Ringworm of the Body Tinea Corporis. This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing. You get the typical, ring-shaped ringworm rash on the trunk, arms, and legs. The scaly area progresses quickly to form a slightly raised, ring-shaped rash. As the rash spreads, the rings grow in diameter. The skin inside the ring may be clear and appear normal or have red and flaky patches.
Sometimes the rash resembles a bullseye. As the rash progresses small blisters can form, causing oozing and crusting. The rings aren't always circular; they can also grow in an irregular shape. You may have just one ring or several. They can be separate or overlap. Ringworm of the Face Tinea Faciei. Ringworm on the face can take on the classic ring-shaped rash, but not always.
Ringworm in the Beard Area Tinea Barbae. For men, ringworm can also appear in the beard area. Ringworm in the beard area causes crusty, flaky areas of skin.
Ringworm here often forms bumps and blisters that can be confused with acne or folliculitis. Ringworm of the Scalp Tinera Capitis. On the scalp, you won't likely notice a ring. These patches can be red, silvery grey, or crusty yellow. Your hair can get brittle and break or fall out easily.
Very often it causes bald patches. Scalp ringworm is fairly common in toddlers and school-aged children. Instead of a ring-shaped rash, you'll get dry, peeling, itchy skin, especially between the toes.
Your feet might burn or sting. After a while, the sole of your foot may thicken like a callus. Athlete's foot is common in teens and adults, but rare before adolescence. Like athlete's foot, jock itch is caused by the same group of fungi that cause ringworm. It can spread to thighs, buttocks, and stomach. The rash is scaly and raised. It often itches but not always.
It may just feel painful. Jock itch is more common in men than women, and like athlete's foot it is rare in children. Ringworm of the Hands Tinea Manus. Ringworm can also appear on the hands. On the palms and between the fingers, though, you may mistake it for dry skin because of dryness, peeling, and cracking.
You may also notice thickening of the skin, like a callus, as time goes on. Ringworm of the Nails Tinea Unguium. It can happen in both the fingernails and the toenails, but it tends to be more common in the toes. The nails will be discolored, thickened, and brittle. They may lift off of the nail bed. Really serious complications from ringworm are extremely rare. The biggest complication to look for is spreading to other areas of your body. Dark Marks. After ringworm has healed, some people may have a dark mark left where the rash was.
This is called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Some people are more prone to developing post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and it's more common in those with dark complexions. Secondary Infections.
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