Ringworm on Body Treatment

Self-Care at Home

Although infection may go away without treatment, some ringworm may require antifungal medications applied as cream to the lesions.

• Apply topical antifungal medications to the lesion itself and 1 inch beyond its border twice daily for a minimum of two weeks, and at least one week after it goes away. Keep the infected area clean and dry. Over-the-counter medications available at the drugstore include miconazole 2% (with brand names such as Monistat and Micatin) or clotrimazole 1% (with brand names such as Lotrimin and Mycelex).

• Ringworm is highly contagious.
  
  
  • Avoid touching suspicious lesions.
    
    
  • Maintain proper hygiene by washing your hands and body frequently and laundering the linens and clothes of an infected family member separately.
    
    
  • Avoid contact sports such as wrestling until you have been treating the lesions for at least 48 hours.