You typically apply the antifungal twice a day for 10 to 14 days. To treat the itch, it often helps to apply a wet, cool washcloth to the area for 20 to 30 minutes. You may need to apply cool compresses 2 to 6 times a day.
Apply this medication to the affected skin, usually twice a day or as directed by your doctor. Dosage and length of treatment depends on the type of infection being treated. Do not apply this more often than prescribed.
Long-term use of combination corticosteroid creams can cause severe redness and burning with ringworm.
Ringworm usually goes away within 4 weeks of treatment.
Most mild cases of ringworm usually clear up in 2 to 4 weeks. But treatment might be needed for up to 3 months if the infection is more serious, or affects the nails or the scalp.
Mild cases of ringworm clear up within a few weeks. More serious infections may require treatment for six to 12 weeks. Some other things you can do to promote healing: Keep the affected area clean and dry.
Sometimes, ringworm of the skin can be passed on to others. It requires direct skin-to-skin contact. Ringworm from pets is not passed from human to human. It is only passed from animal to human.
How long is it contagious after you start treatment? According to the Seattle Children's Hospital, ringworm stops being contagious after 48 hours of treatment. While undergoing treatment, a person can cover the lesion to help prevent it from coming into contact with other people or objects in the environment.
Ringworm stops being contagious after 48 hours of antifungal treatment. Treatment options include topical creams or oral medication. Without treatment, people are contagious until the ringworm rash goes away. This can take up to 3 weeks.
Because the fungi can live indefinitely on the skin, recurrences of ringworm are likely. Treatment may need to be repeated. If you have ringworm symptoms, see your healthcare provider for treatment recommendations. It is important to note that common home remedies do not effectively treat this condition.
You typically apply the antifungal twice a day for 10 to 14 days. To treat the itch, it often helps to apply a wet, cool washcloth to the area for 20 to 30 minutes. You may need to apply cool compresses 2 to 6 times a day.
You should contact your healthcare provider if: Your infection gets worse or doesn't go away after using non-prescription medications. You or your child has ringworm on the scalp. Ringworm on the scalp needs to be treated with prescription antifungal medication.
It starts small and slowly grows larger.
Take a bath twice a day.
Avoid using very hot water. Hot water favors fungal growth in the body. Wash the affected parts with cold water once you are done taking a bath. Always use a fresh dry towel to wipe off water from the body.
If you use too much clotrimazole cream, spray or solution or use it more often than you need to, it may make your skin irritated or red. If this happens, use less the next time.
When cleaning the area with ringworm, wash the affected area(s) and dry it (them) with a clean towel. Use another clean towel to dry the other parts of your body. Before using these towels again, wash them in hot, sudsy water. To keep the area dry, avoid wearing clothes, socks, and shoes that make you sweat.
Terbinafine (Lamisil) comes in creams, sprays, and gels and can treat athlete's foot, jock itch, and other ringworm infections on the skin. The CDC says terbinafine seems to be the most effective treatment for tinea pedis.
To prevent ringworm from spreading or infecting other areas of the body, keep the skin as clean as possible. To do this, rinse the infection with soap and warm water once or twice daily. Be sure to dry the skin fully, as fungus thrives in moist areas.
If someone in your family has a fungal infection, there is no need for them to stay off work or school. However, treatment should be started as soon as possible. Good personal hygiene should also be followed to stop it spreading to other children.
People can get ringworm after contact with someone who has the infection. To avoid spreading the infection, people with ringworm shouldn't share clothing, towels, combs, or other personal items with other people.
Antifungal medications are your best bet to cure ringworm fast. Antifungal medications are available over the counter (OTC) or by prescription and come in cream, ointment and pill form.
If your child's ringworm is worsening, he or she will have these signs and symptoms: Fever. Pus or drainage. Rash is warm to the touch.