Ringworm symptoms include:¹

• Scaly ring-shaped area, typically on the buttocks, trunk, arms and legs.

• Itchiness.

• Clear or scaly area inside the ring, sometimes with bumps.

• A round, flat patch of itchy skin.

• Overlapping rings.

Ringworm often starts as a small, ring-shaped rash that is scaly, itchy, and raised. Typically, the rings start small and expand outward.² A rash generally appears from 4 to 14 days after contact with an infected person, animal, or surface.³

Ringworm is a fungal infection of the skin, similar to jock itch or athlete’s foot. The fungus thrives in moist locations and is spread from direct contact. You can contract ringworm from an infected person, animal, or surface.⁴

Certain factors put you at a higher risk of ringworm infection including:⁵

• A warm climate.

• Close contact with an infected person or animal.

• Sharing clothing, bedding or towels with someone who has a fungal infection.

• Participating in sports with skin-to-skin contact like wrestling.

• Wearing tight or restrictive clothing.

• A weak immune system.

Mild cases of ringworm will usually clear up within a few weeks, if properly treated. More severe cases may require treatment for 6 to 12 weeks.⁶

Yes, ringworm spreads easily. It can be spread from one part of the body to another. It is highly contagious and can be spread through multiple ways including:⁷ 

• Skin-to-skin contact. 

• Contact with an infected pet, livestock, or other animal.

• Contact with a contaminated surface like a locker room floor or clothing. 

• Sharing objects like a brush, towel, or bedding.

• Contaminated soil.

The fungus that causes ringworm can cause a rash just about anywhere on your body. The rash is called different things depending on where on the body it appears.⁸

• Ringworm on the body, torso, or limps is called tinea corporis. It usually causes a scaly, ring-shaped rash.

• Ringworm on the face is called beard ringworm or tinea barbae. These patches can become crusted over or filled with pus.

• Ringworm on the foot is called athlete’s foot or tinea pedis. It appears as an itchy, burning rash between the toes or on the soles of the feet.

• Ringworm on the scalp is called scalp ringworm or tinea capitis. It causes scaly, red, itchy bald spots on your scalp.

• Ringworm on hands is called tinea manuum. It causes dry, cracked palms and ring-shaped patches. If fingernails become infected they can become thick, discolored, or deformed.

• Ringworm in the groin is called jock itch or tinea cruris. It causes an itchy rash and sometimes blisters.

Ringworm is categorized by a circular rash with rings that are often scaly and itchy. Often ringworm is a flat patch of rash with a raised, round border.⁹

There are some rashes that look like ringworm, but aren’t. Most of these have some characteristics that set them apart from ringworm.

• Nummular eczema. Occurs as circular raised rashes similar to ringworm. Ringworm usually appears as one patch and then spreads. Nummular eczema often pops up as multiple patches.¹⁰

• Pityriasis rosea. Appears as a round, raised, discolored, scaly patch of skin similar to ringworm. As the pityriasis rosea rash progresses, however, smaller round rashes start to develop around the first rash. The pattern resembles a sagging Christmas tree which gives the condition its nickname, the Christmas tree rash.¹¹ 

• Psoriasis. An autoimmune condition, psoriasis is often chronic or reoccurring. Patches of psoriasis rash are not always round and lack an outer ring that ringworm is known for.¹²

• Granuloma annulare. Appears as a raised, discolored rash or lumps under your skin. It can be round, but not always. Ringworm rashes tend to be more scaly than a granuloma annulare rash.¹³

• Lyme disease or tick bite. A tick bite that causes an infection or Lyme disease often has the appearance of a target – a circular rash in the middle with a ring around it. It is not usually scaly, itchy, or raised like ringworm.¹⁴ 

Yes, ringworm is highly contagious. If the ringworm rash is present on the skin, it is contagious. Ringworm can also live on surfaces, clothing, and even in soil. Ringworm can spread through contact with any infected person, animal, surface, or soil.¹⁵

It is possible for ringworm to go away on its own, but it is rare. Treatment is usually required.¹⁶

With proper treatment, most cases of ringworm will go away within a few weeks. Severe cases may take 6 to 12 weeks to resolve.¹⁷

The fungus that causes ringworm thrives in damp, warm areas. A few ways to prevent ringworm include:¹⁸

• Changing your socks and underwear at least daily.

• Showering immediately after contact sports or exercise.

• Wearing sandals or shower shoes at the pool, locker rooms, and public showers.

• Drying your skin thoroughly after showering.

• Avoiding sharing towels, washcloths, sheets, clothes, combs or other personal hygiene items.

• Washing clothes, athletic gear, sheets and towels in hot water and detergent.

• Disinfecting surfaces with bleach or antifungal sprays.

• Treating pets for ringworm.

• Washing hands thoroughly after contact with animals or public surfaces.

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Antifungal treatments will get rid of ringworm. These medications are available in over-the-counter topical medications, prescription topicals, and prescription oral antifungals.

Options for antifungal creams, gels, or powders for ringworm include:¹⁹

• Ketoconazole 2% Cream (Nizoral®)

• Clotrimazole (Lotrimin® or Mycelex®)

• Miconazole (Desenex®)

• Terbinafine (Lamisil AT®)

• Tolnaftate (Tinactin®)

Prescription oral antifungal treatments include:²⁰

• Fluconazole (Diflucan®)

• Griseofulvin (Griasctin®)

• Itraconazole (Sporanox®)

• Terbinafine (Lamisil®)

There are over-the-counter (OTC) ringworm treatments available that can be used at home. Many topical antifungals are available without a prescription.²¹

If you need prescription treatment or want to confirm your diagnosis, you can start a low-cost $39 online doctor consultation with a RedBox Rx medical provider from the privacy of your own home.

Left untreated, ringworm can spread throughout the body and to other people or animals. In the case of ringworm of the scalp, untreated ringworm can lead to hair loss and scarring.²²

You can stop ringworm from spreading by avoiding the most common ways the infection is spread, including:²³

• Skin-to-skin contact with an infected individual.

• Contact with an infected pet, livestock, or other animal.

• Contact with a contaminated surface like a locker room floor or clothing.

• Sharing objects like a brush, towel, or bedding.

• Contaminated soil.

Ringworm will continue to be contagious until the infection and rash are completely cleared up. Continue treatment until rash clears up or follow your prescriber’s instructions.²⁴

Telehealth providers, like RedBox Rx, allow you to connect with a licensed provider anywhere you have an internet connection. We offer a variety of topical and oral treatments for ringworm. If medication is prescribed, it can be shipped directly to you or you can select your local pharmacy for pickup. Start an online consult now.

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View our telehealth and online pharmacy FAQs here.