Ringworm and Jock Itch
Creams for itchy, circular rashes.
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UK clinicians
Ringworm is a common fungal infection which results in a ring-shaped rash on the skin.
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Ringworm is a fungal infection that causes a rash on your skin. This rash is often ring-shaped (hence the name) and itchy.
A common type of ringworm is known as jock itch. This is where the fungal infection affects areas that are responsible for producing a lot of sweat, especially after you’ve been exercising. Fungi need warm, moist environments. This is why the warmest, most sweat-prone areas of the body are the most likely areas for a tinea infection to occur.
Fungal infections of any kind can affect a lot of people. However, those that have an impact on the body are more commonly seen in children and young adults. Fungal infections that affect the skin are seen more frequently in women, and those in the groin tend to be frequent in adolescents and young adult men.
There are also some risk factors that can increase the likelihood of you developing it. These include:
Ringworm is a reasonably common infection that affects a large number of people. Anyone is prone to be affected by it but if you have a weakened immune system you could be at an increased risk of infection and might also find it harder to treat. About 10-20% of people are likely to have ringworm in their lifetime.
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When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
Ringworm is a contagious infection, so it’s spread when you come into contact with a person or animal that already has ringworm. It’s most easily spread through physical contact, but it can also be spread by sharing objects such as towels, hairbrushes and bedding.
The main characteristic symptom of ringworm is the rash. This is usually a ring-like red or silvery coloured rash on your skin, which causes your skin to look irritated around the ring, but healthy inside it. Your skin can also become scaly, itchy and inflamed.
There are more severe cases of ringworm in which the rings multiply, grow in size and then merge together. You might also find that the rings feel slightly raised and the skin underneath it can become itchy. Some people might also develop blisters and puss filled sores around the rings.
Ringworm can sometimes lead to other problems when you scratch the rash, as it can make it spread to other areas of your body. Some people suffer with face and neck ringworm which might not appear ring-shaped, but starts off itchy and swollen before becoming dry and crusted.
If you have a beard, you may notice patches of your beard hair beginning to break away. Hand ringworm can also develop, which causes the skin around your hand to become thicker on the palm and in between your fingers. It can affect one or both hands, and usually only ever appears on one side. If you have a weak immune system you can also develop a secondary infection.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
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.
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.
There are some other methods available to treat ringworm in mild cases, which include:
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.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
Fungal skin infection - body and groin:
What are the risk factors? [online]. [Accessed 17 Nov. 2021].
Epidemiological trends in skin mycoses worldwide. Mycoses, 51, pp.2–15.
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