Ringworm (Tinea Corporis)

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Images of Tinea Corporis (Ringworm of Body)

This image displays red, scaly, raised lesions of tinea corporis; these particular lesions are not in their usual ring-shaped form.

This image displays tinea (ringworm), which can be widespread with slight scaling and a relatively sharp edge to the area of involvement.

This image displays the round shape with a scaling, bumpy edge typical of tinea (ringworm).

This image displays an armpit affected with tinea (ringworm).

Tinea often causes scaly, round rings with sharp borders.

The round shape of tinea patches clearly reflects why it has the nickname ringworm. Note the slightly raised edge of the rings typical of tinea infections.

This image displays the scaly border with other smooth, slightly elevated regions typical of tinea corporis (ringworm).

In superficial fungal infections of the skin (tinea corporis), there can be many separate scaly areas of involved skin.

This image displays a large, subtle circle of tinea (ringworm) with a red, bumpy border, as well as another smaller circle of infection near the hairline on the picture's right.

This image displays tinea manuum (hand fungus) with fine, white scaling and tinea corporis (body ringworm) with a circular lesion above the inner wrist.

This image displays the common round shape of tinea corporis that has been covered with a bandage, thus causing it to appear red and moist.

Overview

Tinea infections are commonly called ringworm because some may form a ring-like pattern on affected areas of the body. Tinea corporis, also known as ringworm of the body, tinea circinata, or simply as ringworm, is a surface (superficial) fungal infection of the skin. Ringworm may be passed to humans by direct contact with infected people, infected animals (such as kittens or puppies), contaminated objects (such as towels or locker room floors), or the soil.

There are several kinds of ringworm, including:

Majocchi's granuloma, a deeper fungal infection of skin, hair, and hair follicles. It is most common in women who shave their legs.
Tinea corporis gladiatorum, a special name given to ringworm spread by skin-to-skin contact between wrestlers.
Tinea imbricata, a form of ringworm seen in Central and South America, Asia, and the South Pacific.

Who's at risk?

Ringworm may occur in people of all ages, of all races, and of both sexes.

Ringworm is most commonly seen in children. Other people who are more likely to develop ringworm include:

Women of child-bearing age who come into contact with infected children.
People who have another tinea infection elsewhere on their bodies: tinea capitis (scalp), tinea faciei (face), tinea barbae (beard area), tinea cruris (groin), tinea pedis (feet), or tinea unguium (fingernails or toenails).
Athletes, especially those involved in contact sports.
People in frequent contact with animals, especially cats, dogs, horses, and cattle.
People with weakened immune systems.
People who sweat heavily.
People who live in warmer, more humid climates.

Signs and Symptoms

The most common locations for ringworm include:

Neck
Trunk (chest, abdomen, back)
Arms
Legs

Ringworm appears as one or more red, scaly patches ranging in size from 1–10 cm. The border of the affected skin may be raised and may contain bumps, blisters, or scabs. Often, the central portion of the lesion is clear, leading to a ring-like shape and the descriptive name ringworm (a misnomer since the condition is not caused by a worm).

Ringworm may cause itching or burning, especially in people with weak immune systems.

Self-Care Guidelines

If you suspect that your child has ringworm, you might try one of the following over-the-counter antifungal creams or lotions:

Terbinafine
Clotrimazole
Miconazole

Apply the cream to each lesion and to the normal-appearing skin 2 cm beyond the border of the affected skin for at least 2 weeks until the areas are completely clear of lesions. Because ringworm is very contagious, have your child avoid contact sports until lesions have been treated for a minimum of 48 hours. Do not allow your child to share towels, hats, or clothing with others until the lesions are healed.

Since people often have tinea infections on more than one body part, examine your child for other ringworm infections, such as on the face (tinea faciei), in the groin (tinea cruris, jock itch), or on the feet (tinea pedis, athlete's foot).

Have any household pets evaluated by a veterinarian to make sure that they do not have a dermatophyte infection. If the veterinarian discovers an infection, be sure to have the animal treated.

When to Seek Medical Care

If large areas of the body are affected, or if the lesions do not improve after 1–2 weeks of applying over-the-counter antifungal creams, see your child's doctor for an evaluation.

Treatments Your Physician May Prescribe

In order to confirm the diagnosis of ringworm, your child's physician might scrape some surface skin material (scales) onto a slide and examine them under a microscope. This procedure, called a KOH (potassium hydroxide) preparation, allows the doctor to look for tell-tale signs of fungal infection.

Once the diagnosis of ringworm has been confirmed, the physician will probably start treatment with an antifungal medication. Most infections can be treated with topical creams and lotions, including:

Terbinafine
Clotrimazole
Miconazole
Econazole
Oxiconazole
Ciclopirox
Ketoconazole
Sulconazole
Naftifine
Butenafine

Rarely, more extensive infections or those not improving with topical antifungal medications may require 3–4 weeks of treatment with oral antifungal pills or syrups, including:

Griseofulvin
Terbinafine

The ringworm should go away within 4–6 weeks after using effective treatment.

Trusted Links

Clinical Information and Differential Diagnosis of Tinea Corporis (Ringworm of Body)

References

Bolognia, Jean L., ed. Dermatology, pp.1174-1185. New York: Mosby, 2003.

Freedberg, Irwin M., ed. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 6^th ed. pp.1997-1998, 2239-2243. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2003.