Ringworm

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. The skin infection is caused by a fungus … which, come to think of it, does make ringworm sound a wee bit icky. But if you have ringworm, know that you’re not alone. It’s estimated that 20% to 25% of the world’s population has some form of ringworm at any given moment. (As you might have guessed, the infection is very contagious.) So, how can you conquer ringworm? Let’s find out from dermatologist How to get rid of ringworm Ringworm causes red, ring-shaped patches on your skin. The red splotches typically have a wavy, wormlike border that’s raised or scaly, explains Dr. Vij. The rash is usually a little itchy (but not always). If you have signs of ringworm, you probably want it gone yesterday. The good news? “It’s generally easy to treat,” says Dr. Vij. Look for over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal creams such as Tinactin® ( These creams will: • Clear it up: Use it twice a day, and the infection should start clearing within a few days. • Wipe it out: Keep using the cream morning and night for a month to fully wipe out the fungus and prevent it from making a repeat performance. “Using the creams consistently is the key,” Dr. Vij emphasizes. Most often, an OTC treatment works well to clear up ringworm. If it doesn’t, check in with a healthcare provider. You may have a robust ringworm infection that requires pre...

• To relieve itching, apply a cool compress to the uncomfortable area for 20 to 30 minutes at a time as needed. • Fungi love warmth and moisture, so keep areas affected by ringworm clean and dry. After washing, use a separate towel to dry the infected body part. • As much as possible, don't wear clothing or footwear that can cause you to sweat. • Always shower after you work out to wash away perspiration and dry off thoroughly. • Change all of your clothes every day. • Wash everything you wear or touch in hot water before wearing or using it again. This applies to clothing, towels, and compresses. • Don't cover ringworm with a bandage or other dressing. • Always wash your hands thoroughly after touching an area affected by ringworm. • Throw away any disposable items that might have been infected. • Disinfect items you want or need to keep. You can use an ultraviolet (UV) shoe sanitizer or ozone cabinet for clothes or shoes. Both of these can be purchased online. • To prevent the spread of scalp ringworm, never wear someone else's hat or cap. If your child has ringworm, make sure they don't share sports headgear, such as batting helmets, with teammates. • If you have ringworm of the scalp, use a shampoo with selenium sulfide, such as Selsun Blue. This may make it less contagious. Ringworm is highly contagious, therefore it is very important to do everything you can to prevent it from spreading to another person. Dogs and cats can also get (and spread) ringworm. Over-the-Cou...

When you hear the term " In this article, we'll clear up some of the myths that continue to circulate about Myth 1: Ringworm is caused by a worm Probably the most pervasive ringworm myth, this one stems from the condition's name. Despite its creepy-crawly name, ringworm (also called tinea) is not caused by any worm. The culprit is actually a group of fungi called dermatophytes, which can cause skin infections. Ringworm gets its name from the distinctive ring-like pattern the red spots often form on the skin. Myth 2: Ringworm only affects the skin Although ringworm often does appear on the skin, including the scalp, it can also show up on the fingernails or Myth 3: Everyone with ringworm develops red rings on their skin Some people who are infected do develop the scaly red ring that gives the condition its name -- but not everyone. If you get ringworm infection, you will probably see bumpy red patches around your skin, but they won't necessarily take the shape of rings. On your scalp, ringworm may look more like a flaky red pimple than a ring. Myth 4: Only children get ringworm Children are more likely to get certain types of ringworm, but you can get infected with the Myth 5: Ringworm isn't contagious In fact, the opposite is true. Ringworm spreads easily from person to person, especially in communal areas like locker rooms and neighborhood pools. Ringworm is so contagious, in fact, that you don't even have to touch someone to get infected. The If you share an infected bru...

What are tinea infections? Different fungi, depending on their location on the body, cause ringworm. It is caused by a fungal infection—not an actual worm. Fungi on the skin, hair, and nail bed are called dermatophytes. Also referred to by healthcare providers as Tinea infections, infection on the scalp, arms, legs, face, and trunk is characterized by ring-shaped, red, scaly patches with clearing centers. Tinea infections of the feet, nails, and genital areas are not generally referred to as ringworm, as they may not take on the typical ring shape. There is an increased risk of contracting ringworm and other tinea infections if a person: • Is malnourished • Has poor hygiene • Lives in a warm climate • Has contact with other people or pets that have ringworm • Is immunocompromised by disease or medicine • Plays contact sports, such as wrestling • Uses communal baths or locker rooms What are the most common types of tinea infections? The most common types of ringworm include the following: • Athlete's foot (tinea pedis). This common condition mostly affects teen and adult males. It affects children before puberty less often. Contributing causes include sweating, not drying the feet well after swimming or bathing, wearing tight socks and shoes, and warm weather conditions. Symptoms of athlete's foot may include: • Whitening of the skin between the toes • Scaling of the feet • Itchy rash on the feet • Blisters on the feet • Jock itch (tinea cruris). Ringworm may be hard to cur...

