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May 20, 2013
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Ringworm on Body (cont.)

Medical Author:
Allison Harvey, MD
Medical Editor:
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Medical Treatment

  • If only one or two lesions exist, topical antifungal therapy is sufficient. You may be given a prescription for any of the following topical medications:


    • Imidazoles


      • Clotrimazole (Lotrimin)


      • Miconazole (Monistat-Derm)


      • Ketoconazole (Nizoral)


      • Econazole (Spectazole)


      • Oxiconazole (Oxistat)


      • Sulconazole (Exelderm)


      • Sertaconazole (Ertaczo)


    • Allylamines


    • Naphthiomates


      • Tolnaftate (Tinactin)


    • Substituted pyridines


      • Ciclopirox (Loprox)


  • Although a topical corticosteroid is sometimes used to help relieve the itching, this should be avoided as much as possible. Steroids are never used as the only treatment in ringworm infections, as their use may worsen the infection and make the fungus more likely to spread into the hair follicles. Combination products may mix an antifungal medication with a steroid. These are usually more expensive and should also be avoided.


  • Bacterial superinfections usually require antibiotics. Seriously infected or deep abscesses may require surgical drainage.


  • 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), and griseofulvin (Grisactin). Although griseofulvin is the least expensive oral medicine, it has more side effects and does not work on as many types of ringworm as the newer medications.

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Ringworm on Body - Describe Your Experience

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Please describe your experience with ringworm. What treatments helped?

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Read What Your Physician is Reading on Medscape

Tinea »

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

Read More on Medscape Reference »


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