Overview
Ringworm of the body (tinea corporis) is a rash caused by a fungal infection. It’s usually an itchy, circular rash with clearer skin in the middle. Ringworm gets its name because of its appearance. No worm is involved.
Ringworm on an arm
Ringworm often causes a ring-shaped rash that is itchy, scaly and slightly raised. The rings usually start small and then expand outward.
Ringworm of the body is related to athlete’s foot (tinea pedis), jock itch (tinea cruris) and ringworm of the scalp (tinea capitis). Ringworm often spreads by direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person or animal.
Mild ringworm often responds to antifungal medications applied to the skin. For more-severe infections, you may need to take antifungal pills for several weeks.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of ringworm may include:
- 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
- A round, flat patch of itchy skin
- Overlapping rings