Tinea Corporis
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 6, 2024.
AMBULATORY CARE:
Tinea corporis
, or ringworm, is a skin infection caused by a fungus. It usually affects the skin on your face, chest, or limbs. Tinea corporis is most common in children and athletes.
Common signs and symptoms:
Tinea corporis may begin as 1 or more flat, red patches. As the infection grows, it spreads out in a circle or ring, leaving normal-looking skin in the middle. At the edge of the ring, the skin is red and raised. It may be either dry and scaly, or moist and crusty. The infected skin may itch. The infection looks like you have a worm under your skin, but there is no worm.
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Call your doctor if:
- You have a fever.
- Your rash continues to spread after 7 days of treatment.
- Your rash is not gone within 2 weeks.
- The area around your rash becomes red, warm, tender, swollen, or smells bad.
- You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
Treatment:
Tinea corporis is usually treated with antifungal medicine. It may be given as a cream or pill. Take the medicine until it is gone, even if it looks like your infection is gone sooner.
Treatment options
The following list of medications are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.
Prevent tinea corporis:
- Wash all items that come into contact with infected skin. Wash all towels, clothes, and bedding in hot water. Use laundry soap. Clean shower stalls, mats, and floors with a germ-killing or fungus-killing cleaner.
- Do not share personal items. Examples include towels, brushes, combs, and hair accessories.
- Keep your skin, hair, and nails clean and dry. Dry your skin before you put medicine on the infected area. Wash your hands often. Do not scratch your sores. This may cause the infection to spread.
- Do not participate in contact sports, as directed. Talk to your provider before you participate in contact sports, such as wrestling. Your provider may tell you to wait for 72 hours after you start treatment.
- Have infected pets treated by a veterinarian. A patch of missing fur is a sign of infection in a pet. Wear gloves and long sleeves if you handle an infected animal. Always wash your hands after handling the animal. Vacuum your home to remove infected fur or skin flakes. Disinfect surfaces and bedding that your animal comes into contact with.
Follow up with your doctor as directed:
Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.
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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
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