Tinea corporis

A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• Q
• R
• S
• T
• U
• V
• W
• X
• Y
• Z

Dermatitis, reaction to tinea	Granuloma, fungal (Majocchi's)	Granuloma, fungal (Majocchi's)	Ringworm, tinea corporis on an infant's leg
Ringworm, tinea corporis on the leg	Ringworm, tinea manuum on the finger	Ringworm, tinea on the hand and leg	Tinea corporis - ear
Tinea versicolor - close-up	Tinea versicolor - close-up	Tinea versicolor on the back	Tinea versicolor - shoulders

Fungal infection - body; Infection - fungal - body; Tinea of the body; Tinea circinata; Ringworm - body

Keep the skin clean and dry.

You can buy antifungal cream without a prescription, or your health care provider may prescribe it.

• Wash and dry the area first.
• Apply the cream, beginning just outside the area of the rash and moving toward the center. Be sure to wash and dry your hands afterward.
• Use the cream twice a day for 7 to 10 days.
• Do not use a bandage over ringworm.
• Creams that contain miconazole, clotrimazole, ketoconazole, terbenifine, or oxiconazole are often effective in controlling ringworm.

---

---

Once treatment has started, a child can return to school.

To prevent the infection from spreading:

• Wash all towels in warm, soapy water and then dry them.
• Use a new towel and washcloth every time.
• Clean sinks, bathtubs, and bathroom floors well after using.
• Wear clean clothes every day and do not share clothes

Your health care provider will prescribe medicine taken by mouth to treat ringworm that:

• Is severe or covers a large area of your body
• Passes deeper into the skin to the hair follicle, such as in a beard.

Antibiotics may be needed to treat secondary bacterial infections.

Infected pets should also be treated.

Ringworm usually responds to topical medications within 4 weeks. Severe or resistant cases usually respond quickly to antifungal medicines taken by mouth.

• Bacterial skin infections, cellulitis
• Skin disorders such as pyoderma or dermatophytid
• Spread of tinea to feet, scalp, groin, or nails
• Whole-body (systemic) side effects of medications

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if ringworm does not improve with self-care.

Review Date: 10/04/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).