An antifungal medicine taken by mouth is sometimes prescribed if the ringworm infection is widespread or severe. For ringworm skin that is particularly inflamed, a doctor may prescribe an antifungal cream combined with a mild steroid cream. These are good at clearing fungal skin infections such as ringworm. Generally speaking, ringworm and other fungal skin infections are contagious, but not especially so.
Antifungal creams and powders
Warts and verrucas usually clear in time without treatment. Ringworm is also more common in people living in a warm climate. This varies between the different creams, so the instructions should be read carefully.
- Ringworm is treated with antifungal medication available either over the counter or as a prescription.
- However, when their environment gets hot and damp, the fungi start growing uncontrollably.
- Ringworm is characterized by the part of the body affected.
- Yes, you can get ringworm from dogs, cats and other animals like cows, goats or horses.
- Treatment with an antifungal cream usually works well.
- Examining the scales typically confirms ringworm.
Risk factors
Follow your healthcare provider’s treatment plan until the infection clears completely. Several nonprescription (over-the-counter) and prescription antifungal medications are available to treat ringworm. Your healthcare provider can diagnose ringworm by looking at your skin and assessing your symptoms. Over-the-counter and prescription treatments can stop the fungus from spreading to other parts of your body or to others. Ringworm is a common fungal infection.
How to stop ringworm spreading
Fungal infections are also known as ‘jock itch’, ‘tinea’, ‘tinea infections’, ‘dermatophyte infections’ or ‘dermatophytosis’. Ringworm is a fungal skin infection caused by parasites that live on dead skin tissue. Treatment with an antifungal cream usually works well. Ringworm is a skin infection caused by a fungus. While ringworm is usually not serious, it can lead to complications if left untreated or if the infection is severe. The type of medication and duration of treatment will depend on the location and severity of the infection.
Since it can be confused with other types of rashes and skin conditions, diagnostic testing is recommended. The infection often looks like a circular, scaly rash. If required, they can often be cleared more quickly with treatment.
What cures ringworm?
You might be surprised to learn that a fungus — and not a worm — causes ringworm. Let your child’s teachers know they have ringworm. Ringworm is caused by a type of fungi. It’s important to use it for the right amount of time, even if the rash has gone away. Speak to a pharmacist first if you think you have ringworm.
Ringworm treatment
- The infection is caused by fungi, known as dermatophytes, that thrive on the skin, hair, and nails.
- On rare occasions, the ringworm fungus goes deeper into your skin, making it even harder to treat.
- Ringworm can be unpleasant, but antifungal medications will help you get rid of the fungus that causes ringworm.
- Sometimes only one patch of infection occurs.
- Contact a healthcare provider for an appropriate diagnosis.
- The ringworm fungus can live on surfaces for months.
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.
Avoid contact with infected people or animals. A pharmacist can diagnose ringworm, so they should be consulted first and they will tell you whether or not GP advice is needed. The cream should be applied to the affected areas for as long as advised.
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.
Ending treatment too soon can cause ringworm to return and make the infection harder to treat. On rare occasions, the ringworm fungus goes deeper into your skin, making it even harder to treat. More serious infections may require treatment for six to 12 weeks.
Both ringworm and eczema cause itchy, red skin. Eczema and many other skin conditions can resemble ringworm. While ringworm is present on betsomnia casino your skin, you’re still contagious to others. Although ringworm can go away by itself, it’s not common. Wash clothes, sheets and towels in hot water and detergent to prevent ringworm from spreading. The ringworm fungus can live on surfaces for months.
Ringworm can affect various parts of the body, and the symptoms may vary depending on the location of the infection. There is a growing worldwide problem of ringworm or tinea extensively affecting the body, tinea corporis. Unlike ringworm, eczema isn’t contagious and doesn’t spread from one area to another on your body. Oral antifungal medications appear to be safe to take during pregnancy. It’s a fungal infection that gets its name from its ring-like border.
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).