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 This image displays red, scaly, raised lesions of tinea corporis; these particular lesions are not in their usual ring-shaped form.
This image displays red, scaly, raised lesions of tinea corporis; these particular lesions are not in their usual ring-shaped form.
This image displays tinea (ringworm), which can be widespread with slight scaling and a relatively sharp edge to the area of involvement.
This image displays tinea (ringworm), which can be widespread with slight scaling and a relatively sharp edge to the area of involvement.
This image displays the round shape with a scaling, bumpy edge typical of tinea (ringworm).
This image displays the round shape with a scaling, bumpy edge typical of tinea (ringworm).
This image displays an armpit affected with tinea (ringworm).
This image displays an armpit affected with tinea (ringworm).
Tinea often causes scaly, round rings with sharp borders.
Tinea often causes scaly, round rings with sharp borders.
The round shape of tinea patches clearly reflects why it has the nickname ringworm. Note the slightly raised edge of the rings typical of tinea infections.
The round shape of tinea patches clearly reflects why it has the nickname ringworm. Note the slightly raised edge of the rings typical of tinea infections.
This image displays the scaly border with other smooth, slightly elevated regions typical of tinea corporis (ringworm).
This image displays the scaly border with other smooth, slightly elevated regions typical of tinea corporis (ringworm).
In superficial fungal infections of the skin (tinea corporis), there can be many separate scaly areas of involved skin.
In superficial fungal infections of the skin (tinea corporis), there can be many separate scaly areas of involved skin.
This image displays a large, subtle circle of tinea (ringworm) with a red, bumpy border, as well as another smaller circle of infection near the hairline on the picture's right.
This image displays a large, subtle circle of tinea (ringworm) with a red, bumpy border, as well as another smaller circle of infection near the hairline on the picture's right.
This image displays tinea manuum (hand fungus) with fine, white scaling and tinea corporis (body ringworm) with a circular lesion above the inner wrist.
This image displays tinea manuum (hand fungus) with fine, white scaling and tinea corporis (body ringworm) with a circular lesion above the inner wrist.
This image displays the common round shape of tinea corporis that has been covered with a bandage, thus causing it to appear red and moist.
This image displays the common round shape of tinea corporis that has been covered with a bandage, thus causing it to appear red and moist.

Images of Ringworm (Tinea Corporis) (11)

Graphic content

 This image displays red, scaly, raised lesions of tinea corporis; these particular lesions are not in their usual ring-shaped form.
This image displays tinea (ringworm), which can be widespread with slight scaling and a relatively sharp edge to the area of involvement.
This image displays the round shape with a scaling, bumpy edge typical of tinea (ringworm).
This image displays an armpit affected with tinea (ringworm).
Tinea often causes scaly, round rings with sharp borders.
The round shape of tinea patches clearly reflects why it has the nickname ringworm. Note the slightly raised edge of the rings typical of tinea infections.
This image displays the scaly border with other smooth, slightly elevated regions typical of tinea corporis (ringworm).
In superficial fungal infections of the skin (tinea corporis), there can be many separate scaly areas of involved skin.
This image displays a large, subtle circle of tinea (ringworm) with a red, bumpy border, as well as another smaller circle of infection near the hairline on the picture's right.
This image displays tinea manuum (hand fungus) with fine, white scaling and tinea corporis (body ringworm) with a circular lesion above the inner wrist.
This image displays the common round shape of tinea corporis that has been covered with a bandage, thus causing it to appear red and moist.

Ringworm (Tinea Corporis)

Tinea infections are commonly called ringworm because some may form a ring-like pattern on affected areas of the body. Tinea corporis, also known as ringworm of the body, tinea circinata, or simply as ringworm, is a fungal infection on the surface of the skin. Ringworm may be passed to humans by direct contact with infected people, infected animals (such as kittens or puppies), contaminated objects (such as towels and locker room floors), and the soil.

There are several kinds of ringworm, including:

  • The most common type, which appears as one or more rings on the skin. The edge of the ring is scaly or flaky.
  • Majocchi granuloma, a deeper fungal infection of skin, hair, and hair follicles.
  • Tinea corporis gladiatorum, a name given to ringworm spread by skin-to-skin contact between wrestlers.
  • Tinea imbricata, a form of ringworm seen in Central and South America, Asia, and the South Pacific.


