What happens if you have ringworm for a long time?

If left untreated, ringworm can spread to other areas of your body. You may also risk spreading the infection to someone else. Other potential complications include: hair loss and scarring.

How long is too long for ringworm?

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.

Can ringworm stay for years?

There's no set time limit for a ringworm infection. Without treatment, it may go away on its own in a matter of months in a healthy person. Or it may not. Ringworm on the body is usually treated with a topical ointment such as terbinafine.

What happens if ringworm doesn't go away?

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.

Can ringworm cause permanent damage?

Ringworm is a round red or discolored rash caused by a common fungal infection. While most people heal from ringworm without any lasting effects, a few people may experience permanent scarring. While these scars usually fade over time, there are several things you can do to prevent or minimize their appearance.

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Why is ringworm so hard to get rid of?

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.

How long can ringworm live untreated?

Ringworm remains contagious during the first 48 hours of treatment in people and for about 3 weeks from the start of aggressive treatment in pets. In both cases, untreated ringworm remains contagious for much longer. The fungal spores themselves can live for up to 20 months.

What can untreated ringworm turn into?

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.

Can ringworm make you sick?

Following the pediatrician's treatment regimen is important because ringworm can get worse and make your child very sick with a widespread fungal infection. If your child's ringworm is worsening, he or she will have these signs and symptoms: Fever. Pus or drainage.

How do you get rid of stubborn ringworm?

Ringworm is treated with antifungal medicines that you either rub on the skin or take by mouth. Ringworm of the scalp is treated with a special shampoo and an oral antifungal medicine. You may have to keep using whatever medicine you're prescribed for several weeks to fully get rid of the infection.

What kills ringworm on skin?

Does scratching ringworm make it worse?

Touching or scratching the area with ringworm and then touching another area can spread ringworm from one part of your body to another.

What do the stages of ringworm look like?

A scaly ring-shaped area, typically on the buttocks, trunk, arms and legs. Itchiness. 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. Slightly raised, expanding rings.

Why is my ringworm getting worse?

Steroid creams can make ringworm worse because they weaken the skin's defenses. Steroid creams can allow ringworm infections to spread to cover more of the body. Ringworm that has been treated with steroid creams can have an unusual appearance, making it hard for healthcare providers to diagnose.

What are 3 symptoms of ringworm?

When do you know ringworm is healing?

Antifungal medication will easily resolve a ringworm infection, removing symptoms within a few days. Ringworm on the skin, such as tinea pedis (athlete's foot) and tinea cruris (jock itch), usually clears up in two to four weeks when treated using nonprescription antifungal medicine.

Which organ gets affected by ringworm?

Ringworm is a common infection of the skin and nails that is caused by fungus.

What happens physically to a person who gets ringworm?

The skin may flake, peel, or crack, and it can itch, sting, burn, or feel uncomfortable. Ringworm on the scalp may start as a small sore that looks like a pimple before becoming patchy, flaky, or scaly. These flakes may look like dandruff. It can make some hair fall out or break into stubble, leaving a bald spot.

Should I cover my ringworm when I sleep?

Do not cover the ringworm with a bandage. Wash and dry your hands well.

Can ringworm be fatal in humans?

Instead of affecting the skin, the fungi infect deep body tissues, including the liver or the brain. These deep fungal infections most commonly occur in people who have weakened immune systems and can be fatal.

Is ringworm something to worry about?

Ringworm is very common. Anyone can get ringworm, but people who have weakened immune systems may be especially at risk for infection and may have problems fighting off a ringworm infection.

Can ringworm be surgically removed?

Bacterial superinfections of skin that have a ringworm lesion usually require antibiotics. Seriously infected or deep abscesses may require surgical drainage.

How can you tell if ringworm is infected?

How is ringworm diagnosed? Your healthcare provider might suspect you have ringworm by looking at the affected skin and asking questions about your symptoms. Your healthcare provider will generally take a small skin scraping or nail sample to examine under a microscope or send to a laboratory for further testing.

Why do I keep getting ringworm?

These fungi thrive where it's warm and humid. Ringworm is common in tropical areas and during hot, humid summers. It flourishes in warm, moist locker rooms and indoor pools. You can also get ringworm when the weather is cool because ringworm is extremely contagious.

What is the main cause of ringworm?

Ringworm is a common skin infection that is caused by a fungus. It's called “ringworm” because it can cause a circular rash (shaped like a ring) that is usually red and itchy. Anyone can get ringworm.