Medical Services

Fungal Infections & Ringworm

Expert Care for Fungal Infections / Ringworm

There's a fungus among us! Worms don't cause ringworm. Rather, this superficial skin infection, also known as tinea, is caused by fungi called dermatophytes. These are microscopic organisms that have adapted to live on keratin, the hard fibrous protein found in skin and hair WHO. Much like a mushroom growing on the bark of a tree, dermatophytes feed off the dead tissues of your skin, hair, and nails. Ringworm is characterized by a red ring of small blisters or scaly skin that grows outward as the infection spreads. Though children are especially susceptible to catching ringworm, it can affect adults as well. In fact, the World Health Organization estimates that ringworm accounts for roughly half of the estimated 650 million fungal skin infections globally WHO.

Causes of Ringworm

Ringworm is not caused by a worm. It is caused by a fungus. The dermatophytes responsible for ringworm live and spread on the top layer of the skin and on the hair. They grow best in warm, moist areas, such as locker rooms and swimming pools, and in skin folds. According to the WHO, fungi thrive in warm, moist environments such as showers, locker rooms, and swimming pools WHO.

Ringworm is contagious. The Mayo Clinic identifies three primary transmission routes: person to person through direct skin-to-skin contact, animal to human through touching an infected pet or livestock, and object to human through contaminated items like towels, clothing, or sports gear. The fungus is contagious even before symptoms appear Mayo Clinic, which is why early prevention habits matter so much. You can also get ringworm by touching an infected dog or cat, and the CDC recommends taking any pet with suspected ringworm to the veterinarian immediately.

Symptoms of Ringworm

Ringworm of the skin usually causes a very itchy rash. It often makes a pattern in the shape of a ring, but not always. Sometimes it is just a red, itchy rash. On lighter skin, the rash typically appears red; on darker skin, it may appear gray or brown CDC, according to the CDC.
Jock itch (tinea cruris) is a rash in the skin folds of the groin. It may also spread to the inner thighs or buttocks. Johns Hopkins Medicine notes that jock itch may be particularly hard to cure Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Ringworm of the hand looks like athlete's foot. The skin on the palm gets thick, dry, and scaly, and the skin between the fingers may be moist and have open sores. The Cleveland Clinic adds that ringworm on the scalp can cause scaly, itchy bald spots that may become permanent if left untreated, and nail infections can cause nails to thicken, discolor, and become brittle.
Clean, clear skin can be yours. We're a phone call away. Don't let fungal infections like ringworm prevent you from baring your skin.

Diagnosis of Ringworm

If you have a ring-shaped rash, you very likely have ringworm. Your doctor will be able to tell for sure. He or she will probably look at a scraping from the rash under a microscope to check for the ringworm fungus. The WHO confirms that a skin scraping or nail clipping can be examined under a microscope or sent to a laboratory for fungal culture or molecular diagnosis WHO. Further testing is usually only needed if symptoms are severe or don't respond to initial antifungal treatment.

Treatment of Ringworm

Most ringworm of the skin can be treated at home with creams you can buy without a prescription. Your rash may clear up soon after you start treatment, but it's important to keep using the cream for as long as the label or your doctor says. This will help keep the infection from coming back. Mild cases generally clear up within a few weeks, but more serious infections may require treatment for six to twelve weeks Cleveland Clinic, according to the Cleveland Clinic. If the cream doesn't work, your doctor can prescribe oral antifungal pills. Johns Hopkins Medicine notes that nail infections in particular may require weeks or months of oral antifungal medication.

A few important things to keep in mind:

If ringworm is not treated, your skin could blister, and the cracks could become infected with bacteria. If this happens, you will need antibiotics. The CDC also warns that applying corticosteroids to a ringworm infection can actually make it worse CDC by weakening the skin's ability to fight the fungus, so avoid hydrocortisone unless specifically directed by your doctor.
If your child is being treated for ringworm, you don't have to keep him or her out of school or day care. However, the CDC recommends informing the school or teacher so they can help prevent an outbreak.
It's also worth noting that the CDC has flagged a more resistant strain of ringworm spreading internationally, with some cases now reported in the U.S. CDC These infections may not respond to standard antifungal treatments, making professional diagnosis even more important.

How to Prevent Ringworm

Don't share clothing, sports gear, towels, or sheets. If you think you have been exposed to ringworm, wash your clothes in hot water with special anti-fungus soap. Wear slippers or sandals in locker rooms and public bathing areas. Shower and shampoo well after any sport that includes skin-to-skin contact. The CDC specifically advises athletes to shower right after practice, matches, or games and keep all sports gear clean CDC.

Wear loose-fitting cotton clothing. Change your socks and underwear at least once a day. Keep your skin clean and dry. Always dry yourself completely after showers or baths, drying your feet last. If you have athlete's foot, put your socks on before your underwear so that fungi do not spread from your feet to your groin.

Take your pet to the vet if it has patches of missing hair, which could be a sign of a fungal infection. The CDC recommends wearing gloves and long sleeves when handling a pet with ringworm, and having all other household pets checked as well.

If you or someone in your family has symptoms, it is important to treat ringworm right away to keep other family members from getting it. The infection remains contagious as long as fungal spores are present on the skin Healthline, so prompt, thorough treatment is the single best thing you can do to protect your household.

FAQ Fungal Infections & Ringworm

How long does ringworm take to clear up, and what happens if I stop treatment early?

Most mild skin ringworm resolves within two to four weeks with consistent use of topical antifungals. However, more serious infections may require treatment for six to twelve weeks, according to the Cleveland Clinic, particularly when the scalp or nails are involved. The most common mistake is stopping treatment once the rash looks better. The fungus can still be alive beneath skin that appears healthy, and cutting treatment short is one of the primary reasons ringworm recurs. The CDC warns that even after successful treatment, nail infections can return, and people with diabetes face an increased risk of recurrence.

Can ringworm spread to other parts of my body?

Yes, and this is more common than many patients realize. The same dermatophyte fungi can migrate from one body region to another through self-contact. For example, the Cleveland Clinic notes that athlete's foot frequently serves as the origin point for groin and body infections, because the fungus transfers when you touch your feet and then other skin. Ringworm remains contagious to yourself and others as long as fungal spores are present on the skin, so treating every affected area simultaneously is essential.

Should I see a doctor, or can I just use over-the-counter cream?

While most skin ringworm responds to OTC antifungal creams, there are important exceptions. Johns Hopkins Medicine recommends prescription oral antifungals for any infection on the scalp or nails, as topical treatments cannot penetrate deeply enough. You should also see a provider if your rash is widespread, has not responded to two weeks of OTC treatment, or appears unusually inflamed. The CDC has flagged that a more resistant strain of ringworm has been spreading internationally with some cases now appearing in the U.S., and these infections do not always respond to standard antifungals.