Ringworm is a fungal infection of the skin that is characterized by an often itchy, reddish to brownish ring-shaped rash. Ringworm on the body is also known as tinea corporis and is related to other fungal infections such as ringworm of the scalp, athlete's foot and jock itch.
Method 1 of 3: Symptoms and Diagnosis
1Know what to look for. Ringworm has nothing to do with a worm, but is actually a fungal infection. The common symptoms of ringworm include:
- A rash that is itchy, red, scaly, and raised, and which may blister or ooze
- A rash that has clearly defined edges
- The center of the rash is often unaffected skin, which is why the rash is called "ringworm"
- If the rash affects your scalp, patches of hair loss
- If the rash affects your toe or fingernails, discoloration and/or even loss of nails
2Ringworm affects different parts of your body in different ways. The fungus can look different based on its location in your body. Ringworm exists in the beard (tinea barbae), body (tinea corporis), feet (tinea pedis, also called athlete's foot), groin area (tinea cruris, also called jock itch), and the scalp (tinea capitis).
4See a doctor. A skin doctor or dermatologist can often diagnose ringworm by visual inspection. In rare cases, the doctor may choose to examine some skin scrapings under a microscope or order a skin lesion biopsy.
5While seeing a doctor, be prepared to answer questions such as:
- When you first noticed symptoms
- How the rash looked when it first appeared
- Whether the rash is painful or itchy
Method 2 of 3: Treatment
1Get the right medication. Antifungal medications can be purchased without a prescription. Wash and dry the infected area first and then apply an antifungal cream, following the directions (usually twice a day for 7 to 10 days). Make sure to wash and dry your hands after touching the infected area. The following active ingredients can be effective in controlling ringworm:
- Oral medication may need to be prescribed in more severe cases, such as if the infection covers a large area of the body or passes into hair follicles.
2Keep your skin dry and clean. Follow a normal daily routine of cleaning your skin, perhaps with OTC anti-fungal soap, but paying special attention to drying all skin and keeping it dry throughout the day. Fungal infections flourish in damp, dark areas; don't give them an excuse to stick around.
- Special drying powders exist to keep skin free of moisture. Check online, or with your doctor, about any anti-fungal drying powders that you might be able to use.
3Prevent spreading. Wash towels and clothing in warm, soapy water and make sure to use clean clothes and towels. Do not share clothes or towels while infected. Clean bathroom surfaces such as bathtub and sink well after using.
4Try not to irritate skin with tight clothes that chafe. Those favorite pair of hemp underwear you don every Friday? Well, if you have tinea cruris, it's probably a good idea to wait a couple weeks until the ringworm is gone to start another party in your pants.
5Seek further medical advice if there is no improvement. If the infection does not respond to treatment after the first 2-4 weeks, make an appointment to see a dermatologist.Ad
Method 3 of 3: Prevention
1Keep your skin clean and dry. If you know you are susceptible to athlete's foot or another form of ringworm, be sure to clean at least once a week with an anti-fungal soap. Make sure you dry off adequately before you put on your clothes. Allow skin a little bit of time to air-dry before putting on clothes.
- Shampoo regularly, and immediately after hair cuts. Shampoo after exercise that involves physical contact with other people.
2Wear loose-fitting cotton clothing. Cotton breathes really well, making your body inhospitably dry for most fungus species. Tight fitting clothes such as tight underwear or pantyhose is better avoided if you feel you're at risk.
3Socks on before Jockeys if you have athlete's foot. If you have athlete's foot, get in the habit of putting on clean socks before putting on your underwear. Putting on underwear before your socks risks spreading the fungus to your groin area. ¡br>
4Avoid sharing clothing, towels, and sports equipment. Foreign hats, hairbrushes, combs, jockstraps, headgear, or other personal care items should be avoided. If you think you've been exposed to ringworm after wearing a foreign object, wash yourself immediately in anti-fungal soap.
- In locker rooms, wear slippers or flip-flops, especially if you are showering. Locker room showers are notoriously fungal.
5Take your pet to a veterinarian if it has patches of hair missing. If your pet has ringworm, it's worth knowing about. Your pet can communicate the fungus to you and the rest of your family quite easily.AdAd
We could really use your help!
tying yourself up with rope?
web site traffic and advertising?
- Avoid contact with others as the infection is extremely contagious. In most cases ringworm can develop in less than ten minutes.
- Do not apply a bandage over the infected area
- Ringworm can spread to other parts of the body if left untreated, which makes it more difficult to treat.
- Always wash hands after coming in contact with ringworm.
- Infected pets should also be treated.
- Do not share clothing, sports equipment, towels, or sheets.
- Avoid walking barefoot, wear appropriate protective shoes to the beach and wear flip-flops in locker rooms. This is especially important to not spread the infection, or to not become infected.
Categories: Skin Conditions
In other languages:
Español: identificar y tratar una tiña, Português: Identificar e Tratar a Micose, Deutsch: Tinea (Dermatophytose) erkennen und behandeln, Italiano: Identificare e Trattare la Tigna, Français: identifier et traiter la teigne, 中文: 识别并治疗皮肤癣, Русский: определить и лечить стригущий лишай, Nederlands: Ringworm herkennen en behandelen
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 688,740 times.