• Healthy State
  • Careers
  • Education
  • Research
  • Giving
Ochsner Health Ochsner Health
  • About
  • Find A Doctor (current)
  • Find A Location
  • Specialties & Treatments
MyOchsner Logo
Login | Signup
Submit Search magnifying glass icon
Close Search X icon
  •   Home
  • In To Your Health...
  • Food & Fitness
  • Conditions & Treatment
  • Health Trends
  • Prevention & Wellness
  • Women's Health
  • Men's Health
  • Mental Health
  • Parenting
  • I need to...
  • Find A Doctor
  • Find A Location
  • Find A Specialty
  • Schedule An Appointment
  • Pay A Bill
  • Explore
  • About Ochsner
  • Careers
  • Patients & Visitors
  • "To Your Health" Blog
  • Health Resources
  • Medical Professionals
  • Education
  • Philanthropy
  • Community Outreach
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Research
  • Ochsner Health Network
  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Call: 1-866-624-7637
  • Online: Login to MyOchsner
  • Personalize your content
  • patient Edit Persona Persona Chooser
To Your Health

View Newsletter Editions
  • Food & Fitness
  • Conditions & Treatment
  • Health Trends
  • Prevention & Wellness
  • Women's Health
  • Men's Health
  • Mental Health
  • Parenting
Woman scratching

Ringworm Infection: What You Need to Know

Oct 5, 2021 |
By Mai T. Lam, MD
Share Facebook Logo Twitter Logo Pinterest Logo Email Logo

The sound of ringworm is enough to make your skin crawl, but it’s not as creepy or crawly as it may seem. In fact, you might be surprised to learn that a fungus, and not an actual worm, causes ringworm. This common and highly contagious skin infection gets its name from the red, itchy, ring-shaped rash that forms. Read on to learn more about the causes and symptoms of this fungal infection and what you need to know about getting rid of ringworm.

What are the types of ringworm?

Ringworm goes by different names based on which body part it affects. Types of ringworm infections include:

  • Athlete’s foot: Also called tinea pedis, this fungal infection causes an itchy, burning skin rash between your toes and on the soles of your feet. Your skin may become scaly and cracked or develop blisters.
  • Jock itch: Tinea cruris, or jock itch, causes a red, itchy rash in your groin, upper thighs or rectum. Some people get blisters.
  • Scalp ringworm: Tinea capitis affects children more than adults. It causes scaly, red, itchy bald spots on the scalp. If left untreated, the bald spots can grow and become permanent.
  • Body Ringworm: Tinea corporis is a classic round rash with raised edges and a lighter center. Sometimes it can appear similar to eczema. Be sure to see your doctor if the ringworm does not go away after trying medication.

What are the causes of ringworm?

Ringworm is a contagious fungal infection caused by common mold-like parasites that live on the cells in the outer layer of your skin. It can be spread in the following ways:

  • Human to human. Ringworm often spreads by direct, skin-to-skin contact with an infected person.
  • Animal to human. You can contract ringworm by touching an animal with ringworm. Ringworm can spread while petting or grooming dogs or cats. It's also common in cows.
  • Object to human. It's possible for ringworm to spread by contact with objects or surfaces that an infected person or animal has recently touched or rubbed against, such as clothing, towels, bedding and linens, combs and brushes.
  • Soil to human. In rare cases, ringworm can be spread to humans by contact with infected soil. Infection would most likely occur only from prolonged contact with highly infected soil.

Who’s at risk for ringworm?

Ringworm affects people of all ages. You’re more at risk for ringworm if you:

  • Have a weakened immune system
  • Participate in high-contact sports
  • Sweat excessively
  • Use public restrooms or showers
  • Work closely with animals that might have ringworm

What are the symptoms of ringworm?

  • Circular, ring-shaped rash
  • Itchy skin
  • Scaly, cracked skin
  • Redness
  • Hair loss or bald spots

How is ringworm treated?

Ringworm treatment varies depending on which part of your body is infected. Ringworm treatments include:

  • Antifungal creams or powders. Over-the-counter and prescription creams or powders work well on athlete’s foot and jock itch. These products include clotrimazole (Lotrimin®), miconazole (Desenex®) and terbinafine (Lamisil AT®).
  • Oral medication. You will likely need to take this medication for one to three months to get rid of the fungus completely. Oral antifungal medications include fluconazole (Diflucan®), griseofulvin (Griasctin®), itraconazole (Sporanox®) and terbinafine (Lamisil®).
  • Antifungal shampoo. Your doctor may prescribe an antifungal shampoo to stop scalp ringworm from spreading. But using antifungal shampoo alone won’t cure scalp ringworm. You also need to take a prescribed oral antifungal medication. Uninfected family members may also need to use the shampoo to keep from getting ringworm.

