How to Identify and Treat Ringworm

Ringworm or ringworm is a fungal infection of the skin that is not caused by a worm. Ringworm usually begins as a ring-shaped, red, and itchy rash that can appear anywhere on the body. ^{[1] X Research Source} Mild ringworm can be easily treated at home with an antifungal lotion or cream. ^{[2] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source} However, more serious cases require medical attention and prescription medication. By recognizing the symptoms of ringworm and treating it at home, you can avoid medical treatment.

Table of Contents

Know the symptoms of ringworm

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Identify risk factors. Although anyone can get ringworm, some people have a higher risk of getting a fungal infection. You are at higher risk of ringworm if: ^{[3] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to source}

Less than 15 years old
Living in a crowded and humid place
Contact with people or animals with ringworm
Sharing clothes, bedding, or towels with someone who has ringworm
Participating in direct skin-to-skin contact sports such as wrestling
Wearing tight clothes
Poor immune system

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Watch for scaly patches of skin. In most cases, ringworm is initially a flat, scaly patch of skin. As ringworm grows, the size of the scaly patch will increase. ^{[4] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Realize that ringworm of the scalp often begins as a small, painful pimple-like nodule. You should keep an eye on how the nodule develops. ^{[5] X Research Sources}
Detect patches of skin by palpating the skin with a finger to see if there is a scab-like bump. Patches of skin may also be slightly paler due to scaling. You need to watch to see if the patch of skin is growing or causing itching because that is a sign of ringworm.
Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching suspected ringworm. This step helps prevent it from spreading to other parts of the body.

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Observe the contour of the patch of skin. The scaly skin may have a slightly raised border and spread outward as the infection spreads over the skin. The resulting array will form a shape somewhat like a round ring, so it is called Ringworm (“ring” means ring). ^{[6] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Note that the basic outline of the flaking or fungal infection will be circular, but can also be wavy, like a snake or worm. In addition, the skin may appear many circles connected to each other.
Observe for any itchy patches of skin that are not circular in the groin or feet. These areas of skin can be a sign of more common fungal infections called tinea versicolor and tinea pedis. ^{[7] X Research Sources}
Check the border color and see if there is a darker red than the skin in the patch. This is often the most obvious sign of ringworm.

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Check inside the patch of skin. The inside and outside of most areas of skin with ringworm have different texture or appearance. You need to check the inside of the patch of skin for any of the following signs of ringworm:

Blisters
Purulent discharge ^{[8] X Research source}
Scattered red notes
Scales on the skin
Visible patches of skin ^{[9] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to source}
Bald scalp or broken hair ^{[10] X Research Source}

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Itching and discomfort. One of the most common symptoms of ringworm is intense discomfort and itching, especially near the patch of skin or the site of pain. ^{[11] X Research Sources} If itching and/or discomfort is accompanied by other symptoms, you may have ringworm and need to be diagnosed.

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Check nails. Fingernails and toenails can also become infected with a fungus similar to ringworm. ^{[12] X Research Source} This condition is called onychomycosis. Some signs of a fungal nail infection include: ^{[13] X Research Source}

Thick nails
White or yellow nails
Crispy nails

Conduct treatment at home

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Use topical antifungal lotion or cream. Mild cases of ringworm usually respond well to topical antifungal lotions. These antifungal lotions and creams help relieve symptoms such as preventing and killing the fungus. ^{[14] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Buy a topical antifungal such as Clotrimazpe or Terbinafine at your drugstore or medical device store. Follow the treatment instructions on the package or your doctor’s instructions.
These antifungal lotions and creams work by causing the cell wall of the fungus to become unstable and cause the mucous membrane to leak. This process essentially “kills” the fungus.

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Treatment of ringworm with honey. Applying honey to the affected area can help get rid of or prevent ringworm from coming back. This also helps reduce inflammation caused by ringworm. Apply a little warm honey directly to the ringworm affected area, or spread a layer of honey on a gauze bandage and apply it to the infected skin. ^{[15] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source}

Change the bandage or reapply honey twice daily until the ringworm goes away.

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Garlic wrap. Place a few slices of garlic directly on the ringworm skin and cover it with a gauze bandage. Garlic has antifungal properties, which can help kill the fungus that causes ringworm.

Peel the garlic and cut it into thin slices. Place garlic slices directly on the infected skin and then wrap them with a gauze bandage. ^{[16] X Research Source} Wrap the garlic overnight and do this every night until the ringworm disappears.

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Apply apple cider vinegar. Similar to garlic, apple cider vinegar has healing properties. Applying apple cider vinegar directly to the ringworm area for a few days can help kill the fungus. ^{[17] X Research Source}

Wet a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and apply it on the ringworm skin. ^{[18] X Source of Study} Repeat procedure 3-5 times daily, for 1-3 days.

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Use the mixture to dry the skin affected by ringworm. A mixture of salt and vinegar can kill the fungus. ^{[19] X Research Source} Apply the mixture to the affected area for about a week and see if the mixture helps reduce the infection.

Mix salt with vinegar to form a paste and then apply it directly to the affected area. Leave the mixture on your skin for about 5 minutes and then wash it off with warm water. It can take about a week for the salt and vinegar mixture to kill the fungus.

