A weak immune system or living in a damp, warm climate increases your risk of a fungal infection. They can allow the infection to spread and cover larger sections of skin. These creams weaken your skin’s defenses. If you suspect you or your child has ringworm, don’t use anti-itch creams containing corticosteroids.
This is more common in people with diabetes or other conditions that weaken the immune system. However, some people may experience pain or be bothered by the appearance of their nails. It is estimated that up to 25% of people in the world may experience ringworm at some point in their lifetime. Ringworm also sometimes spreads from one part of the body to another. Onychomycosis can affect the fingernails or toenails, but onychomycosis of the toenails is more common. Emerging strains of dermatophytes causing severe ringworm are a growing public health concern.
If it’s not itchy and annoying, it’s very unlikely the ringworm is fungal. Sometimes several patches of ringworm occur over different parts of the body. In most cases, ringworm develops into a rounded, red, inflamed patch of skin. WHO fungal priority pathogens list to guide research, development and public health action

Emerging severe ringworm

In addition to medication, keeping the affected area clean and dry can help promote healing and prevent the spread of infection. Tinea pedis infections are often endemic in heavy industries and can result in loss of work and complications due to secondary infection. Tinea is one of the commonest dermatological conditions, accounting for a substantial proportion betsomnia casino of skin disease in developing countries.

• Ringworm goes by different names depending on which body part it affects.
• Ending treatment too soon can cause ringworm to return and make the infection harder to treat.
• Many of these cases are resistant to the common antifungal medications, posing an increasing public health problem.
• The infection often looks like a circular, scaly rash.
• Several nonprescription (over-the-counter) and prescription antifungal medications are available to treat ringworm.
• This might be tablets, cream, gel or spray depending on where the rash is.

Antimicrobial stewardship

Most commonly, treatment involves applying salicylic acid or freezing with liquid nitrogen or a cold spray. There is no need to stay off work or school once ringworm treatment has started. Antifungal creams and tablets are covered in more detail in the separate leaflet called Antifungal Medicines.

Management and Treatment

Still, you should check with your healthcare provider before using over-the-counter antifungal creams or powders. The same fungi that cause ringworm can cause jock itch, athlete’s foot, and nail infections. People who have fungal toenail infections often have a fungal skin infection on the foot, especially between the toes. Ringworm, also called tinea, is a common skin infection caused by a group of fungi called dermatophytes.

Antifungal shampoo

The rash may be scaly, dry, swollen or itchy. It may look red or darker than the surrounding skin, depending on your skin tone. You can usually buy medicine from a pharmacy to treat it.
Ringworm, a fungal infection, usually causes a ring-shaped rash. People with diabetes are at increased risk for fungal nail infections. Infections on the foot or between toes are common with nail infections. Try not to scratch the rash, as this may spread the fungus to other areas of the body. The most common symptom of ringworm is the emergence of a small area of infected skin that tends to spread outwards.
There is no evidence that any one cream is better than any other one. The rash may be irritating, itchy and inflamed. Sometimes only one patch of infection occurs.

• The infection is caused by fungi, known as dermatophytes, that thrive on the skin, hair, and nails.
• Ringworm can be unpleasant, but antifungal medications will help you get rid of the fungus that causes ringworm.
• Ringworm can appear on different parts of the body including the scalp, feet (athlete’s foot), and groin (jock itch).
• The ringworm fungus can live on surfaces for months.
• On rare occasions, the ringworm fungus goes deeper into your skin, making it even harder to treat.
• Contact a healthcare provider for an appropriate diagnosis.

Ringworm (tinea)

There is a spreading outbreak of extensive and drug-resistant ringworm in many countries Symptoms of ringworm include itching, redness, and a characteristic ring-shaped rash. Contact a healthcare provider for an appropriate diagnosis.

Additional Common Questions

Ringworm is an itchy, contagious fungal infection that causes a ring-shaped pattern on your skin. They can look at the rash and recommend the best antifungal medicine. In some cases, incorrect treatment can worse the infection.
If you stop treatment or treatment ends too soon, the infection can come back. Antifungal shampoo, such as ketoconazole shampoo (Nizoral A-D®), may stop scalp ringworm from spreading. Antifungals come in various forms like creams, gels or powders.