Body Ringworm

Tinea corporis

Tinea corporis is more commonly known as ringworm. It is a fungal infection of the skin. The rash is generally ring shaped and has a scaly border. Treatment is usually with anti-fungus creams or with oral anti-fungus pills.

Dry, red, elevated scaly skin bumps

A rash is present. The rash can be either ring shaped with a scaly border and a clear center, or it may just be a scaly patch. It is usually reddish in color.

Often the rash is itchy.

Ringworm is due to a fungal infection of the skin. It usually occurs on areas of the body not covered by clothing, such as the arms and face.

Direct contact with infected person, scales or hairs

Sometimes, it can be spread to humans from an infected cat.

Examination -- the doctor usually easily recognizes the typical appearance of the rash.

The doctor may also scrape the rash and look at a sample of it under the microscope.

Sometimes a culture of the rash may be needed to make the diagnosis.

Rarely will a biopsy needed.

Treatment with any one of the numerous anti-fungus creams.

Usually, such treatment needs to be continued for 1 to 2 weeks after the rash has cleared. Sometimes, over-the-counter anti-fungus creams are enough. Other times, you may need a prescription-strength cream.

Creams usually do not work on fungal infections of the nails. These need to be treated with oral anti-fungus medicines.

For ringworm that does not respond to creams, an oral anti-fungal medicine such as griseofulvin (250-500 mg twice a day for 2-4 weeks), itraconazole 200 mg once a day for one week), or terbinafine (250 mg once a day for 4 weeks) needs to be used.

Treatment is usually successful within 4 weeks.

General measures used to prevent fungal infections are important. Keep the skin dry. Moist skin encourages fungal infections.

Dry all areas of the skin after a bath or after heavy sweating.

Wear loose fitting clothing.

Use talcum or other drying powders to keep dry the areas that perspire.

People using steroid creams, taking steroid pills, or those with diabetes have a higher chance of developing fungal infections and need to be especially careful.