Ringworm can be unpleasant, but it's important to follow your doctor’s treatment plan for as long as recommended. Ending treatment too soon can cause ringworm to return and make the infection harder to treat.

To learn more about Dr. Mai Lam or to make an appointment, click here


Tags
skin rashes
ringworm
skin conditions

You may also be interested in:

86510140 Toddlers At Daycare Scaled
Prevention & Wellness
September 4, 2020

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Prevention

There is no vaccine to protect against HFMD. However, you can reduce the risk of getting infected by following a few simple steps.
By Paige Entwisle
Bandage
Prevention & Wellness
February 4, 2021

How To Protect Yourself From Shingles

The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices now recommends all healthy adults 50 years and older be vaccinated against shingles with Shingrix.
By April D. Green, PharmD
Gettyimages 613341332
Conditions & Treatment
September 4, 2020

What is Impetigo?

Impetigo is a common and highly contagious skin infection that mainly affects infants and children.

email envelop icon Comments about the blog? Send us an email!

Ochsner Health

Schedule An Appointment: 1-866-624-7637

Follow us: Facebook Follow Ochsner Health on TikTok Twitter Follow Ochsner Health on Twitter LinkedIn Visit Ochsner Health's LinkedIn page Instagram Follow Ochsner Health on Instagram YouTube Subscribe to Ochsner Health on YouTube Pinterest Follow Ochsner Health on Pinterest TikTok Follow Ochsner Health on TikTok

Healthy living tips, delivered weekly to your inbox.

Sign Up

Patients & Visitors

  • Billing & Financial Services
  • Insurance Information
  • International Patients
  • Request Medical Records
  • Share Your Story
  • Read Patient Stories

Medical Professionals

  • Transfer a Patient
  • Refer a Patient

Health Resources

  • To Your Health Blog
  • Golden Opportunity
  • Healthy State
  • Ochsner Magazine

Job Seekers

  • Career Paths
  • Benefits
  • Open Positions

Employees

  • Webmail
  • OHSLink
  • Workday

Employers

  • Corporate Wellness
  • Medicare Advantage Plans

Community Outreach

  • Classes & Events
  • Programs
  • Community Health Needs Assessment
  • Dr. John Ochsner Discovery Health Sciences Academy

Education

  • Graduate Medical Education
  • Clinical Medical Education
  • Continuing Medical Education
  • Medical Library
  • Publishing Services
  • Medical Illustrations

Research

  • Clinical Trials
  • Applied Health Services Research
  • Clinical Research & Trials
  • Nursing Research
  • Translational Research

Giving

  • Donate
  • Volunteer

About Ochsner

  • Mission & Vision
  • History
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Annual Report
  • Outcomes & Honors
  • News & Media
  • Alumni
  • Ochsner Health Network
  • Contact Us

Shop

  • O Bar
  • Optical Shop
  • Ochsner Fitness Center
  • Brent House Hotel

© Ochsner Health  | Notice of Privacy Practices | Terms of Use | Vendor Information

Ochsner accepts all major insurances.

Ochsner is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, founded on providing the best patient care, research, and education.

We are one of the country’s largest non-university based academic medical centers.

Ochsner is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Community Needs Health Assessment

EpicMobile Tablet | EpicMobile Phone

newsletter icon

Subscribe to Our Newsletters

newsletter icon

Select the newsletters you'd like to receive.

Please select at least one category to continue.

Curious about our newsletters?

View details for each edition
newsletter icon

Let us know where to send your newsletters.

To Your Health- Food and Fitness:
To Your Health- General:
To Your Health- Men’s Health:
To Your Health- Parenting:
To Your Health- Women’s Health:
To Your Health-Mental Health Monthly":
To Your Health- Skin Deep:

Source:
Source Description:
Marketing Goal:
newsletter icon

You're all set!

We’ll send newsletters full of healthy living tips right to your inbox.

Ochsner Health System
magnifying glass icon
ESC to Close

Begin Typing to Search

Select the drop-down to filter Search by Blog Articles or Sitewide