Ringworm of the Body (Tinea Corporis) tinea corporis) causes a rash on the trunk, arms, and legs. It typically starts with a small, scaly area on the skin that itches. The scaly area progresses quickly to form the classic ringworm rash, circular in shape with slightly raised edges. As the rash spreads, the ring will grow outward in a symmetrical circular pattern. If you're exposed to ringworm, you can expect to develop a rash four to 10 days later. Ringworm of the scalp takes a bit longer—between 10 and 14 days. Ringworm of the Hands (Tinea Manuum) Ringworm of the hands ( tinea manuum) tends to affect the back of the hands, causing classic itchy, ring-shaped rashes. Nail Fungus (Tinea Unguium) Nail fungus ( tinea unguium) can affect both fingernails and toenails but is more common in the toes. Also known as onychomycosis, this hard-to-treat fungal infection can cause nails to become discolored, thickened, and brittle. In severe cases, the nail may separate from the nail bed and fall off. Ringworm can be passed to others if they come into contact with the rash or when clothing, towels, combs, or other personal care items are shared. Animals can also spread ringworm to people, including dogs and cats (and most especially kittens and puppies). Hyperpigmentation After the ringworm rash has healed, some people may find a dark mark left in its place. This is called With fungal infections like athlete's foot or nail fungus, the transmission of bacteria can occur simply by walking...

Most cases of ringworm can be treated at home. Over-the-counter antifungals can kill the fungus and promote healing. Effective medications include miconazole (Cruex), clotrimazole (Desenex) and terbinafine (Lamisil). After cleaning the rash, apply a thin layer of antifungal medication to the affected area 2 to 3 times per day or as directed by the package. Spread the treatment beyond the border of the rash by a couple of centimeters and allow the medication to absorb into your skin. Shop for the following products online: • • • It may seem logical to keep ringworm covered with a bandage to prevent spreading the infection. However, bandaging the rash locks in moisture and slows the healing process. Instead, wear comfortable, breathable clothes to speed healing and avoid spreading the rash to other people. This includes loose-fitting, long-sleeve shirts and pants. Because ringworm is highly contagious, you should wash your sheets daily to get rid of the infection faster. Fungal spores can transfer to your sheets and comforter. If you sleep on the same sheets night after night, it can take longer for ringworm to heal, and the infection can spread to other parts of your body. Contaminated bedding can also infect your partner. Use hot water and detergent when washing bedding and any infected clothes. Hot water alone can kill the fungus. As an extra precaution, add borax or bleach to your wash along with regular laundry detergent. Borax and bleach can be purchased from a grocery...

What Is Ringworm? Ringworm is a type of fungal skin infection. tinea infections. When fungus grows in the area of the groin, upper thighs, and buttocks, it is called But when fungus grows anywhere else on the body, it's known as ringworm. Its medical name is tinea capitis when it's on the scalp, and tinea corporis when it's on the rest of the body. On the nails it is known as onychomycosis. What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Ringworm? Ringworm on the skin starts as a red, scaly patch or bump. Over time, it may look like one or more rings with raised, bumpy, scaly borders (the center is often clear). This ring pattern gave ringworm its name, but not every infected person has it. The skin may flake, peel, or crack, and it can itch, sting, burn, or feel uncomfortable. Ringworm on the scalp may start as a small sore that looks like a pimple before becoming patchy, flaky, or scaly. These flakes may look like Sometimes, it causes a pus-filled, boggy mass known as a kerion, which can be confused with Ringworm on the nails may affect one or more nails on the hands or feet. The nails may become thick, white or yellowish, and brittle. What Causes Ringworm? Ringworm is caused by fungi that normally live on the Is Ringworm Contagious? Yes. Ringworm can spread: • from one person to another by skin-to-skin contact, especially in warm, damp environments • to other areas of the body if a person touches the affected area and then touches other body parts, such as the hands • from animals to ...