Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsComparing SymptomsRare SymptomsDiagnosisNummular Eczema TreatmentRingworm Treatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Comparing Symptoms
Rare Symptoms
Diagnosis
Nummular Eczema Treatment
Ringworm Treatment
Nummular eczemais often confused with ringworm because both conditions cause a circular rash.However, they are very different conditions.
Your healthcare provider can help diagnose nummular eczema vs. ringworm based on your symptoms. Treatment for nummular eczema usually involves moisturizers or topical corticosteroids while ringworm requires antifungal medication.
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Comparing Nummular Eczema vs. Ringworm Symptoms
While ringworm usually shows up as a couple of circular rashes, nummular eczema often has multiple patches of circular rashes. They tend to show up on skin that is very dry, while ringworm can happen anywhere.
Ringworm patches are also more defined rings and are only sometimes scaly, while nummular eczema rashes are usually always scaly and are typically less defined.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from ©DermNet New Zealandwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet New Zealandwww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Frequent Nummular Eczema Symptoms
Nummular eczemais a chronic condition and is not contagious. The sores can heal in three to four weeks. You’re more likely to experience nummular eczema on extremely dry skin or skin that has been injured. People who have other types of eczema are also more likely to experience nummular eczema.
Common symptoms of nummular eczema include:
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZ and ©Raimo Suhonenwww.dermnetnz.org2022
Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZ and ©Raimo Suhonenwww.dermnetnz.org2022
Frequent Ringworm Symptoms
Ringworm can appear anywhere on the body but is most often found on the feet (athlete’s foot), groin area (jock itch), scalp, hands, nails, and beard. Symptoms tend to start about four to 14 days after exposure to the fungus that causes the infection.
Common symptoms of ringworm include:
Ringworm commonly affects children, but it can affect people of all ages. There are known risk factors that make it more likely for certain individuals to have it. Anyone who has frequent physical contact with others, such as athletes like wrestlers, is more at risk of developing ringworm.
Other risk factors include using public showers and locker rooms, living in a tropical area, sweating heavily, living in close contact with others, sharing towels and razors with others, and havingdiabetesor obesity.
Both nummular eczema and ringworm may also cause rarer symptoms.
Nummular Eczema
One possible complication of eczema is a skin infection. Symptoms of a skin infection include:
Because nummular eczema is so itchy, it’s natural to scratch the skin. However, this puts you at risk of developing an infection.
Ringworm
In addition to an itchy rash, ringworm can also cause hair loss.This happens when the affected patch of skin fills with pus or crusts over. Hair in the affected area then falls out. This is especially common in the scalp and beard area.
How Do Healthcare Providers Tell the Difference?
Ringworm rashes look like a ring and tend to have a defined edge while nummular eczema will appear more like undefined patches. Itching typically tends to be worse with eczema.
How Is Nummular Eczema Treated?
Treatment options for nummular eczema focus on relieving symptoms and preventing flares. There are a range of treatment options, from home remedies to prescription medication.
Home Remedies
Daily moisturizing is considered the first line of treatment for eczema. Hydrating your skin regularly can decrease the itching and swelling associated with eczema.
Look for moisturizers with the followingingredients:
Lifestyle modifications that may relieve eczema symptoms include:
Medication
When moisturizing alone does not improve your eczema symptoms, the next step is to try an OTC medication. Topical corticosteroids come in the form of creams and ointments, and are used to improve itching and swelling. Most topical corticosteroids should be used twice daily.
Hydrocortisone(Cortisone-10 and Cortaid) creams and ointments are common OTC topicals used to improve symptoms of eczema.
Prescription options for eczema include topical steroids, topicalcalcineurin inhibitors, and antibiotics. Prescription steroids have a higher potency than OTC forms. Topical calcineurin inhibitors like pimecrolimus and tacrolimus help block the inflammatory response to the skin and can be used in addition to steroids.
An antibiotic may be prescribed if you have developed a skin infection from scratching. If prescription medications are not helpful, your primary care physician may recommendlight therapyor wet wrap therapy.
How Is Ringworm Treated?
Treatment for ringwormtypically involves antifungal medication. However, there are also lifestyle changes you can make right away to lower your risk of coming in contact with the fungus that causes ringworm.
Are Nummular Eczema and Ringworm Contagious?
