Once the diagnosis of facial ringworm is confirmed, your physician will probably start treatment with an antifungal medication. Most infections can be treated with topical creams and lotions, including: Terbinafine Clotrimazole Miconazole Econazole Oxiconazole Ciclopirox Ketoconazole Sulconazole Naftifine Rarely, more extensive or long-standing infections may require treatment with oral antifungal pills, including: Terbinafine Itraconazole Griseofulvin Fluconazole The ringworm should go away within 4—6 weeks after using effective treatment.
Bolognia, Jean L. Dermatology , pp. New York: Mosby, Freedberg, Irwin M. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. New York: McGraw-Hill, Use of this site constitutes acceptance of Skinsight's terms of service and privacy policy.
The material on this site is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider.
Close Video. If the cream doesn't work, your doctor can prescribe pills that will kill the fungus. If ringworm is not treated, your skin could blister, and the cracks could become infected with bacteria.
If this happens, you will need antibiotics. If your child is being treated for ringworm, you don't have to keep him or her out of school or day care.
If you or someone in your family has symptoms, it is important to treat ringworm right away to keep other family members from getting it. Ringworm infection is caused by a fungus. Fungi plural of fungus that cause ringworm live and spread on the outer layer of skin.
Ringworm is not caused by a worm or other parasite. Fungi are present everywhere in our environment, including on the human body. They thrive in warm, moist areas, such as locker rooms and swimming pools, and in skin folds. You can get ringworm of the skin by sharing contaminated towels, clothing, and sports equipment, and by direct contact with an infected person.
Ringworm of the skin tinea corporis is most commonly caused by the fungus Trichophyton rubrum , which spreads from one person to another. It can also be caused by Microsporum canis , which is spread by cats and dogs. This type is less common but causes a more severe infection. People often get ringworm of the groin "jock itch" by accidentally spreading athlete's foot fungus to their own groin area.
People who have athlete's foot also commonly spread it to their hands tinea manuum. Some people are more likely to get fungal infections than others.
The tendency to get fungal skin infections or to have them return after treatment seems to run in families. Most ringworm infections cause a rash that may be peeling, cracking, scaling, itching, and red. Sometimes the rash forms blisters, especially on the feet. Jock itch and athlete's foot frequently occur at the same time. Fingernails can also be infected. For more information, see the topic Fungal Nail Infections. Ringworm of the skin may be confused with other conditions with similar symptoms, such as eczema or psoriasis.
Ringworm of the skin can start as a small patch of itchy, red, or scaling skin. The rash can spread and cover a large area. Clothing that rubs the skin can irritate the rash. Sweat, heat, or moisture in the air humidity can make the itching and infection worse. As the infection becomes worse, the ring-shaped pattern and red-brown color may become more visible. If not treated, the skin can become irritated and painful.
Skin blisters and cracks can become infected with bacteria and require antibiotics. After treatment, the rash will go away. But ringworm can return unless you follow steps to prevent it.
Watchful waiting is a wait-and-see approach. If you get better on your own, you won't need treatment. If you get worse, you and your doctor will decide what to do next. You can treat ringworm at home with medicines you can buy without a prescription. If symptoms do not improve after 2 weeks of treatment with this medicine, call your doctor. Doctors often can easily recognize ringworm by its ring-shaped rash.
Your doctor will probably also look at a skin sample KOH preparation under a microscope to confirm that fungus is present. 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.
These are called topical antifungals. You can get many topical antifungals without a prescription. Brand names include Micatin, Tinactin, Mycelex, and Lamisil.
You may need to take antifungal pills oral treatment if the ringworm does not go away after you have tried different topical antifungals or if the infection is widespread. Oral treatments include azoles such as fluconazole Diflucan , allylamines such as terbinafine Lamisil , and griseofulvin Grifulvin V.
Your rash may start to clear up soon after you begin treatment, but it is important to use the medicine exactly as the label or your doctor says. You will probably need to continue treatment for 2 to 4 weeks.
If not treated, ringworm can spread and the skin can become irritated and painful. Skin blisters and cracks can become infected with bacteria. If this happens, you may need to take antibiotics.
You should treat a fungal infection right away. Severe and widespread infections can be hard to treat. In most cases, you can treat ringworm of the skin with antifungal creams or ointments. Many are available without a prescription.
Use a nonprescription antifungal cream with miconazole or clotrimazole in it. Brand names include Micatin, Mycelex, and Tinactin. Terbinafine cream Lamisil is also available without a prescription. If your rash does not clear after you have tried different topical antifungals, or if the infection is widespread, you may need prescription antifungal pills.
If you have both athlete's foot and ringworm of your groin or legs, you should treat both infections. This will prevent you from re-infecting your legs or groin with the athlete's foot fungus, when you put on your underwear. Most ringworm infections of the skin can be treated at home with nonprescription antifungal creams. The rash will usually improve within 2 weeks. If the rash does not improve after you have used an antifungal cream and it is severe and widespread or returns frequently, you may need antifungal pills that your doctor prescribes.
When you are treating ringworm, it is important to finish the full course of medicine prescribed, even if the symptoms have gone away, so that the infection does not return. This prescription medicine should be used with caution and for no longer than 2 weeks, because complications can occur with long-term use of corticosteroids. 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.
Gabica MD - Family Medicine. Author: Healthwise Staff. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.
Updated visitor guidelines. You are here Home » Ringworm of the Skin. Common skin rashes in children. American Family Physician. Ferri FF. Tinea corporis. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor Accessed Aug. Office of Patient Education. Fungal infection: Ringworm of the body. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; Goldstein AO, et al. Dermatophyte tinea infections. Superficial fungal infection. Ringworm risk and prevention.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Kelly AP, et al. Fungal and yeast infections. McGraw-Hill Education;
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