Is ringworm just in one spot?

It's common to have just one spot of ringworm, while nummular eczema often has multiple patches. Ringworm is sometimes mistaken for forms of eczema and other skin conditions, like psoriasis. Unlike nummular eczema, the affected areas don't vary in color, and the patches don't burn and sometimes don't even itch.

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How do you know if a spot is ringworm?

Symptoms
  1. A scaly ring-shaped area, typically on the buttocks, trunk, arms and legs.
  2. Itchiness.
  3. A clear or scaly area inside the ring, perhaps with a scattering of bumps whose color ranges from red on white skin to reddish, purplish, brown or gray on black and brown skin.
  4. Slightly raised, expanding rings.

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Does ringworm show up in more than one spot?

Ringworm tends to appear as one or two patches on your skin, but nummular eczema often causes multiple patches.

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Does ringworm start as one bump?

Ringworm on the skin starts as a red, scaly patch or bump. Over time, it may look like one or more rings with raised, bumpy, scaly borders (the center is often clear).

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What is commonly mistaken for ringworm?

There are a variety of ringworm imposters that could be causing you or your child's rash. The two most common conditions are nummular eczema and granuloma annulare. Nummular eczema causes circular patches of dry skin that can burn or become dry and scaly.

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Ringworm (Tinea Corporis) | Causes, Risk Factors, Signs & Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

42 related questions found

What does mild ringworm look like?

It may look red, silver or darker than surrounding skin, depending on your skin tone. The rash may be scaly, dry, swollen or itchy. Ringworm can appear anywhere on the body, including the scalp (tinea capitis) and groin (jock itch). The rash is usually ring-shaped, but it may look different on your face, neck or scalp.

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What looks like ringworm and isn t?

Eczema and many other skin conditions can resemble ringworm. Both ringworm and eczema cause itchy, red skin. Unlike ringworm, eczema isn't contagious and doesn't spread from one area to another on your body.

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Should I cover my ringworm when I sleep?

Let it breathe. It may seem logical to keep ringworm covered with a bandage to prevent spreading the infection. However, bandaging the rash locks in moisture and slows the healing process. Instead, wear comfortable, breathable clothes to speed healing and avoid spreading the rash to other people.

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When is ringworm no longer contagious?

After 48 hours of treatment, ringworm does not spread to others at all.

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Can you touch ringworm and not get it?

Myth 5: Ringworm isn't contagious

In fact, the opposite is true. Ringworm spreads easily from person to person, especially in communal areas like locker rooms and neighborhood pools. Ringworm is so contagious, in fact, that you don't even have to touch someone to get infected.

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Where does ringworm normally show up?

Ringworm is an infection caused by fungus. You can get ringworm anywhere on your skin. On most areas of the skin, it causes ring-shaped patches. What you see, however, changes when ringworm grows on the feet (bottoms and sides), palms, nails, groin, beard area, or scalp.

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Where does ringworm most commonly appear?

About Ringworm
  • Feet (tinea pedis, commonly called “athlete's foot”)
  • Groin, inner thighs, or buttocks (tinea cruris, commonly called “jock itch”)
  • Scalp (tinea capitis)
  • Beard (tinea barbae)
  • Hands (tinea manuum)

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What does active ringworm look like?

The telltale sign is a red, scaly patch or bump that itches. Over time, the bump turns into a ring- or circle-shaped patch. It may turn into several rings. The inside of the patch is usually clear or scaly.

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What cleaner kills ringworm?

Effective disinfectants include Accel/Rescue® (Accelerated hydrogen peroxide 1:16), Accel® TB (hydrogen peroxide 0.5%.), Enilconazole, bleach diluted 1:32 with prolonged contact time (at least 10 minutes), 2% Potassium Peroxymonosulfate, Formula 409® (quaternary ammonium 0.3%), and Clorox Clean-Up® (sodium hypochlorite ...

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Should you stay home with ringworm?

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.

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How long should you stay home if you have ringworm?

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.

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How quickly does ringworm clear up?

How Long Does Ringworm Last? 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.

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Should you shower everyday if you have ringworm?

Take a shower or bath every day (especially after playing sports and sweating) and dry off completely. Wear clean clothing. Change your clothes every day. Use clean towels and don't share towels or clothes.

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Do I have to wash everything if I have ringworm?

The fungi that cause ringworm can survive for a long time. To avoid re-infecting yourself with infected items, you should wash clothes, towels, and bedding that you use while you have ringworm. Be sure to wash everything in hot, soapy water.

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Can ringworm stay on bed sheets?

Anyone can get ringworm. The fungi that cause this infection can live on skin, surfaces, and on household items such as clothing, towels, and bedding.

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Is ringworm always a circle?

Ringworm is often circular. It typically begins as a rash with a clearly defined border that looks like there is a worm under the skin. The center of the rash appears sunken and may be gray or scaly. While psoriasis rashes can also be round, the shape is less regular and does not resemble a worm.

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How do you tell if it's ringworm or eczema?

How can I tell the difference between ringworm and eczema? Ringworm is often round in shape, itchy, and has black dots at its center. Eczema symptoms include redness, dry skin, swelling of the affected area, oozing, and crusting if scratched.

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What can be mistaken for ringworm in adults?

Ringworm is sometimes mistaken for forms of eczema and other skin conditions, like psoriasis. Unlike nummular eczema, the affected areas don't vary in color, and the patches don't burn and sometimes don't even itch.

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What happens if you let ringworm go untreated?

If left untreated, the area can become boggy (spongy), discharge pus and develop areas of hair loss. This form of ringworm is most common in children.

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Is hot water good for ringworm?

Always use lukewarm water. 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.

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