Corticosteroid creams may help reduce inflammation, but they shouldn’t be used to treat ringworm. Over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal creams, gels or powders typically work well. You can get this infection anytime your skin comes into contact with the ringworm fungus on someone else’s skin. This common and contagious skin infection gets its name from the red, itchy, ring-shaped skin plaque (a type of scaly rash).
So, it often looks like a ring that becomes gradually larger – hence the name ringworm. Preventing ringworm involves reducing the risk of exposure and transmission. This sample is then examined under a microscope or sent to a laboratory for fungal culture or molecular diagnosis. Ringworm is usually diagnosed based on its characteristic appearance and symptoms.
Still, you should check with your healthcare provider before using over-the-counter antifungal creams or powders. The same fungi that cause ringworm can cause jock itch, athlete’s foot, and nail infections. People who have fungal toenail infections often have a fungal skin infection on the foot, especially between the toes. Ringworm, also called tinea, is a common skin infection caused by a group of fungi called dermatophytes.
Symptoms
- Globally, fungal skin infections are estimated to affect more than 650 million people at any time and of these, ringworm accounts for over half the cases (1).
- In most cases, ringworm develops into a rounded, red, inflamed patch of skin.
- (It is not due to a worm as its name implies!) There are many types of fungal germs (fungi) and some can infect the skin, nails, and hair.
- The same fungi that cause ringworm can cause jock itch, athlete’s foot, and nail infections.
- Most medications are prescribed for between one and three months.
- Ringworm has different names based on where it appears on your body — and it can appear just about anywhere.
If it’s not itchy and annoying, it’s very unlikely the ringworm is fungal. Sometimes several patches of ringworm occur over different parts of the body. In most cases, ringworm develops into a rounded, red, inflamed patch of skin. WHO fungal priority pathogens list to guide research, development and public health action
Avoid corticosteroid creams
You may need to use an antifungal medicine every day for up to 4 weeks. This might be tablets, cream, gel or spray depending on where the rash is. The main symptom of ringworm is a rash. Diagnostic testing, appropriate prescribing, and patient education helps preserve the limited antifungal medication options. Antimicrobial-resistant ringworm is emerging and is a current public health concern. On examination, ringworm may be difficult to distinguish from other skin conditions, like psoriasis and eczema.
(It is not due to a worm as its name implies!) There are many types of fungal germs (fungi) and some can infect the skin, nails, and hair. Ringworm is typically treated with antifungal medications. A health-care provider may also take a skin scraping or nail clipping to confirm the diagnosis. The infection is caused by fungi, known as dermatophytes, that thrive on the skin, hair, and nails.
Not all ringworm treatments are suitable for everyone. This would normally be used for no more than seven days and an antifungal cream might need to be used alone for a time afterwards. An antifungal cream can be bought from pharmacies over the counter (OTC) or prescribed. This leaflet just deals with ringworm of the skin (sometimes called tinea corporis).
- A health-care provider may also take a skin scraping or nail clipping to confirm the diagnosis.
- Ringworm also sometimes spreads from one part of the body to another.
- Misdiagnoses and incorrect or delayed treatment allows symptoms to progress.
- Lesions typically appear red on light skin and look gray or brown on darker skin Multiple lesions might be present.
- Unlike ringworm, eczema isn’t contagious and doesn’t spread from one area to another on your body.
- So, it often looks like a ring that becomes gradually larger – hence the name ringworm.
Ringworm treatment
There is no evidence that any one cream is better than any other one. The rash may be irritating, itchy and betsomnia casino inflamed. Sometimes only one patch of infection occurs.
Healthy eating
Most commonly, treatment involves applying salicylic acid or freezing with liquid nitrogen or a cold spray. There is no need to stay off work or school once ringworm treatment has started. Antifungal creams and tablets are covered in more detail in the separate leaflet called Antifungal Medicines.
A weak immune system or living in a damp, warm climate increases your risk of a fungal infection. They can allow the infection to spread and cover larger sections of skin. These creams weaken your skin’s defenses. If you suspect you or your child has ringworm, don’t use anti-itch creams containing corticosteroids.
How does ringworm affect pregnancy?
Misdiagnoses and incorrect or delayed treatment allows symptoms to progress. Occasionally, a bacterial infection can occur on top of a fungal nail infection and cause serious illness. Ringworm of the nails usually spreads through a small cut in the skin around the nails. It can be caused by ringworm or by infection with other types of fungi such as yeasts. The most common species of fungi that cause ringworm are Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton. Dermatophytes can also infect nails, leading to a condition known as onychomycosis (fungal nail infection).
Lesions typically appear red on light skin and look gray or brown on darker skin Multiple lesions might be present. The classic ringworm lesion is an erythematous, raised, scaly ring with central clearing. Onychomycosis is estimated to affect around 14% of the general population and is especially common in older adults.