Ringworm is a fungal infection that causes a ring shape on the skin and other symptoms. Treatment may vary by the part of the body affected but typically involves oral or topical antifungals.

Ringworm, also known as dermatophytosis, dermatophyte infection, or tinea, is a fungal skin infection.

Read on to learn how to recognize when you have ringworm, its symptoms, causes, treatment, and more.

“Ringworm” is actually a misnomer since a fungus rather than a worm causes the infection. However, its shape on the skin resembles a worm in the shape of a ring, which is how it got its name.

Ringworm typically refers to tinea corporis (ringworm of the body) or tinea capitis (ringworm of the scalp). It’s sometimes used to describe tinea infection in other locations, such as tinea cruris (ringworm of the groin or jock itch).

Ringworm initially appears as discolored, often scaly patches on affected areas. These patches may appear pink-to-red on fair skin tones and brown-gray on skin of color.

Symptoms vary depending on where the infection occurs and may include:

  • itchiness
  • itchy or scaly patches that are red, brown, or gray, or raised areas of skin called plaques
  • a round, flat patch of itchy skin
  • patches that develop blisters or pustules
  • patches that resemble a ring with deeper color on the outside
  • patches with edges that are defined and raised
  • overlapping rings
  • hair loss

Symptoms by type

Ringworm can look different depending on which part of the body is affected. Doctors call ringworm different names depending on where it appears on the body.

  • Ringworm of the body: Tinea corporis often appears as patches with the characteristic round ring shape on your torso or limbs.
  • Ringworm of the scalp: Tinea capitis often starts as isolated scaling in the scalp that develops into itchy, scaly bald patches. It’s most common among children. Hair around the affected area may break or fall off, and bald patches may develop.
  • Ringworm of the beard: Tinea barbae, or barber’s itch, affects your cheeks, chin, and upper neck and can cause bald patches. This may look like acne, folliculitis, or another skin condition. Some people develop fatigue or swollen lymph nodes.
  • Ringworm of the hand: Tinea manuum usually happens when you touch another affected area, such as your groin or foot. Infection of the hand may look like very dry skin with deep cracks on the palm. If the infection spreads, you may see ring-shaped patches on the back of your hand.
  • Jock itch: Tinea cruris is a ringworm infection of the skin around the groin, inner thighs, and buttocks. It’s more common in males and adolescent boys. It usually starts as a discolored rash where your leg and body meet. The itching may intensify after exercise and may not improve after using an anti-itch cream such as a steroid cream. Steroid cream can worsen the jock itch rash.
  • Athlete’s foot: Tinea pedis is a ringworm infection of the foot. It’s frequently seen in people who walk barefoot in public places where the infection usually spreads, such as locker rooms, showers, and swimming pools. It starts as dry, scaly skin between your toes that may spread to your sole and heel. This leads to skin symptoms like itching, stinging, burning, blistering, peeling, and a foul odor.
  • Tinea unguium is a type of fungal ringworm infection of the nails. It affects toenails more than fingernails, as footwear often provides a moist, warm environment that fungi prefer. The affected nails may become thicker or discolored. They may even begin to crack or lift away from the nail bed.

Symptoms by stage

You won’t see ringworm right away when you first pick up the fungus. It can take 1 to 3 weeks before you notice symptoms. Some of the stages you may see include:

  • Initial stage: During this stage, you may have a discolored, irritated skin patch that appears dry and scaly.
  • Second stage: During this stage, the lesion grows in size. The center of the rash may resemble healthy skin with a surrounding circular, scaly area.

It’s important to start treatment when you notice a ringworm infection. Otherwise, the infection may spread.

About 40 different species of fungus can cause ringworm. The most typical types include:

  • Trichophyton
  • Microsporum
  • Epidermophyton

These fungi can live on your skin and other surfaces, particularly damp areas. They may also live for an extended period as spores in the soil.

Is ringworm contagious?

Ringworm fungi are very contagious and can spread to humans in four ways:

  • Human to human: You can get the infection if you come in contact with a person who has ringworm or share their personal items, such as combs or towels. The infection commonly spreads among children and by sharing personal items harboring the fungus.
  • Animal to human: You can get ringworm after touching an animal with the infection or items the animal has come into contact with. Cats and dogs are common sources, but other animals, such as farm animals, can spread fungi as well. The animals pick up the fungus spores from the environment, which transfer to whatever the animal’s hair touches.
  • Object to human: You may get the infection if you come in contact with an object or surface with the fungus, such as a telephone or the floor of a public shower. These fungi thrive in damp environments.
  • Soil to human: Humans and animals can contract ringworm after direct contact with soil carrying the fungi.

Ringworm more commonly affects:

A doctor may diagnose ringworm after examining your skin and possibly using a black light to view the affected area. Depending on the type of fungus, it may glow under black light.

