How To Get Rid of Ringworm: A Quick Guide

Finding out you have ringworm can make your skin crawl. But rest assured, there are no actual worms involved. This highly contagious skin infection is caused by a common fungus that affects 20% to 25% of the world’s population at any given time.

Done playing host? Primary care physician Matthew Badgett, MD, explains how to get rid of ringworm.

How to Get Rid of Ringworm

You can usually treat a standard case of ringworm with over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal creams. Using them for the entire treatment period and practicing good hygiene — like washing your hands, not touching the infection, and keeping the area clean and dry — should get rid of the problem.

Treating ringworm is pretty straightforward, but Dr. Badgett says it isn’t a quick process. Mild cases can clear up within a few weeks. But more serious infections may linger for a few months — even if you’re taking the necessary steps to knock them out.

OTC ringworm treatments

OTC ringworm creams products such as Tinactin® (tolnaftate topical) or Lotramin® (clotrimazole) are often found in the foot care aisle and marketed for athlete’s foot, a similar type of fungal infection. If you use them twice a day, the infection should start clearing within a few days.

Fungal infections can be stubborn. Keep using the cream morning and night for a month after it’s cleared to fully wipe out the fungus and prevent it from making a repeat performance. “Using the creams consistently is the key,” Dr. Badgett emphasizes.

If an OTC treatment hasn’t made a dent in the rash within two weeks, check in with a healthcare provider. Your infection may need to be treated with prescription antifungals.

Ringworm self-care tips

Getting on an OTC or prescription antifungal regimen is the most important step for curing ringworm, but it’s not the only thing you can do. Dr. Badgett suggests that you:

• Skip steroid creams: Don’t use an over-the-counter steroid like hydrocortisone on ringworm. Although it can make things look better in the short term, it will likely make the infection worse. It can also change the appearance of the rash, which may make it harder to diagnose.
• Avoid harsh cleansers: Wash the infection site, softly, with warm water and gentle soap.
• Don’t scratch: It’s tempting, but giving in to the urge to scratch ringworm can spread the fungus — or even cause a secondary bacterial infection. If the itch is unbearable, see your provider.
• Avoid home remedies: Despite what you might see on the internet, home remedies like garlic, tea tree oil and aloe vera won’t heal ringworm. Many of these home cures (like apple cider vinegar) can further damage your skin.
• Wear loose-fitting clothing: Keeping ringworm clean and dry is essential for healing. Tight clothes can trap moisture, limit airflow and worsen itching at the infection site.
• Choose ringworm-friendly footwear: If you have ringworm on your feet, wear open-toed shoes until the infection clears up. Air circulation is your friend!

Will ringworm go away on its own?

Ringworm is unlikely to go away on its own. And it could get worse, spreading to other areas of your body if you don’t treat it.

“Proper care and a little patience usually do the trick for ringworm,” Dr. Badgett reassures. “Just don’t ignore it. If you do, a small infection could turn into a much larger problem.”

Another reason to treat ringworm? It is contagious.

Tips to keep it from spreading

Dr. Badgett recommends the following to keep ringworm from spreading to other parts of your body, to other people and to your furry friends. (Yes, it’s possible.)

• Wash your hands: After touching a ringworm rash for any reason, wash your hands with soap and water for a full 20 seconds.
• Shower smart: After a shower, dry off thoroughly and pay attention to hard-to-reach areas, like between your toes.
• Use two towels: Reserve one towel for areas with ringworm and another for, well, everything else. Using the same towel everywhere can spread ringworm around your body.
• Wear shower shoes: Locker rooms, gyms, bathrooms and pools are breeding grounds for the fungi that cause ringworm. Wearing shower shoes can keep your (and everybody else’s) tootsies healthy.
• Keep up with your laundry: Clean and sanitize any linens, towels and clothing that come into contact with a ringworm infection. Go ahead and crank up the water temp in the washing machine, too. You want to scorch those fungi.
• Make surfaces sparkle: Use disinfectant sprays or bleach to kill ringworm-causing fungi that might be contaminating countertops, doorknobs or other surfaces around your home.
• Check your pets: Dogs, cats and other animals can also get (and spread) ringworm. Check your pets regularly for the signature hairless patches left by ringworm. If you suspect they’re infected, get them to a vet for treatment.

When to see a doctor

Contact your healthcare provider about ringworm if:

• You have it around your eyes, on your genitals, in a mucous membrane or anywhere else where your skin is extra delicate
• The infection is somewhere you can’t put an OTC cream, like your scalp (tinea capitis) or under your nails (onychomycosis).
• You’re pregnant or breastfeeding
• You’re immunocompromised
• It isn’t getting better with OTC medication — or it’s getting worse
• The fungus is spreading to other parts of your body
• The ringworm site is painful
• The telltale ring is getting bigger, more defined, swelling or changing colors
• You have an open wound or broken skin near the infection
• Fluid-filled blisters or pus-filled sores develop
• You have symptoms of a secondary infection, like a fever, chills or red streaks extending from the ringworm site

“Don’t hesitate to reach out for help if you're unsure about how to manage ringworm,” Dr. Badgett advises. “If you’re not sure you’re dealing with ringworm or you’re worried it’s not getting better, a quick visit to your doctor can make all the difference.”