Ringworm and Jock Itch

What medications are there for ringworm?

Tinea infections like ringworm usually respond well to antifungal creams containing clotrimazole, miconazole or terbinafine. Some infections are harder to shift and might also require an antifungal medication in the form of a tablet.

These can be effective forms of treatment because they both kill off the fungus which causes the infection and reduce the intensity of the rash. This treatment comes either as a spray, gel, or cream (whichever feels most comfortable) and is simply applied to the rash. If your case of ringworm is quite severe then you might be prescribed tablets as well.

Is there a ‘best’ treatment for ringworm?

There isn’t necessarily a ‘best’ treatment, but topical treatments are usually the first ones prescribed. Besides topical medications, you can take antifungal tablets as a means of treating the infection if it’s quite severe, or if it can’t be cured with topical treatments.

Does ringworm always need treatment?

There are some other methods available to treat ringworm in mild cases, which include:

• Washing the areas of affected skin and drying them thoroughly, paying attention to the folds of skin between your toes (if this is the affected area);
• Making sure that you’re changing your underwear or socks on a daily basis (because fungi can persist in flakes of skin) if you have a groin or foot infection;
• Ensuring you aren’t sharing a comb, hairbrush or hat with anyone if you have a scalp infection;
• Washing your clothes, towels and bed linen frequently;
• Wearing loose-fitting clothes (ideally some that are made of cotton or other natural materials).

Though the above measures can be helpful in some circumstances, you’ll often find it better to use treatment for your ringworm. This is because you’ll be able to both limit your discomfort and prevent the disease from spreading to other areas of your body.