Your doctor may confirm a diagnosis of ringworm with certain tests:

  • With a skin biopsy or skin culture, a doctor takes a sample of your skin or discharge from a blister and sends it to a lab to test for fungus.
  • With a KOH exam, your doctor scrapes off a small area of affected skin onto a slide and places drops of a liquid called potassium hydroxide (KOH) on it. The KOH breaks apart typical skin cells, making the fungal elements easier to see under a microscope.

The treatment depends on the type of ringworm you have and the part of your body it affects.

Medications

A doctor may prescribe topical or oral antifungals, depending on the severity of the ringworm infection and the part of the body it affects.

They may also recommend OTC medications and antifungal creams containing ingredients such as:

  • clotrimazole (Lotrimin)
  • miconazole
  • terbinafine

While getting treatment, make sure to wash your bedding and clothing daily to help disinfect your surroundings. Dry your skin thoroughly after bathing, and wear only loose clothing in the affected areas.

Take an in-depth look at ringworm treatments.

Home remedies

People have long used home remedies for ringworm, such as:

  • apple cider vinegar
  • coconut oil
  • turmeric
  • certain essential oils with antifungal properties

However, these treatments are not scientifically proven, so it’s a good idea to consult with a doctor before trying them. Home remedies shouldn’t replace effective antifungal treatments.

Learn more about home remedies for ringworm.

Treatment during pregnancy

If you get ringworm during pregnancy, doctors typically recommend topical medications such as:

  • ciclopirox (Loprox)
  • clotrimazole (Lotrimin)
  • oxiconazole (Oxistat)

These drugs aren’t known to cause problems for a baby. However, it’s best to consult your doctor before using any medications while pregnant. Doctors usually don’t recommend oral medications like ketoconazole and miconazole due to potential side effects during pregnancy.

You should also talk with your doctor before using any medications if you’re breastfeeding or chestfeeding.

Anyone can get ringworm, but you may have a higher risk if you:

  • live in a warm, humid environment or climate
  • participate in contact sports, like wrestling or football
  • use public showers or locker rooms
  • come in close contact with animals
  • wear tight shoes or clothes that chafe your skin
  • have diabetes
  • have obesity or are overweight
  • sweat excessively
  • have a weakened immune system
  • go barefoot in public showers or pools

Practicing hygienic behaviors like handwashing can help prevent ringworm and other infections. Infections may come from contact with animals and lack of hygiene. Tips to prevent ringworm can include:

  • washing your hands after interacting with an animal
  • disinfecting and cleaning pet living areas
  • limiting contact with people or animals with ringworm if you have a weakened immune system
  • wearing shoes if showering or walking in community areas
  • not sharing personal items like clothing, towels, or hairbrushes with people who might have ringworm
  • changing your socks and underwear at least once a day
  • keeping your gear and uniform clean if you play sports
  • keeping your skin clean and dry

To reduce the chance of transmission, it’s also important to avoid prolonged water exposure in public showers or
pools because wet skin can make you more susceptible to infection.

If left untreated, ringworm can spread to other areas of your body. You may also risk spreading the infection to someone else. Other potential complications include:

  • hair loss and scarring
  • dark marks left on your skin, particularly on darker skin
  • nail deformities
  • secondary infection if any bacteria enter broken skin
  • Majocchi granuloma, a rare infection where the fungus has made its way to deeper layers of the skin

The complications of tinea capitis can be worrisome because it can produce lifelong permanent hair loss. When considering potential complications, it’s best to treat ringworm as quickly as possible.

Other skin conditions can potentially resemble ringworm. They include:

  • Nummular eczema: This kind of eczema is similar to ringworm because it also causes round or coin-shaped lesions on your skin. Often, the only way to tell the difference is to have your doctor take samples of the skin cells and send them to a laboratory for testing.
  • Plaque psoriasis: This disorder causes inflammatory plaques on your skin. Small, isolated plaques can sometimes look similar to ringworm.
  • Granuloma annulare: This common rash resembles ringworm, as it has a raised ring.

Learn more about the differences between ringworm, nummular eczema, and psoriasis.

Skin medications may clear ringworm on your torso and limbs within 2 to 4 weeks.

If you’re experiencing a severe rash that isn’t responding to OTC treatments or home remedies, or if you suspect a tinea infection of your scalp or hair follicles, a doctor may prescribe antifungal pills to clear up the infection.

Most people respond positively to treatment.

What is a ringworm caused by?

Ringworm is not a worm but a contagious fungal infection that causes a worm-like circular shape on the skin. It can spread from person to person, animal to person, soil to person, or object to person.

What gets rid of ringworm?

Doctors recommend typically treating ringworm with fungal medications you apply to the skin. For severe infections, they may recommend oral medications.

Does ringworm go away on its own?

Ringworm can possibly go away on its own, but it’s likely to take longer than with treatment and is more likely with milder cases. It’s also possible for ringworm to spread without treatment and cause lasting complications like hair loss. Learn more about the length of contagion for ringworm.