Ringworm (body)

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Lifestyle and home remedies

By Mayo Clinic staff

For a mild case of ringworm, you can apply an over-the-counter antifungal lotion, cream or ointment. Most fungal infections respond well to these topical agents, which include:

  • Clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF)
  • Miconazole (Micatin, Micaderm)
  • Terbinafine (Lamisil AT)
  • Tolnaftate (Tinactin)

Wash and dry the affected area. Then, apply a thin layer of the topical agent once or twice a day for at least two weeks, or according to package directions. Extend the application about an inch beyond the visible edge to ensure the best treatment. If you don't see an improvement after four weeks, see your doctor.

Prevention Treatments and drugs
References
  1. Berger TG. Dermatologic disorders. In: McPhee SJ, et al. CURRENT Medical Diagnosis and Treatment. 49th ed. New York, N.Y. The McGraw-Hill Companies. 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=955&searchStr=tinea+corporis. Accessed July 31, 2010.
  2. Ringworm and animals. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/diseases/ringworm.htm. Accessed July 31, 2010.
  3. Goldstein AO, et al. Dermatophyte (tinea) infections. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 31, 2010.
  4. Habif TP. Tinea. In: Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa. Elsevier. 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00022-5--s0890&displayedEid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00022-5--s0915&uniq=212344290&isbn=978-0-7234-3541-9&sid=1032534496#lpState=open&lpTab=contentsTab&content=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00022-5--s0355%3Bfrom%3Dcontent%3Bisbn%3D978-0-7234-3541-9%3Btype%3DbookPage. Accessed July 29, 2010.
  5. Wolff K, et al. Fungal infections of the skin and hair. In: Fitzpatrick's Color Atlas and Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology. 6th ed. New York, N.Y. The McGraw-Hill Companies. 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=5194241&searchStr=tinea+corporis#5194241. Accessed July 31, 2010.
  6. Dermatophytoses. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manuals for Healthcare Professionals. https://merck.com/mmpe/sec10/ch120/ch120c.html. Accessed July 29, 2010.
  7. Options for treatment of fungal infections. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manuals for Healthcare Professionals. https://merck.com/media/mmpe/pdf/Table_120-1.pdf. Accessed July 31, 2010.
  8. Habif TP. Treatment of fungal infections. In: Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa. Elsevier. 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00022-5--s0890&displayedEid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00022-5--s0915&uniq=212344290&isbn=978-0-7234-3541-9&sid=1032534496#lpState=open&lpTab=contentsTab&content=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00022-5--s0570%3Bfrom%3Dtoc%3Btype%3DbookPage%3Bisbn%3D978-0-7234-3541-9. Accessed July 31, 2010.
  9. Dr. Lawrence Gibson (expert opinion), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. July 31, 2010.
DS00489 Oct. 30, 2010

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