Which antifungal works best for ringworm

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You are here Home » Ringworm of the Skin. Top of the page. Topic Overview Is this topic for you? For information about other fungal infections, see the topics: Athlete's Foot. Diaper Rash. Fungal Nail Infections. Ringworm of the Scalp or Beard. What is ringworm of the skin? What causes ringworm? What are the symptoms? How is ringworm of the skin diagnosed?

How is it treated? Can you prevent ringworm? To prevent ringworm: Don't share clothing, sports gear, towels, or sheets.

If you think you have been exposed to ringworm, wash your clothes in hot water with special anti-fungus soap. Wear slippers or sandals in locker rooms and public bathing areas. Shower and shampoo well after any sport that includes skin-to-skin contact. Wear loose-fitting cotton clothing. Change your socks and underwear at least once a day. Keep your skin clean and dry. Always dry yourself completely after showers or baths, drying your feet last.

If you have athlete's foot, put your socks on before your underwear so that fungi do not spread from your feet to your groin. Take your pet to the vet if it has patches of missing hair, which could be a sign of a fungal infection. Cause Ringworm infection is caused by a fungus. Symptoms Most ringworm infections cause a rash that may be peeling, cracking, scaling, itching, and red.

Symptoms of ringworm of the body include a rash: On the chest, stomach, arms, legs, or back. With edges that are red and scaly or moist and crusted. The rash also may have small bumps that look like blisters. The center of the rash may be clear, giving it a ring-shaped appearance, or there may be a cluster of red bumps. That may form large, round patches. Symptoms of ringworm of the face include a rash: On the face, the ears, or both. With a border that may not be very distinct.

That may get worse after being in the sun. Symptoms of ringworm of the groin jock itch include a rash: On the groin, skin folds, inner thighs, or buttocks. The rash usually does not occur on the scrotum or penis. With edges that are very distinct and may be scaly or have bumps that look like blisters. That may have a red-brown center. Symptoms of ringworm on the hand include a rash: On the palm that may be mistaken for eczema. On the palm that is thickened, dry, and scaly, similar to athlete's foot, while skin between the fingers may be moist and have open sores.

On the back of the hand that is red and scaly, with edges that have bumps that look like blisters. What Happens Ringworm of the skin can start as a small patch of itchy, red, or scaling skin.

Ringworm can also spread to other parts of the body, including the feet, nails, scalp, or beard. What Increases Your Risk Your risk of getting ringworm is higher if: You come in contact with a person who has a fungal infection or with a carrier, a person who has the fungi but does not have symptoms.

You are susceptible to fungal infections or you have had a previous fungal infection. You have an impaired immune system due to a disease such as diabetes or cancer. You live in a warm, damp climate. You wear tight-fitting clothes or you let your skin stay damp for long periods, such as by staying in a wet bathing suit or sweaty workout clothes.

You are a wrestler. When should you call your doctor? If you suspect you have ringworm of the skin, call your doctor if: You have patches of skin that are itchy, red, or scaly with bumps that look like blisters, and they have not improved after 2 weeks of treatment with a nonprescription antifungal product.

Signs of bacterial infection develop. Signs may include: Increased pain, swelling, redness, tenderness, or heat. Red streaks extending from the area. Discharge of pus. Fever of The rash appears to be spreading even after treatment. Watchful waiting Watchful waiting is a wait-and-see approach. Any persistent, severe, or recurring infection should be checked by your doctor. Who to see The following health professionals can diagnose and treat ringworm of the skin: Family medicine physician Pediatrician Dermatologist Nurse practitioner Physician assistant Internist.

Exams and Tests Doctors often can easily recognize ringworm by its ring-shaped rash. Tests for ringworm of the skin include: A KOH potassium hydroxide preparation. This test can help your doctor find out whether a fungus is causing your rash. The doctor will take a sample of your skin by lightly scraping the infected area. The sample is placed on a slide with potassium hydroxide KOH solution and gently heated. If fungus cells are present, the doctor can then see them with a microscope.

A Wood's light exam. This test may be used to see if the rash is caused by a fungus. Your doctor will shine a special light on your skin where you have the rash.

Tinea capitis is a common contagious fungal infection of the scalp in children. Systemic therapy is required for treatment and to prevent spread.

This is an update of the original Cochrane review. We searched five trial registers and checked the reference lists of studies for references to relevant randomised controlled trials RCTs.

We obtained unpublished, ongoing trials and grey literature via correspondence with experts in the field and from pharmaceutical companies. RCTs of systemic antifungal therapy in children with normal immunity under the age of 18 with tinea capitis confirmed by microscopy, growth of fungi dermatophytes in culture or both. Terbinafine for four weeks and griseofulvin for eight weeks showed similar efficacy for the primary outcome of complete i.

Complete cure with itraconazole two to six weeks and griseofulvin six weeks was similar in two studies In two studies, there was no difference between itraconazole and terbinafine for two to three weeks treatment In three studies, there was a similar proportion achieving complete cured with two to four weeks of fluconazole or six weeks of griseofulvin Current evidence for ketoconazole versus griseofulvin was limited.

One study favoured griseofulvin 12 weeks because ketoconazole 12 weeks appeared less effective for complete cure RR 0. However, their effects appeared to be similar when the treatment lasted 26 weeks RR 0. Another study indicated that complete cure was similar for ketoconazole 12 weeks and griseofulvin 12 weeks RR 0. For one trial, there was no significant difference for complete cure between fluconazole for two to three weeks and terbinafine for two to three weeks For complete cure, we did not find a significant difference between fluconazole for two to three weeks and itraconazole for two to three weeks This update provides new data: in children with Microsporum infections, a meta-analysis of two studies found that the complete cure was lower for terbinafine 6 weeks than for griseofulvin weeks In the original review, there was no significant difference in complete cure between terbinafine four weeks and griseofulvin eight weeks in children with Microsporum infections in one small study One study provides new evidence that terbinafine and griseofulvin for six weeks show similar efficacy However, in children infected with T.

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Lead in water pipes can cause a number of long lasting health effects, and experts say children are particularly vulnerable to them. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Topical treatments Don't cover it Wash bedding Dry undergarments Antifungal shampoo Prescription medication Takeaway We include products we think are useful for our readers. Treating ringworm.

Apply a topical antifungal. Let it breathe. Wash bedding daily. Change wet underwear and socks. Use an antifungal shampoo. Take a prescription antifungal. The takeaway. Medically reviewed by Sarah Taylor, M.

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