The fungus that causes ringworm can live on surfaces, so it is important to avoid touching public spaces with your bare skin. For example, if you choose to shower in your gym locker room, wear flip-flops to avoid touching the shower stall.
Wash your hands frequently, especially after petting animals. Never share personal items like combs or towels. Because ringworm thrives in hot, moist environments, change your socks and underwear daily, and always change out of sweaty or damp clothing right away.
Common forms of ringworm like athlete’s foot and jock itch can often be treated at home with over-the-counter medication. Antifungal creams, lotions, and powders are meant to be used for about two to four weeks. If you have not noticed any improvement after that time, see your primary care physician.
Common topical antifungal treatments that can be purchased without a prescription include:
If your condition doesn’t respond to treatment, see a doctor for a prescription. One form of ringworm that will not respond to OTC topical treatments is scalp ringworm. This type requires a prescription oral antifungal from a physician. These medications often need to be taken for one to three months.
Common prescription antifungal medications include:
Get a Diagnosis Before Trying Topical Corticosteroids at HomeWhile topical corticosteroids are effective at treating eczema, they can actually make ringworm worse. Steroids may improve the itching and swelling, but they cannot kill the fungal infection. This may lead to the infection spreading and weakening your skin’s defenses.Using steroid cream can also cause ringworm to change its appearance. This makes it harder for your primary care doctor to diagnose it and provide the right treatment.
Get a Diagnosis Before Trying Topical Corticosteroids at Home
While topical corticosteroids are effective at treating eczema, they can actually make ringworm worse. Steroids may improve the itching and swelling, but they cannot kill the fungal infection. This may lead to the infection spreading and weakening your skin’s defenses.Using steroid cream can also cause ringworm to change its appearance. This makes it harder for your primary care doctor to diagnose it and provide the right treatment.
While topical corticosteroids are effective at treating eczema, they can actually make ringworm worse. Steroids may improve the itching and swelling, but they cannot kill the fungal infection. This may lead to the infection spreading and weakening your skin’s defenses.
Using steroid cream can also cause ringworm to change its appearance. This makes it harder for your primary care doctor to diagnose it and provide the right treatment.
Summary
Ringworm and nummular eczema are commonly confused with each other because both conditions cause a circular-shaped rash and dry, itchy skin.
If you are experiencing these symptoms, it’s important to see a primary care doctor for diagnosis because the two conditions require different treatments. Both can be treated with home remedies, OTC medications, and prescription medications. However, some treatments like topical corticosteroids used for eczema can make ringworm worse.
Ringworm and nummular eczema share many of the same symptoms, such as round, scaly, itchy patches of skin. However, ringworm has a more defined edge and is usually less itchy.
Ringworm is a fungal infection. Eczema is not an infection, but can potentially lead to one. Chronic scratching of the skin can lead to a bacterial skin infection that requires antibiotic treatment.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Nummular eczema.MedlinePlus.Eczema.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: nummular eczema overview.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Ringworm: diagnosis and treatment.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of ringworm and fungal nail infections.American Academy of Dermatology.Eczema types: Nummular eczema signs and symptoms.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Nummular eczema diagnosis and treatment.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Nummular eczema.Frazier W, Bhardwaj N.Atopic dermatitis: diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician. 2020;101(10):590-598.Seattle Children’s.Ringworm.Ely JW, Rosenfeld S, Seabury Stone M.Diagnosis and management of tinea infections.Am Fam Physician. 2014;90(10):702-710.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Nummular eczema.MedlinePlus.Eczema.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: nummular eczema overview.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Ringworm: diagnosis and treatment.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of ringworm and fungal nail infections.American Academy of Dermatology.Eczema types: Nummular eczema signs and symptoms.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Nummular eczema diagnosis and treatment.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Nummular eczema.Frazier W, Bhardwaj N.Atopic dermatitis: diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician. 2020;101(10):590-598.Seattle Children’s.Ringworm.Ely JW, Rosenfeld S, Seabury Stone M.Diagnosis and management of tinea infections.Am Fam Physician. 2014;90(10):702-710.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Ely JW, Rosenfeld S, Seabury Stone M.Diagnosis and management of tinea infections.Am Fam Physician. 2014;90(10):702-710.
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