Ringworm is highly contagious and can be spread multiple ways. You can get it from
an infected person, animal, object, and even soil
. Heat and moisture help fungi grow and thrive, which makes them more common in areas where you sweat. Fungi also grows in skin folds such as those in the groin or between the toes.
How do you get ringworm in the first place?
- from one person to another by skin-to-skin contact, especially in warm, damp environments.
- to other areas of the body if a person touches the affected area and then touches other body parts, such as the hands.
- from animals to people.
Can you get ringworm without being exposed?
Myth 5: Ringworm isn’t contagious
Ringworm spreads easily from person to person, especially in communal areas like locker rooms and neighborhood pools.
Ringworm is so contagious, in fact, that you don’t even have to touch someone to get infected
.
What kills ringworm instantly?
Over-the-counter antifungals
can kill the fungus and promote healing. Effective medications include miconazole (Cruex), clotrimazole (Desenex) and terbinafine (Lamisil). After cleaning the rash, apply a thin layer of antifungal medication to the affected area 2 to 3 times per day or as directed by the package.
What can be mistaken for ringworm?
There are a variety of ringworm imposters that could be causing you or your child’s rash. The two most common conditions are
nummular eczema and granuloma annulare
. Nummular eczema causes circular patches of dry skin that can burn or become dry and scaly.
What are 3 symptoms of ringworm?
- itchiness.
- itchy or scaly patches that are red, brown, or gray, or raised areas of skin called plaques.
- a round, flat patch of itchy skin.
- patches that develop blisters or pustules.
- patches that resemble a ring with deeper color on the outside.
- patches with edges that are defined and raised.
What does ringworm look like when it starts?
Signs and symptoms of ringworm may include:
A scaly ring-shaped area, typically on the buttocks, trunk, arms and legs
. Itchiness. A clear or scaly area inside the ring, perhaps with a scattering of bumps whose color ranges from red on white skin to reddish, purplish, brown or gray on black and brown skin.
What looks like ringworm but isnt?
Other conditions that occasionally look like ringworm include seborrhea, psoriasis, pityriasis, contact dermatitis (such as poison oak), drug reactions, tinea versicolor, vitiligo, erythema migrans (a rash seen in Lyme disease), and even lupus.
How long is ringworm contagious humans?
Ringworm remains contagious
during the first 48 hours of treatment in people and for about 3 weeks from the start of aggressive treatment in pets
. In both cases, untreated ringworm remains contagious for much longer. The fungal spores themselves can live for up to 20 months.
How long does it take ringworm to show up?
How soon do symptoms appear? The incubation period is unknown for most of these agents, however ringworm of the scalp is usually seen
10 to 14 days after contact and ringworm of the body is seen 4 to 10 days after initial contact
.
How long can ringworm live on clothes?
The fungus that causes ringworm can live in humans, dogs, cats, other animals, and soil. The fungus can survive on contaminated objects for long periods of time, sometimes
up to 18 months
.
Can ringworm go away on its own?
There’s no set time limit for a ringworm infection.
Without treatment, it may go away on its own in a matter of months in a healthy person
. Or it may not. Ringworm on the body is usually treated with a topical ointment such as terbinafine.
How do I stop ringworm from spreading?
- Keep your skin clean and dry.
- Wear shoes that allow air to circulate freely around your feet.
- Don’t walk barefoot in areas like locker rooms or public showers.
- Clip your fingernails and toenails short and keep them clean.
- Change your socks and underwear at least once a day.
When does ringworm start itching?
Symptoms typically appear
between 4 and 14 days after the skin comes in contact with the fungi that cause ringworm
.
Can ringworm make you sick?
Some people also get a fever and generally feel unwell
. Although rare, the fungi that cause ringworm can sometimes cause a deeper infection called Mojocchi’s granuloma .
Can you have just one ringworm spot?
It’s common to have just one spot of ringworm
, while nummular eczema often has multiple patches. Ringworm is sometimes mistaken for forms of eczema and other skin conditions, like psoriasis. Unlike nummular eczema, the affected areas don’t vary in color, and the patches don’t burn and sometimes don’t even itch.
Is ringworm always itchy?
Ringworm (dermatophytosis) is a temporary red, circular rash that develops on your skin. It’s caused by a fungal infection. The rash typically appears as a red circle with clear or normal-looking skin in the center.
The rash may or may not itch
, and it may grow over time.
Does ringworm hurt to touch?
The outside might be slightly raised and bumpy. Ringworm on your scalp tends to start out as a bump or small sore. It may turn flaky and scaly, and
your scalp may feel tender and sore to the touch
.
How do I know if I have ringworm or eczema?
One symptom that sometimes helps tell the difference is that
ringworm often produces a scaly, ring-shaped rash, typically on the trunk, arms, or legs
. But nummular, or “discoid,” eczema also produces a round, scaly rash that can look like ringworm.
