If a kerion is present (a large, tender, swollen lesion) or you have developed a secondary abscess or bacterial infection, your healthcare provider may order additional medicines, such as steroids, to help reduce the swelling. Treatment for scalp ringworm may also involve the use of a special shampoo, to help eliminate the fungus. Treatment for scalp ringworm (tinea capitis) or nail infection (tinea unguium) is hardest to treat and usually includes an oral antifungal medicine for many weeks. Your tolerance for specific medicines, procedures, or therapiesĮxpectations for the course of the condition Your age, overall health, and medical history Ringworm may be hard to cure. Specific treatment will be discussed with you by your healthcare provider based on:
Treatment for ringworm and other tinea infection
In addition, your healthcare provider may order a culture or skin scraping of the lesion to confirm the diagnosis. The lesions of ringworm are unique, and usually allow for a diagnosis simply on physical exam. Ringworm is usually diagnosed based on a medical history and physical exam. How is ringworm and other tinea infection diagnosed? Always talk with your healthcare provider for a diagnosis. The symptoms of ringworm may resemble other skin conditions. The middle of the lesion may become less red as the lesion grows The symptoms of body ringworm may include: This skin infection is characterized by a ring-like rash anywhere on the body or the face. It happens in all ages, but is seen more often in children. It is more common in warmer climates. Symptoms of nail ringworm may include:īody ringworm (tinea corporis).
This condition more often affects the toenails than the fingernails. It happens more often in adolescents and adults rather than young children. An infection of the finger or toe nail, this type is characterized by a thickened, deformed nail. This is caused by a hypersensitivity to the ringworm and may be associated with a rash elsewhere and tender lymph nodes in the neck. Ringworm of the scalp can also develop into a kerion, a large, tender lesion over the area of the initial ringworm. It happens mainly in children between the ages of 2 to 10. Scalp ringworm is highly contagious, especially among children.
Ringworm may be hard to cure. This condition is also more common in males and happens more often during warm weather conditions. Contributing causes include sweating, not drying the feet well after swimming or bathing, wearing tight socks and shoes, and warm weather conditions. It affects children before puberty less often. This common condition mostly affects teen and adult males. The most common types of ringworm include the following:Īthlete's foot (tinea pedis). What are the most common types of tinea infections? Is immunocompromised by disease or medicine Has contact with other people or pets that have ringworm There is an increased risk of contracting ringworm and other tinea infections if a person: Tinea infections of the feet, nails, and genital areas are not generally referred to as ringworm, as they may not take on the typical ring shape. Also referred to by healthcare providers as Tinea infections, infection on the scalp, arms, legs, face, and trunk is characterized by ring-shaped, red, scaly patches with clearing centers. Fungi on the skin, hair, and nail bed are called dermatophytes. It is caused by a fungal infection-not an actual worm. Different fungi, depending on their location on the body, cause ringworm.