Ringworm is a common skin condition which is caused by an infection from the tinea fungus (which is also responsible for jock itch and athlete's foot). Ringworm causes a characteristic rash which is darker along its edges and lighter in the middle. Ringworm can spread especially easily among children because they play closely together and frequently share clothing.
Step 1
Rub antifungal cream on the affected area. These creams can either be purchased by prescription or over the counter and need to be applied daily. The cream should be applied directly to the ringworm lesion and massaged into the skin using your fingertips. Try to rub the cream over the entire lesion plus an extra centimeter on all sides to help keep the fungus from spreading. Effective antifungal creams should contain miconazole, clotrimazole, terbinafine, butenafine or ciclopirox.
Step 2
Wash all clothes, towels and linens that have touched (or may have touched) the affected area in the past few days. This will help keep the fungus from spreading to other parts of your body or re-infecting.
Step 3
Continue applying the antifungal cream for one week after the ringworm lesion has disappeared.
Step 4
If after several weeks the ringworm is not getting better, or if it spreads to your scalp, consider using oral antifungal treatment. These treatments, which are available only with a prescription, may include griseofulvin or terbinafine.