Who's At Risk?

Ringworm may occur in people of all ages, races / ethnicities, and sexes.

Ringworm is most commonly seen in children.

Other people who are more likely to develop ringworm include:

  • Pregnant individuals who come into contact with infected children.
  • People who have another tinea infection elsewhere on their bodies, such as tinea capitis (ringworm of the scalp), tinea faciei (ringworm of the face), tinea barbae (ringworm of the beard area), tinea cruris (ringworm of the groin, or jock itch), tinea pedis (ringworm of the feet, or athlete’s foot), or tinea unguium (ringworm of the fingernails or toenails).
  • Athletes, especially those involved in contact sports.
  • People in frequent contact with animals, especially cats, dogs, horses, and cattle.
  • People with weakened immune systems.
  • People who sweat heavily.
  • People who live in warm, humid climates.

Signs & Symptoms

The most common locations for ringworm include the:

  • Neck.
  • Trunk (chest, abdomen, and back).
  • Arms.
  • Legs.

Ringworm appears as a ring-shaped plaque (a raised area of skin larger than a thumbnail) with a distinct scaly border. Lesions can range in size from 1 cm to 10 cm. In lighter skin colors, the border can be pink or red, whereas in darker skin colors, the border can be dark red, purple, brown, or grayish. The central area may appear as normal skin; in other words, there is no skin color change in the center. The border of the affected skin may contain papules (small firm bumps), vesicles (small fluid-filled blisters), or scabs.

Ringworm may cause itching or burning.

Self-Care Guidelines

If you suspect your child has ringworm, you can try one of the following over-the-counter antifungal creams or lotions:

  • Terbinafine (eg, Lamisil)
  • Clotrimazole (eg, Lotrimin)
  • Miconazole (eg, Micatin)

Apply the cream to each lesion and to the normal-appearing skin 2 cm beyond the border of the affected skin for at least 2 weeks until the lesions completely clear. Because ringworm is very contagious, have your child avoid contact sports until lesions have been treated for a minimum of 48 hours. Do not allow your child to share towels, clothing, and other personal items with others until the lesions are healed.

Because people often have tinea infections on more than one body part, examine your child for other ringworm infections, such as on the face, groin, and feet.

Have any household pets evaluated by a veterinarian to make sure they do not have a fungal infection. If the veterinarian discovers an infection, be sure to have the animal treated.

Treatments

To confirm the diagnosis of ringworm, your child’s medical professional may scrape some surface skin material (scales) onto a slide and examine them under a microscope. This procedure, called a KOH (potassium hydroxide) preparation, allows them to look for signs of fungal infection.

Once the diagnosis of ringworm has been confirmed, your child will likely be started on treatment with an antifungal medication. Most infections can be treated with topical creams and lotions, including:

  • Econazole (Spectazole).
  • Oxiconazole (Oxistat).
  • Ciclopirox (eg, Loprox).
  • Ketoconazole (eg, Nizoral).
  • Naftifine (Naftin).
  • Butenafine (Lotrimin, Mentax).
  • Luliconazole (Luzu).

Sometimes more extensive infections or those not improving with topical antifungal medications may require 3-4 weeks of treatment with oral antifungals, including:

  • Terbinafine (Lamisil).
  • Itraconazole (Sporanox).
  • Fluconazole (Diflucan).

The ringworm should go away within 4-6 weeks after using effective treatment.

Visit Urgency

If large areas of the body are affected or if the lesions do not improve after 1-2 weeks of applying over-the-counter antifungal creams, see your child’s medical professional for an evaluation.

Trusted Links

References

Bolognia J, Schaffer JV, Cerroni L. Dermatology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018.

James WD, Elston D, Treat JR, Rosenbach MA. Andrew’s Diseases of the Skin. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019.

Kang S, Amagai M, Bruckner AL, et al. Fitzpatrick’s Dermatology. 9th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education; 2019.

Paller A, Mancini A. Paller and Mancini: Hurwitz Clinical Pediatric Dermatology. 6th ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2022.

Last modified on March 8th, 2023 at 12:26 am

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