In many cases, it is possible to prevent ringworm. Some steps that a person can take to prevent this infection include:. A person who has ringworm can spread the infection both to other parts of their body and to other people. To prevent this, people should take the following precautions:. People who have ringworm should avoid sharing their personal items. Some items to avoid sharing include:.
Treatment typically involves the direct application of an antifungal cream to the ringworm lesion. These creams are available over the counter. When applying the cream, people should cover the visible lesion and spread the cream out to 2. People should continue to use the cream for at least 7 days after the lesion has completely cleared.
According to one study , ointments or creams could take about 4 weeks to clear a ringworm infection. However, the exact duration of the infection depends on the location and severity of the lesion. A lesion that forms on an area of the body with little to no hair may resolve in 2—4 weeks with treatment. If the infection is severe or in an area with a lot of hair, it can take longer to heal.
Ringworm that occurs on the scalp requires prescription medicine, such as oral antifungals. The doctor may also prescribe a medicated shampoo. Without treatment, ringworm can disappear within a few months. However, the person is contagious to themselves and others during this time. Ringworm is a highly contagious fungal skin 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.
Selecting these links will take you away from Cigna. Cigna may not control the content or links of non-Cigna websites. Overview Medicare Coverage Options. Broker Resources. Individuals and Families. Health and Wellness. Wellness Library. Ringworm of the Skin. Ringworm Skin Rash. Condition Basics What is ringworm? What causes it?
What are the symptoms? What happens when you have ringworm? How is it diagnosed? How is ringworm treated? Wash the rash with soap and water, and dry it well. For large areas of blistered sores, use compresses such as those made with Burow's solution available over-the-counter to soothe and dry out the blisters.
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How is it different from regular acne? Learn how to identify fungal acne, recognize its symptoms, and treat it at home or with…. An overgrowth of skin fungus can lead to a fungal skin infection, such as athlete's foot, jock itch, or ringworm. The most common symptom is a red…. The tests for candidiasis, an overgrowth of candida yeast that can lead to fungal infection, vary based on the part of the body that is infected…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect.
How Long Is Ringworm Contagious? Medically reviewed by Karen Gill, M. How it spreads Incubation period How long is it contagious? Healing time with treatment and without Treatments for faster healing Prevention Overview Ringworm tinea corporis is an infection of the skin caused by tiny fungus spores that reproduce in the dead outer layers of your skin.
Several different species of fungus can cause tinea. How ringworm spreads. What is the incubation period? How long can you pass it to someone else?
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