Ringworm involves a rash caused by a fungal infection. The classic appearance of the ringworm rash is often a red circle. The look of the rash gives ringworm its name. Ringworm doesn’t actually involve any worms. There are three types of ringworm. Ringworm of the body (tinea corporis) is what people are typically referring to when they talk about ringworm. Tinea corporis is related to ringworm of the scalp (tinea capitis), jock itch (tinea cruris), and athlete’s foot (tinea pedis).
Common symptoms of ringworm include:
It’s essential to see a doctor if you’ve been treating suspected ringworm with over-the-counter antifungal medications for two weeks or more with no visible signs of improvement.
Ringworm is contagious and is caused by tiny parasites that live on the skin and rarely cause harm. It’s spread in the following ways:
You may be at a higher risk for ringworm infection if you live in a warm environment, have close contact with an infected animal or human, participate in contact sports, wear tight clothing, or have a weakened immune system.
If your healthcare provider suspects you have ringworm, they may be able to diagnose you simply by looking at your skin. They may also take a skin scraping for laboratory testing.
There aren’t many complications from ringworm. The only thing to be aware of is that it may be difficult to get rid of if you have HIV or AIDS
Ringworm treatment starts with over-the-counter antifungal medication that you can get at your nearby pharmacy. If that doesn’t work, your doctor will prescribe stronger topical medication. In rare cases, you may need oral antifungal medications. Keep the area clean and dry during treatment.
You can help prevent ringworm by practising good hygiene, washing your hands often, staying out of sweaty clothing, refraining from sharing personal items, and avoiding infected animals.