Treatment:

To care for ringworm:

• Keep your skin clean and dry.
• Apply over-the-counter antifungal or drying powders, lotions, or creams that contain miconazole, clotrimazole, or similar ingredients.
• Don't wear clothing that rubs against and irritates the area.
• Wash sheets and nightclothes every day while you are infected.

Your health care provider may prescribe pills to treat the fungus if you have:

• A severe case of ringworm
• Ringworm that keeps coming back or that lasts for a long time
• Ringworm in your hair

You may need medicines such as ketoconazole, which are stronger than over-the-counter products. You may also need antibiotics to treat skin infections from strep or staph that are caused by scratching the area.

Infected pets also should be treated.

Expectations (prognosis):

Skin medicine usually treats ringworm within 4 weeks. If your ringworm infection is severe or it does not respond well to self-care, it will usually respond quickly to antifungal pills.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your doctor right away if you have any signs of a bacterial infection, which can result from scratching. These signs include swelling, warm skin, sudden worsening in redness of the patches, red streaking, pus, drainage, and fever.

Call your doctor if:

• You have ringworm on your scalp or beard
• Your skin does not improve after 4 weeks of self-care
• The rash spreads and you have diabetes or a weakened immune system due to disease or certain medications