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Ringworm on Body (cont.)

Medical Treatment

  • In addition, the doctor may prescribe a topical corticosteroid to help relieve the itching. It is never used as the only treatment in ringworm infections.
  • Seriously infected or deep abscesses may require surgical drainage. Bacterial superinfections usually require antibiotics.
  • Antifungal medication may be given as a pill for extensive infections, infections that are not cleared with a topical medicine, or infections in people with weakened immune systems. Examples include itraconazole (Sporanox), terbinafine (Lamisil), fluconazole (Diflucan), ketoconazole (Nizoral), and griseofulvin (Grisactin). Some newer tinea infections are resistant to oral griseofulvin and require the use of oral itraconazole or terbinafine.



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Tinea »

The dermatophytes are a group of fungi (ringworm) that invade the dead keratin of skin, hair, and nails.

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