Ringworm Treatment: How to Get Rid of a Ring-Shaped Fungal Rash and Stop It Spreading
Written by Naurah Gaspard, DNP, FNP-C, FNP-BC · Medically reviewed by Cherlie Joseph, MSN, FNP-BC · Updated November 2026
Ringworm is a common fungal skin infection, not a worm. It causes an itchy, scaly, ring-shaped rash with a raised edge that slowly spreads outward. Most body ringworm clears in 2 to 4 weeks with an over-the-counter antifungal cream like terbinafine or clotrimazole; ringworm of the scalp or nails, or a rash that does not respond, needs prescription treatment. Avoid steroid creams, which can make it worse.
In this guide
What ringworm looks like
- A round or oval patch with a scaly, raised, active border
- The center often looks clearer or more normal
- Red or pink on lighter skin; gray, brown or darker on brown and Black skin
- Itchy, slowly growing outward over days to weeks
- Can be one patch or several, sometimes overlapping rings
Ringworm has different names depending on where it is: tinea corporis on the body, jock itch in the groin, athlete's foot on the feet, tinea capitis on the scalp and nail fungus on the nails. See our athlete's foot guide for feet.
Eczema, psoriasis, granuloma annulare and a rash called pityriasis rosea can also make rings. If a patch is not responding to an antifungal, it may not be ringworm. Our rash identifier guide compares them.
How you catch ringworm
The CDC says ringworm spreads through:
- Skin-to-skin contact with an infected person, including sexual contact
- Contact with infected pets, especially kittens and puppies, and farm animals
- Shared towels, bedding, clothes, combs and sports gear
- Locker room and public shower floors
Florida heat, sweat and humidity help fungus grow, and athletes, wrestlers, gym-goers and people with diabetes or a weakened immune system get it more often.
Not sure if it's ringworm?
$79 visit, no appointment needed. Adults 18+ in FL, NM, OR and WA.
Start a rash visit →How to treat ringworm
| Antifungal | Examples | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Terbinafine | Lamisil AT cream or gel | Often works fastest |
| Butenafine | Lotrimin Ultra | Similar to terbinafine |
| Azoles | Clotrimazole, miconazole | Low cost; usually used longer |
| Tolnaftate | Tinactin | Creams, sprays and powders |
How to use them well:
- Wash and dry the area, then apply a thin layer to the rash and about an inch of normal-looking skin around it.
- Use it as often as the label directs, usually once or twice a day.
- Keep going for 1 to 2 weeks after the rash looks gone; stopping early is the most common reason it comes back.
- Expect improvement within about 2 weeks and clearing in 2 to 4 weeks.
- Skip steroid creams, including combination creams with a steroid, unless a provider prescribes one. The CDC warns that steroids can make ringworm worse and harder to diagnose.
When you need a prescription
- Scalp ringworm (scaly patches with hair loss) and nail fungus need oral antifungal medicine; creams do not reach deep enough.
- Large or many patches, or ringworm in the beard area.
- No improvement after 2 weeks of correct cream use, or it keeps coming back.
- Diabetes or a weakened immune system.
The CDC also tracks emerging drug-resistant ringworm, which can cause widespread, stubborn rashes that do not respond to terbinafine. A provider may take a skin scraping to confirm the diagnosis and choose the right medicine. Some oral antifungals need lab monitoring and have drug interactions, so share your full medication list.
Stopping it from spreading
- Keep skin clean and dry; change out of sweaty clothes quickly.
- Wear shower shoes in locker rooms and public showers.
- Do not share towels, clothing, sports gear or razors.
- Wash towels and bedding in hot water during treatment.
- Have pets with patchy hair loss checked by a vet, and wash hands after handling them.
- Treat athlete's foot at the same time, since it can spread to the groin and body.
- Keep nails short and clean, and avoid scratching.
Get in-person care or call 911 if you have:
- Spreading redness, warmth, swelling, pus or red streaks
- Fever with a rash
- A painful, boggy, swollen patch on the scalp with pus
- A widespread rash with blisters or peeling after starting a new medicine
Frequently asked questions
How long does ringworm take to go away with treatment?
Most body ringworm improves within 2 weeks and clears in 2 to 4 weeks with an antifungal cream. Keep using it for 1 to 2 weeks after the rash fades.
Is ringworm contagious?
Yes. It spreads by direct skin contact, from pets, and through shared towels, clothing and floors. Covering the rash and starting treatment lowers the risk of spreading it.
Can I put hydrocortisone on ringworm?
No. Steroid creams can calm the itch briefly but help the fungus spread and can make the rash harder to diagnose. Use an antifungal instead.
Sources
- CDC: About Ringworm
- American Academy of Dermatology: Ringworm diagnosis and treatment
- MedlinePlus: Athlete's Foot
Keep reading
Get ringworm treated from home
$79 visit, no appointment needed. Adults 18+ in FL, NM, OR and WA.
Start a rash visit →
Naurah Gaspard, DNP, FNP-C, FNP-BC
Board-certified family nurse practitioner licensed in Florida, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington, caring for adults online at OurTopClinic. Meet our providers.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for medical advice. Treatment, including any prescription, is decided by a licensed provider after reviewing your health history. OurTopClinic is not for emergencies; if you have a medical emergency, call 911. OurTopClinic serves adults located in Florida, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington. Learn more at ourtopclinic.com.
