Ringworm

What is ringworm?

Ringworm is a common skin infection caused by fungi (tiny organisms like yeasts). Despite its name, it has nothing to do with worms at all. The name comes from the round, ring-like shape the rash often makes on your skin.

You can catch ringworm from other people, animals, or even from touching infected objects like towels or combs.

What does ringworm look like?

The main sign of ringworm is a rash on your skin. This rash:

• May look red, or darker than your normal skin colour
• Can be scaly, dry, swollen or itchy
• Often forms a ring shape (but not always)
• May look different on your face, neck or head

On brown or black skin, the colour change may be harder to notice, but you'll still see the other signs like scaling or the ring shape.

Ringworm can appear anywhere on your body:

• On your body: Usually ring-shaped patches
• On your head: May cause patchy hair loss
• In your groin area: Sometimes called "jock itch"

Sometimes you might get more than one patch, or the rash might grow and spread.

How do you catch ringworm?

You can catch ringworm through:

• Close contact with someone who has it
• Touching infected animals (pets can get ringworm too)
• Using infected items like towels, combs, or bed sheets
• Touching infected soil (less common)

Getting help and treatment

See your pharmacist first if you think you might have ringworm. They can look at your rash and recommend the best antifungal medicine. This might be:

• Tablets
• Cream
• Gel
• Spray

You'll usually need to use the medicine every day for up to 4 weeks. Keep using it for the full time recommended, even if the rash looks better.

When to see your GP

Speak to your GP if:

• The ringworm hasn't improved after using medicine from the pharmacy
• You have ringworm on your head - you'll usually need prescription tablets and special shampoo
• You have a weakened immune system (for example, from chemotherapy, steroid medicines, or diabetes)

Stopping ringworm from spreading

Do:

• Start treatment as soon as possible
• Wash towels and bed sheets regularly
• Keep your skin clean
• Wash your hands after touching animals or soil
• Check your skin regularly if you've been around someone with ringworm
• Take pets to the vet if they might have ringworm (look for patches of missing fur)

Don't:

• Share towels, combs, or bed sheets with someone who has ringworm
• Scratch the rash (this can spread it to other parts of your body)

School and work

It's fine for children to go to school or nursery once treatment has started. Just let the teachers know about the infection.

Other similar infections

Ringworm is related to other common fungal infections like athlete's foot (affecting feet) and fungal nail infections.

If you're worried about any skin changes or rashes, speak to your pharmacist or GP for advice.

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Based on NHS.uk guidance. Written by Dr Krishnan Pasupathi, NHS GP.