About ringworm

What is ringworm?

Ringworm facts

  • Ringworm is a common fungal infection of the skin and is not due to a worm.
  • The medical term for ringworm is tinea. The condition is further named for the site of the body where the infection occurs.
  • Ringworm causes a scaly, crusted rash that may appear as round, red patches on the skin.Other symptoms and signs of ringworm include patches of hair loss or scaling on the scalp, itching, and blister-like lesions.
  • Ringworm can be successfully treated with antifungal medications used either topically or orally.

What are the symptoms for ringworm?

Talk to your doctor if you have a Rash that doesn't begin to improve within two weeks of using an over-the-counter antifungal product. You may need prescription medication.

What are the causes for ringworm?

Ringworm is a contagious fungal infection caused by common mold-like parasites that live on the cells in the outer layer of your skin. It can be spread in the following ways:

  • Human to human. Ringworm often spreads by direct, skin-to-skin contact with an infected person.
  • Animal to human. You can contract ringworm by touching an animal with ringworm. Ringworm can spread while petting or grooming dogs or cats. It's also fairly common in cows.
  • Object to human. It's possible for ringworm to spread by contact with objects or surfaces that an infected person or animal has recently touched or rubbed against, such as clothing, towels, bedding and linens, combs, and brushes.
  • Soil to human. In rare cases, ringworm can be spread to humans by contact with infected soil. Infection would most likely occur only from prolonged contact with highly infected soil.

What are the treatments for ringworm?

If over-the-counter treatments don't work, you may need prescription-strength antifungal medications — such as a lotion, cream or ointment that you apply to the affected skin. If your infection is particularly severe or extensive, your doctor might prescribe antifungal pills.

What are the risk factors for ringworm?

You're at higher risk of ringworm of the body if you:

  • Live in a warm climate
  • Have close contact with an infected person or animal
  • Share clothing, bedding or towels with someone who has a fungal infection
  • Participate in sports that feature skin-to-skin contact, such as wrestling
  • Wear tight or restrictive clothing
  • Have a weak immune system

Is there a cure/medications for ringworm?

Ringworm (tinea corporis) is a skin condition caused by a fungal infection, and no ringworm is involved in it. The name comes from the appearance of circular rashes on the skin.

Here are simple cures and medications to treat ringworm.

  • Topical antifungal: Over-the-counter antifungal creams kill the fungus and promote healing. Effective antifungal medications include miconazole, clotrimazole, and terbinafine.
  • Let it breathe: Wear breathable clothes to speed the healing and avoid spreading the ringworm. Bandaging the rash locks in moisture and delays the healing, so loose-fitting clothes must be worn at all times.
  • Maintain proper hygiene: Because ringworm is highly contagious, you should wash your sheets and clothes daily to get rid of the infection. If you sleep on the same sheets night after night, and wear the same clothes day after day, the infection can spread to other parts of your body. The use of hot water and detergent kills the fungus. Adding borax or bleach can help to get rid of a stubborn infection.
  • Antifungal shampoo: Sometimes, ringworm develops on the scalp causing severe itching, hair loss, boils, and dandruff. Washing your hair with an over-the-counter medicated antifungal shampoo helps to ease the itchiness of the scalp.


Although ringworm is a common skin infection, quick action is necessary to prevent the spread of the fungus. To avoid the spread, one should keep the following in mind.

  • Don’t share personal care items.
  • Wash your hands often.
  • Learn how to recognize ringworm in people and animals.


Symptoms
A scaly ring-shaped area, typically on the buttocks, trunk, arms and legs,Itchiness,Slightly raised, expanding rings on your skin,A round, flat patch of itchy skin,Overlapping rings
Conditions
Fungal infection,Itchy, circular rash with clearer skin in the middle
Drugs
Over-the-counter treatments,Antifungal medications such as a lotion, cream or ointment that you apply to the affected skin,Antifungal pills

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