Ringworm, a fungal infection, usually causes a ring-shaped rash. People with diabetes are at increased risk for fungal nail infections. Infections on the foot or between toes are common with nail infections. Try not to scratch the rash, as this may spread the fungus to other areas of the body. The most common symptom of ringworm is the emergence of a small area of infected skin that tends to spread outwards.

• The cream should be applied to the affected areas for as long as advised.
• The most common species of fungi that cause ringworm are Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton.
• Sometimes fungal skin infections and symptoms of ringworm look similar to other skin rashes, such as psoriasis, discoid eczema or granuloma annulare.
• While ringworm is present on your skin, you’re still contagious to others.
• Fungal infections are also known as ‘jock itch’, ‘tinea’, ‘tinea infections’, ‘dermatophyte infections’ or ‘dermatophytosis’.
• The classic ringworm lesion is an erythematous, raised, scaly ring with central clearing.
• Your healthcare provider can diagnose ringworm by looking at your skin and assessing your symptoms.

Antifungal shampoo

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).

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There is a spreading outbreak of extensive and drug-resistant ringworm in many countries Symptoms of ringworm include itching, redness, and a characteristic ring-shaped rash. Contact a healthcare provider for an appropriate diagnosis.
Several factors can increase the risk of developing ringworm. First reported in India, it has spread widely in communities in South-East Asia and is now increasingly reported in the Middle East, Europe, Africa and the Americas. Prevalence of scalp infection among children in these areas may reach more than 25 % of school children under 10 (2).

Antifungal creams and powders

Ringworm is found in every country but some forms are common in resource-poor tropical settings. While not life threatening, ringworm can be uncomfortable. Yes, you can get ringworm from dogs, cats and other animals like cows, goats or horses.
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.

Risk factors

Ringworm goes by different names depending on which body part it affects. You get ringworm from contact with an infected person, animal or object. It spreads easily and through close contact.

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• Onychomycosis is estimated to affect around 14% of the general population and is especially common in older adults.
• Ringworm will go away if you treat it appropriately.
• A pharmacist can diagnose ringworm, so they should be consulted first and they will tell you whether or not GP advice is needed.
• An antifungal cream can be bought from pharmacies over the counter (OTC) or prescribed.
• It is typically treated with antifungal medications applied directly to the skin, but oral medications may be necessary for severe or widespread infections.

Lesions typically appear red on light skin and look gray or brown on darker skin Multiple lesions might be present. The classic ringworm lesion is an erythematous, raised, scaly ring with central clearing. Onychomycosis is estimated to affect around 14% of the general population and is especially common in older adults.
Ringworm is contagious and extremely common. Ringworm has different names based on where it appears on your body — and it can appear just about anywhere. This type of ringworm affects your arms, legs, torso betsomnia casino and face.

Misdiagnoses and incorrect or delayed treatment allows symptoms to progress. Occasionally, a bacterial infection can occur on top of a fungal nail infection and cause serious illness. Ringworm of the nails usually spreads through a small cut in the skin around the nails. It can be caused by ringworm or by infection with other types of fungi such as yeasts. The most common species of fungi that cause ringworm are Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton. Dermatophytes can also infect nails, leading to a condition known as onychomycosis (fungal nail infection).
There is no evidence that any one cream is better than any other one. The rash may be irritating, itchy and inflamed. Sometimes only one patch of infection occurs.
Your home may require treatment as well. Tea tree oil has antifungal and antimicrobial properties but its effects aren’t well-known. You also need to take a prescribed oral antifungal medication. Despite its name, a fungus causes ringworm. Ringworm on your body is called tinea corporis.

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.
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.