In this Article

• What does the term "ringworm" mean?
• What causes ringworm?
• What are the sources of skin fungi?
• What types of ringworm are there? What are the symptoms?
• How is ringworm diagnosed?
• How is ringworm treated?
• How can ringworm be prevented?
• Ringworm At A Glance
• Pictures of Ringworm - Slideshow
• Patient Discussions: Ringworm - Effective Treatments
• Ringworm Glossary
• Ringworm Index

How can ringworm be prevented?

Conventional wisdom holds that minimizing sweat and moisture can help prevent fungal infections. Common recommendations along these lines are for men to wear boxer shorts, for women to avoid panty hose, and so forth. Whether these measures, some of which are quite difficult to implement, are really worth all of the effort is open to question.

Ringworm At A Glance

• Ringworm is a common fungal infection of the skin and is not due to a worm of any type.
• The medical term for ringworm is tinea. The condition is further named for the site of the body where the infection occurs.
• Ringworm causes a scaly, crusted rash that may itch.
• Ringworm is treated with antifungal medications used either topically or orally.

Medically reviewed by Norman Levine, MD, Board Certified - American Board of Dermatology

Ringworm - Effective Treatments

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Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

• ketoconazole, Nizoral, Extina, Xolegel, Kuric - Learn about ketoconazole (Nizoral, Extina, Xolegel, Kuric), a drug used to treat a variety of fungal infections such as dandruff, jock itch, athlete's foot, and ringworm.
• Rash - Learn about rash causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. Common skin rashes include poison ivy, hives, shingles, eczema, contact dermatitis, ringworm, psoriasis and impetigo.
• clotrimazole, Lotrimin, Mycelex - Read about clotrimazole (Lotrimin, Mycelex) medication prescribed for vaginal yeast infections, thrush, jock itch, athlete's foot, and tinea versicolor. Side effects, drug interaction, and dosage information is included.

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