Ringworm

Ringworm is a common skin infection that anyone can get. Ringworm can spread easily but it is also easy to treat with proper care.

At Banner Health, we know how important it is to understand and manage this infection. Learn more about ringworm, how you catch it and how to treat and prevent it.

What is ringworm?

Ringworm is a contagious skin infection that spreads easily through close contact. You can get it from an infected person, animal or contaminated object. 

Despite its name, it’s not caused by a worm. It’s a type of fungal skin infection or tinea infection. The name “ringworm” comes from the ring-like shaped rash it often forms on the skin. 

What causes ringworm?

Ringworm is caused by fungi called dermatophytes. These fungi live on the skin, hair and nails. They thrive in warm, moist areas. That’s why ringworm is more common in places like locker rooms, swimming pools and shared showers.

You can also get it when you share things like towels, clothing or sports gear. Pets like cats and dogs and farm animals like cows and horses can carry the fungus that causes ringworm. In rare cases, you can get ringworm from contaminated soil.

Types of ringworm

Ringworm infection can affect different parts of the body, including the scalp, feet and nails. But it most often occurs in the moist areas of the body and around hair. 

The most common types of ringworm are:

• Body ringworm (tinea corporis): This type of ringworm affects your arms, legs, torso and face. 
• Athlete’s foot (tinea pedi): This type occurs on the feet and between the toes. It can cause itchy, scaly skin and blisters on the feet.
• Jock itch (tinea cruris): This rash occurs in the groin, upper thigh area, or buttocks. This problem is more common in males and people assigned male at birth (AMAB). 
• Scalp ringworm (tinea capitis): This type of ringworm causes itchy, scaly patches and hair loss. 
• Nail infection (tinea unguium or onychomycosis): This is an infection of the toenails and sometimes fingernails. It can cause nails to become thicker, discolored and deformed.

Who gets ringworm?

Anyone can get ringworm. However, it’s more common in children and people who:

• Play contact sports like wrestling (skin to skin contact)
• Use public showers or locker rooms
• Have weak immune systems or autoimmune diseases like lupus 
• Live in warm, humid climates
• Have contact with pets with ringworm
• Have poor hygiene
• Share clothing or objects, such as a brush or towel, with an infected person

What are the signs of ringworm?

Ringworm symptoms can vary depending on the part of the body that is affected. Common signs include:

• Skin: Red, scaly patches that may be round and ring-like. The patches can be itchy and blister or ooze.
• Scalp: Scaly patches that may cause hair loss. Bad cases of scalp ringworm can develop into kerion, pus-filled bumps.
• Feet: Itchy, scaly skin, especially between the toes. The skin may crack and peel.
• Nails: Thick, discolored nails that may be brittle or crumbly. 

See your health care provider or a Banner Health specialist if you are experiencing symptoms of ringworm. 

How is ringworm diagnosed?

Your health care provider can usually diagnose ringworm by asking about your health history and looking at the affected skin. Sometimes, they may:

• Use a special light to check the skin
• Take a skin scraping or sample to look under a microscope or test in a lab

How is ringworm treated?

The treatment of ringworm depends on the infection’s location and how severe it is. Fungi can live for a long time on the skin, so you may have to repeat treatment.   

There are several over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications available to treat ringworm. These may include:

• Topical antifungal medicine: For mild skin infections, over-the-counter antifungal creams, lotions and powders can be effective. Topical products may include clotrimazole, ketoconazole, terbinafine or tolnaftate. 
• Oral antifungal medications: For more severe cases or infections of the scalp or nails, your provider may prescribe an oral (taken by mouth) medication. Oral medications may include fluconazole, itraconazole and terbinafine. They may also prescribe a special shampoo to use along with it.

Use the medicine as long as is recommended by your provider or pharmacist. Don’t stop medication early, even if the rash seems to be better. If you do, the infection may come back and spread to other parts of the body. 

To help heal the skin, keep the affected area clean and dry. Wash the area with soap and water and dry it thoroughly. Change your clothes every day.

How long does ringworm last?

Ringworm usually goes away within 4 weeks of treatment. More serious cases may require treatment for six to 12 weeks. See your health care provider if the ringworm doesn’t improve after a week of treatment or if it spreads or worsens.

Ways to prevent ringworm

You can take steps to prevent ringworm:

1. Keep your skin clean and dry: After excessive sweating or swimming, shower and dry off completely.
2. Avoid sharing personal items: Don’t share towels, bed sheets, clothing, brushes or sports gear.
3. Don’t go barefoot: Wear sandals or flip-flops in locker rooms, public showers and around pools.
4. Change socks and underwear: Wear clean socks, underwear and clothes each day.
5. Handle pets carefully: If your pet has bald spots or scaly skin, take them to the vet. 
6. Wash hands: Good hand hygiene helps prevent the spread of many infections. 

Early treatment is key

Ringworm is a contagious fungal infection that can spread to various parts of the body. Early treatment can prevent it from spreading. If you experience symptoms or need treatment, contact a Banner Health specialist today.