Friday, February, 10, 2012

Ringworm

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

Dermatophytid; Tinea


Treatment

To care for ringworm:

  • Keep your skin clean and dry.
  • Apply over-the-counter antifungal or drying powders, lotions, or creams that contain miconazole, clotrimazole, or similar ingredients.
  • Don't wear clothing that rubs against and irritates the area.
  • Wash sheets and nightclothes every day while you are infected.

Your health care provider may prescribe pills to treat the fungus if you have:

  • A severe case of ringworm
  • Ringworm that keeps coming back or that lasts for a long time
  • Ringworm in your hair

You may need medicines such as ketoconazole, which are stronger than over-the-counter products. You may also need antibiotics to treat skin infections from strep or staph that are caused by scratching the area.

Infected pets also should be treated.


Support Groups


Expectations (prognosis)

Skin medicine usually treats ringworm within 4 weeks. If your ringworm infection is severe or it does not respond well to self-care, it will usually respond quickly to antifungal pills.


Calling your health care provider

Call your doctor right away if you have any signs of a bacterial infection, which can result from scratching. These signs include swelling, warm skin, sudden worsening in redness of the patches, red streaking, pus, drainage, and fever.

Call your doctor if:

  • You have ringworm on your scalp or beard
  • Your skin does not improve after 4 weeks of self-care
  • The rash spreads and you have diabetes or a weakened immune system due to disease or certain medications

Review Date: 05/24/2011
Reviewed By: Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)