At a glance
- Ringworm is a fungus, not a worm; it causes an itchy, scaly patch that often forms a ring.
- The patch looks red on light skin and gray or brown on darker skin.
- On the body: antifungal cream twice a day, kept up for 7 days after the rash is gone.
- Scalp ringworm needs prescription pills for 1 to 3 months; creams do not work on the scalp.
- Do not put steroid creams such as hydrocortisone on a rash that could be ringworm.
- No need to miss school; after 48 hours of treatment it no longer spreads to others.
- If ringworm keeps coming back, have the family puppy or kitten checked by a vet.
What ringworm looks like
On the body, ringworm starts as a scaly patch that grows outward. Once it is about ½ inch across, it often looks like a ring with a raised, bumpy edge and a smoother center.
On the scalp, look for flaky or red patches, broken hairs, crusty bumps or bald spots. Glands in the neck may swell.
Ringworm can also affect the feet (athlete’s foot), the groin (jock itch) and the nails, which become thick and yellow-brown.
Not every round rash is ringworm. A doctor can usually tell by looking and may scrape a few skin flakes to confirm it.
When to call the doctor
- Seek care the same day if your child seems ill or has a fever with redness spreading from the rash.
- Call within 24 hours if pus drains from the rash or a new ring-shaped rash appears within a month of a tick bite.
- Call during office hours for any rash on the scalp or nails, since these need prescription medicine.
- Also call for more than 3 patches, or if your child is a wrestler.
- Call if the rash grows or spreads after a week of cream, or is still there after 4 weeks.
Ringworm: when to get help
- Seek care todayA child who seems ill, or fever with redness spreading from the rash.
- Call within 24 hoursPus draining from the rash, or a new ring within a month of a tick bite.
- Call during office hoursScalp or nails, more than 3 patches, a wrestler, spreading after a week of cream, or not gone at 4 weeks.
- Care at home1 to 3 small patches on the body: antifungal cream twice a day.
Treatment
- For the body, use a nonprescription antifungal cream such as clotrimazole, miconazole or terbinafine.
- Spread it on the rash and 1 inch (2.5 cm) beyond its edge, twice a day.
- Most patches need 2 to 4 weeks of cream; keep going for at least 7 days after the skin looks clear.
- Scalp and nail infections need antifungal medicine by mouth from the doctor, for 1 to 3 months on the scalp and longer for nails.
- A medicated shampoo may be added for scalp ringworm; it helps stop spread but does not cure it alone.
- Avoid steroid creams and steroid-antifungal mixes, which weaken the skin’s defense and can make the fungus spread.
Skin, scalp or nails: what treatment works
- Nonprescription antifungal cream
- Usually 2 to 4 weeks
- Prescription pills; creams do not work here
- Usually 1 to 3 months
- Prescription pills
- Several months to a year
How it spreads and how to prevent it
- It passes by skin contact with people or animals, and through shared towels, sheets, combs and hats.
- Puppies, kittens and pet rodents are common sources, so check pets for scaly, itchy or hairless spots.
- Give each child their own brush, comb, hair clips, hats and towel.
- Keep skin clean and dry, change socks and underwear every day, and wear sandals in locker rooms and public showers.
- Wash hands after touching pets or the rash.
School, child care and sports
Children with ringworm do not need to miss school or child care. Covering the patch with clothing helps while treatment starts.
Wrestlers can go back to the mat after 3 days of treatment, and should keep using the medicine until the rash is gone.
Common questions
Is ringworm contagious?
Yes, through touch with an infected person or animal and through shared items. Once your child has had two days of treatment, the risk to others is low.
How long does ringworm take to go away?
A patch on the body usually fades within a month with daily cream. Scalp ringworm takes longer because the pills are needed for 1 to 3 months.
Can I use hydrocortisone cream on ringworm?
No. Steroids calm the itch for a while but help the fungus grow, so use an antifungal cream instead.
Can my child catch ringworm from our cat or dog?
Yes, young pets are a frequent source. A vet can treat the animal so your child does not keep getting reinfected.
What does ringworm on the scalp look like?
It can look like dandruff with patchy hair loss, black dots of broken hair or crusty sores. Any scaly patch with hair loss should be checked by a doctor.
Sources
- CDC — Ringworm Basics
- CDC — Treatment of Ringworm
- AAP — Tinea Infections (Ringworm, Athlete’s Foot & Jock Itch)
- AAP — Ringworm (KidsDoc Symptom Checker)
Written for Pedemy in our own words from the sources above; checked October 2026. For education only, not medical advice. Pedemy is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by the organizations cited.