Ringworm

Have you noticed expanding red circles on your skin? If so, you might have ringworm.

Ringworm (tinea corporis) is a topical fungal infection. It typically looks like a red circle on your skin. The infection can spread and enlarge while the inner part of the circle returns to normal.1

Smiling woman in white sweater happy after Canesten ringworm treatment

Ringworm symptoms

You might be suffering from ringworm if you notice:

  • Round patches of skin with a red raised edge and a clearer centre
  • Scaly and itchy skin
  • Redness, with scaling at the edge of the rash (inflammation)
  • Raised and blistered skin (this is a symptom of a more severe ringworm infection)
  • Multiple rings (usually associated with a more severe ringworm infection)
  • Inflamed pus-filled sores (usually associated with a more severe ringworm infection) 2,3,4

See a doctor if:

  • You are pregnant or elderly
  • Ringworm lesions cover a large area of your body
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Understanding ringworm

Ringworm is contagious! You can catch it through a cut on skin, direct physical contact with an affected area of skin or contaminated objects 5 like towels and cosmetic products.

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Ringworm treatment

Antifungal creams kill the fungi responsible for ringworm symptoms and allow your skin to heal.

You can quickly relieve your symptoms with easily applied anti-fungal products in cream formulation. They penetrate deep enough to get to the cause of your infection but aren't aggressive to your skin. Start the treatment as early as possible to prevent ringworm from infecting other areas of your skin.6

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Preventing ringworm

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Avoid touching infected areas of your skin. This can spread the infection to other areas.7

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Wash your hands regularly, and after applying an antifungal cream on an affected area of your skin.8

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Prevent excessive sweating by avoiding humid and warm spaces. These conditions are ideal for fungi growth.

Canesten dog with ringworm icon

Ringworm can affect animals, too! Get your pets checked for ringworm by a vet, especially if you notice missing patches of fur. Stay away from animals infected with ringworm.9,10

Facts about ringworm

Canesten ringworm on hand icon

You don’t need to feel alarmed! Despite its name, ringworm has nothing to do with worms! 11

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Ringworm is a fungal infection and requires antifungal medication to get rid of the infection.12

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You can help prevent ringworm (buni) through regular body exfoliation. In this way you deprive fungus of its food source.

REFERENCES:

  1. Tinea Corporis, in: Hainer, B.L., Dermatophyte Infections, in: American Family Physician 2003, vol. 67, Number 1, p. 104
  2. Ibid.
  3. Presentation, Tinea Corporis, in: Buttaravoli, op. cit.
  4. Recognizing ringworm symptoms, in: https://www.healthline.com/health/ringworm
  5. Overview, in: https://www.healthline.com/health/how-long-is-ringworm-contagious
  6. A pharmacist can help with ringworm, in: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ringworm/
  7. How to stop ringworm spreading, in: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ringworm/
  8. Preventing ringworm, in: https://www.healthline.com/health/ringworm
  9. Preventing ringworm, in: https://www.healthline.com/health/ringworm
  10. How to stop ringworm spreading, in: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ringworm/
  11. What is ringworm?, in: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ringworm/
  12. Tinea Corporis, in: Hainer, B.L., Dermatophyte Infections, in: American Family Physician 2003, vol. 67, Number 1, p. 104-105
  13. How you can help treat and prevent athlete's foot yourself, in: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/athletes-foot/
  14. How you can help treat and prevent athlete's foot yourself, in: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/athletes-foot/

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