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Table of Contents

Symptoms

Causes

Diagnosis

Treatment

Prognosis

Tinea corporis, orringwormon the body, is a commonfungal infection. The main symptom of ringworm is a ringlike rash. This fungal infection typically affects large body areas, such as the arms and legs.

This article will cover the signs and symptoms of tinea corporis, its causes, how it is diagnosed and treated, and more.

This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZ and ©Raimo Suhonen www.dermnetnz.org 2022

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.

Ringworm marking on the skin

Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZ and ©Raimo Suhonen www.dermnetnz.org 2022

Tinea Corporis Symptoms

The symptoms of ringworm appear differently depending on the area of the body with the infection.

General symptoms include:

Ringworm can affect different body areas and has names based on the body area involved.

Ringworm that affects other body areas, such as the legs or arms, is tinea corporis.

Ringworm might present differently based on skin tone. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, people with light skin tones will have red or pink patches, while people with darker skin tones will have brown or gray patches.

Around 40 different species of fungi lead to ringworm.Common fungi that cause ringworm include species in the genera ofTrichophyton, Microsporum,andEpidermophyton.

The main ways ringworm spreads are:

To confirm a diagnosis of ringworm, the healthcare provider might request additional tests, including:

Antifungalscan treat ringworm. They are available in various formulations. Your healthcare provider will treat your ringworm based on how widespread your symptoms are.

Treatments include antifungal creams and powders, steroid creams, shampoos, and oral medicines, such as:

How to Get Rid of Ringworm

Stop the Spread

Keeping your skin clear canprevent infectionin other body areas and transmission to other people and pets in your household. It will also prevent reinfection once the ringworm has cleared up.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, some self-care methods to manage ringworm are:

To prevent transmitting ringworm to others:

Antifungal medicine can clear ringworm in every body area. It might take longer for some body areas to clear up than others. It is, therefore, essential to follow your healthcare provider’s treatment plan and keep up with any follow-up appointments.

Complications of ringworm are rare. But left untreated, ringworm can worsen and lead to abacterial infection.Signs of asecondary bacterial infectioninclude fever, pain, swelling, redness, and drainage.

If you or a child experience a secondary infection with ringworm, contact a healthcare provider immediately or head to your local emergency department.

Summary

Tinea corporis, or ringworm on the body, is a common fungal infection. It causes a red itchy, ring-shaped, scaly rash on the arms and legs and other large body areas. It can spread easily and quickly to other body areas.

The ringworm rash is contagious and can be transmitted through close contact. You can acquire ringworm from an affected person, animal, or object.

With appropriate treatment, the ringworm can clear up within a few weeks, but it is crucial to finish treatment and reach out to a healthcare provider if the infection doesn’t clear up.

10 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.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of ringworm and fungal nail infections.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Ringworm: overview.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Ringworm: signs and symptoms.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Ringworm and fungal nail infections basics.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Ringworm: who gets and causes.Ely JW, Rosenfeld S, Seabury Stone M.Diagnosis and management of tinea infections.Am Fam Physician. 2014;90(10):702-710.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment of ringworm and fungal nail infections.Anthony R.Natural management of ringworm (tinea) infection.Pharma Science Monitor. 2017;8(4).American Academy of Dermatology Association.Ringworm: 12 tips for getting the best results from treatment.Hay RJ.Tinea capitis: current status.Mycopathologia. 2017;182(1-2):87-93. doi:10.1007/s11046-016-0058-8

10 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.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of ringworm and fungal nail infections.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Ringworm: overview.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Ringworm: signs and symptoms.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Ringworm and fungal nail infections basics.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Ringworm: who gets and causes.Ely JW, Rosenfeld S, Seabury Stone M.Diagnosis and management of tinea infections.Am Fam Physician. 2014;90(10):702-710.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment of ringworm and fungal nail infections.Anthony R.Natural management of ringworm (tinea) infection.Pharma Science Monitor. 2017;8(4).American Academy of Dermatology Association.Ringworm: 12 tips for getting the best results from treatment.Hay RJ.Tinea capitis: current status.Mycopathologia. 2017;182(1-2):87-93. doi:10.1007/s11046-016-0058-8

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.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of ringworm and fungal nail infections.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Ringworm: overview.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Ringworm: signs and symptoms.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Ringworm and fungal nail infections basics.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Ringworm: who gets and causes.Ely JW, Rosenfeld S, Seabury Stone M.Diagnosis and management of tinea infections.Am Fam Physician. 2014;90(10):702-710.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment of ringworm and fungal nail infections.Anthony R.Natural management of ringworm (tinea) infection.Pharma Science Monitor. 2017;8(4).American Academy of Dermatology Association.Ringworm: 12 tips for getting the best results from treatment.Hay RJ.Tinea capitis: current status.Mycopathologia. 2017;182(1-2):87-93. doi:10.1007/s11046-016-0058-8

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of ringworm and fungal nail infections.

American Academy of Dermatology Association.Ringworm: overview.

American Academy of Dermatology Association.Ringworm: signs and symptoms.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Ringworm and fungal nail infections basics.

American Academy of Dermatology Association.Ringworm: who gets and causes.

Ely JW, Rosenfeld S, Seabury Stone M.Diagnosis and management of tinea infections.Am Fam Physician. 2014;90(10):702-710.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment of ringworm and fungal nail infections.

Anthony R.Natural management of ringworm (tinea) infection.Pharma Science Monitor. 2017;8(4).

American Academy of Dermatology Association.Ringworm: 12 tips for getting the best results from treatment.

Hay RJ.Tinea capitis: current status.Mycopathologia. 2017;182(1-2):87-93. doi:10.1007/s11046-016-0058-8

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