Ringworm (body)

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Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

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Image of ringworm of the body
Ringworm of the body

The signs and symptoms of ringworm include:

  • A circular rash on your skin that's red and inflamed around the edge and healthy looking in the middle
  • Slightly raised expanding rings of red, scaly skin on your trunk or face
  • A round, flat patch of itchy skin

More than one patch of ringworm may appear on your skin, and patches or red rings of rash may overlap. You can have tinea infection without having the common red ring of ringworm.

When to see a doctor
See your doctor if you have a rash on your skin that doesn't improve within two weeks. You may need prescription medication. If excessive redness, swelling, drainage or fever occurs, see your doctor immediately.

References
  1. Goldstein AO, et al. Dermatophyte (tinea) infections. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 2, 2008.
  2. Habif, TP. Superficial fungal infections. In: Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Inc.; 2004. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/104355536-2/742469442/1195/81.html?printing=true. Accessed Sept. 2, 2008.
  3. Ringworm and animals. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/diseases/ringworm.htm. Accessed Sept. 2, 2008.
  4. Andrews MD, et al. Common tinea infections in children. American Family Physician. 2008;77(10):1415-1420.
  5. Drugs@FDA. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/index.cfm. Accessed Sept. 3, 2008.
  6. Gupta AK, et al. Tinea corporis, tinea cruris, tinea nigra, and piedra. Dermatologic Clinics. 2003;21(3):395-400.

DS00489

Oct. 28, 2008

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