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Try using essential oils. Tea tree oil and lavender essential oil have strong antifungal properties. You can use either of these essential oils to stop the growth and kill the fungus that causes ringworm. ^{[20] X Research Source}

Mix tea tree oil with water in a 1:1 ratio. Apply this mixture to the affected area for up to 1 week.
Dab lavender essential oil on the ringworm affected area every day. Lavender essential oil may take longer (up to 1 month) to kill the fungus.

Seek medical treatment

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Go to the doctor. You should see your doctor if home treatments don’t help or don’t heal your ringworm, or make it worse. This is the only way to get an accurate diagnosis and a doctor can plan the right treatment to help fight and prevent ringworm. ^{[21] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Conduct a physical examination so that the doctor can detect the symptoms of ringworm. Your doctor may ask about your medical history and factors such as ringworm exposure.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about ringworm or about how ringworm is transmitted.
Remember that ringworm can be spread through direct skin-to-skin contact, contact with bedding, or infected people/objects. Therefore, you need to make sure that the person in the house who has ringworm is also treated to prevent the disease from coming back.

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Receive diagnosis. In most cases, your doctor can diagnose ringworm by testing. However, you may need tests to confirm the diagnosis. The test also helps your doctor come up with the best treatment plan for you. ^{[22] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Your doctor may scrape off some of the skin for microscopic examination. This way, your doctor can identify the fungus and diagnose ringworm, especially if the ringworm is persistent.
If standard treatment doesn’t work, your doctor will run more tests to detect a weakened immune system.

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Use a prescription antifungal lotion or cream. Your doctor may prescribe an antifungal cream or lotion in severe cases of ringworm. Prescription antifungals are stronger than over-the-counter medications and may be more effective in treating ringworm. ^{[23] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source}

Follow dosing instructions if your doctor prescribes an antifungal medication.

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Take antifungal medication. Your doctor may also prescribe oral medications to treat ringworm. These drugs are often used in cases of severe ringworm and are used in combination with creams or lotions. ^{[24] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source}

Take an antifungal medication for 8-10 weeks and follow the dosing instructions. The most common drugs are Terbinafine, Itraconazpe, Griseofulvin and Fluconazpe.
Note that oral antifungal medications can cause the following side effects: diarrhea, indigestion, nausea, and headache.

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Wash your hair with an antifungal shampoo. For ringworm on the scalp, you can take antifungal medication and use an antifungal shampoo. Compared with home remedies, antifungal shampoos are more effective and easier to treat ringworm of the scalp. ^{[25] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source}

Consider using a shampoo containing tea tree oil if an antifungal shampoo cannot be found because tea tree oil has antifungal properties and can help treat ringworm.
Use Selsun Blue shampoo. This shampoo product helps prevent and treat ringworm. Use shampoo 3 times a week and use regular soap the rest of the days. After the ringworm is gone, you can use shampoo twice a week for a while.
- Be careful not to get the shampoo in your eyes and avoid using shampoo on your face.

Ringworm prevention

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Keep the toilet clean. Cleanliness is an important step in the prevention and treatment of ringworm. Simple measures such as washing hands or using separate personal items can help prevent the spread of ringworm to others and prevent recurrence. ^{[26] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

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Clean skin. Ringworm is the result of a parasite that reproduces by eating skin cells. Frequent hand washing and daily bathing can help prevent ringworm from returning. ^{[27] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Use soap and water to wash your skin after using the bathroom or touching public surfaces.
Wear flip-flops or shower shoes when showering at the gym or going to a shared changing room.

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Keep skin completely dry. A humid environment can stimulate the growth of ringworm. Make sure to keep your skin completely dry by using a towel or letting it dry naturally after swimming or bathing. This helps to avoid creating a humid environment for the fungus to grow. ^{[28] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Talc powder or cornstarch, rice flour can keep the skin dry, not watery or sweaty.
Use deodorant and antiperspirant to keep your underarms dry, thereby preventing ringworm.

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Avoid contact. Ringworm is highly contagious, so you need to avoid sharing personal items. This can help prevent ringworm or prevent it from coming back. ^{[29] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Keep towels, bedding, and clothing separate from the sick person. Hairbrushes can also spread ringworm.

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Wear cool, loose clothing. Wear weather-appropriate clothing and choose layers to guard against changes in weather. This helps to prevent sweating, which favors ringworm. ^{[30] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Wear soft, lightweight clothing in the summer. Choose fabrics like cotton that help your skin breathe.
Wear layers in winter or when the seasons change. Wearing layers of clothing will ease off when you feel hot, thereby preventing sweating, which triggers a favorable environment for ringworm. Consider fabrics like Merino wool to keep you warm and dry.

Advice

Avoid scratching the affected area to avoid aggravating the condition and spreading the fungal infection.
Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water whenever you touch a ringworm or patch of skin that you suspect has a fungal infection.
Check and treat pets with ringworm.

Steps

Know the symptoms of ringworm

Conduct treatment at home

Seek medical treatment

Ringworm prevention

Advice

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