Ringworm Treatment

Medically Reviewed by Zilpah Sheikh, MD on May 23, 2024
Written by Frances Gatta, Amy Gopal
5 min read

Your ringworm treatment depends on where the infection is on your body and how serious it is. In many cases, your doctor may recommend a drug you can buy over the counter (OTC) at your local drugstore. Others need a prescription.

Untreated ringworm

If left untreated, ringworm may worsen, spreading to other areas. It's also more likely to spread to other people. If the ringworm involves your scalp, you may have pus-filled sores on your scalp called kerions. You could also have hair loss, emotional distress, and self-esteem or body image issues. 

If the infection is on your skin -- as in the case of athlete’s foot or jock itch -- your doctor will likely suggest an OTC antifungal cream, lotion, or powder.

Ringworm treatment cream

Ringworm treatment creams that may work for your case are:

  • Clotrimazole (Lotrimin)
  • Ketoconazole (Xolegel)
  • Miconazole 
  • Terbinafine (Lamisil)

Apply these creams gently over the affected area and areas close to it. You might need to use them twice a day, morning and night. 

You may have side effects when using ringworm treatment creams. Side effects include:

  • Skin rash
  • Burning
  • Stinging
  • Swelling
  • Redness
  • Irritation

See a doctor immediately if you have any of these symptoms. 

In most cases, you’ll have to use the medicines on your skin for 2 to 4 weeks so they kill the fungus that causes ringworm. Even if you see improvement, keep treating your ringworm for the length of time your doctor says. It’ll also lower the chances of it coming back. 

See a doctor if, after treating your ringworm with these creams, your ringworm stays the same or worsens. 

If you have ringworm on your scalp or in many places on your body, OTC treatments may not be enough. Your doctor will write a prescription for an antifungal medication that you’ll have to take by mouth for 1 to 3 months.

Fluconazole, griseofulvin, itraconazole, and terbinafine are the oral medicines doctors prescribe most often for ringworm.

Griseofulvin (Grifulvin V, Gris-PEG).You take this medication for 8 to 10 weeks. It’s also available as a spray. Side effects include nausea, vomiting, mild diarrhea, headache, and indigestion. Griseofulvin can cause birth defects, so you can’t take it if you’re pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. You should use condoms during sex for up to 6 months after stopping treatment. It also can cause birth control pills not to work. And you shouldn’t drive or drink alcohol while you’re taking it.

Itraconazole. This is prescribed in pill form for 7 or 15 days. It’s not for use in children, the elderly, or those with severe liver disease. While taking it, you may experience nausea, vomiting, indigestion, diarrhea, or headache. See your doctor if you don’t see any improvement in your symptoms or infection after you’ve finished your treatment.

Terbinafine. You take this once a day for 4 weeks. Side effects usually are mild and don’t last long. They might include nausea, diarrhea, indigestion, and rashes. You won’t get a prescription for this if you have liver disease or lupus.

Fluconazole (Diflucan). The dosage and length of time you'll need to be on this prescription vary from person to person. 

Scalp ringworm treatment

Scalp ringworm is often treated with an antifungal medicine, griseofulvin, which you’ll take by mouth. Treatment may last for 4 to 8 weeks. 

Your doctor may also prescribe other medicines for scalp ringworm that you’ll take by mouth because creams, lotions, or powders alone don’t work for scalp ringworm. These medicines include:

  • Fluconazole
  • Itraconazole
  • Terbinafine
  • Steroid therapy to reduce inflammation and lower your risk of having hair loss when you have kerions
  • Antifungal shampoos and creams to prevent the scalp ringworm from spreading

Best medicine for ringworm

Ringworm is treated with an over-the-counter antifungal cream in mild cases, and the best medicine will depend on where it is on your body and how much it has spread. 

For example, if ringworm is on your hands, you may need stronger prescription antifungal medicine like itraconazole or terbinafine. 

How long should I take antifungal medicine for ringworm?

Depending on your case, you may need to take antifungal medicine for 2 to 4 weeks, but others may need treatment for up to 12 weeks. See a doctor if the ringworm worsens or doesn’t go away after treating it with over-the-counter or prescription medicines.

Tea tree oil for ringworm

Tea tree oil is an essential oil made from the leaves of the Australian tea tree. Early studies show it does work as an antifungal against ringworm. Other studies show that it works against athlete's foot when applied as a cream. You should only use tea tree oil topically as it is toxic if ingested.

Apple cider vinegar for ringworm 

Some sources suggest treating ringworm with apple cider vinegar by rubbing some on the infected area and covering it with a bandage. Studies show this vinegar does have some antifungal properties. However, doctors warn that, due to its acidic nature, apple cider vinegar can cause open sores and scarring when used to treat ringworm.

Keeping things clean prevents the infection from spreading to other parts of your body and to people and animals in your household. It will also prevent reinfection once your ringworm has cleared up.

Here are ways to keep things clean when you have a ringworm infection:

  • Keep your hands clean. Wash your hands each time you touch your rash and before you touch anyone else.
  • Wash your clothes, bedding, and towels. Wash everything you’ve touched or worn in hot water and laundry detergent.
  • Shower after workouts. This is especially important if you play contact sports.
  • Wear shower shoes. Protect your feet at the gym or pool.
  • Have your dog checked for fungal infection. Dogs can spread infection to you.
  • Clean the affected area with soap, and dry with a different towel from the rest of your body.
  • Wear fresh clothes, especially undergarments, every day.
  • Wash your clothes regularly and keep them dry when not in use.
  • Throw out or disinfect shoes in the case of athlete's foot.

Ringworm on your skin, scalp, nails and other body parts goes away with antifungal medicine you can take by mouth or apply, like creams, ointments, and powders. You may get these medicines over the counter or see a doctor for a prescription, depending on your case. You may have to take these medicines for up to 12 weeks, too. You can take over-the-counter medication when you first notice ringworm, but see a doctor if your symptoms worsen. 

How long is ringworm contagious?

Ringworm is contagious until 48 hours after you start treatment. It spreads between people with skin-to-skin contact.

Will ringworm heal on its own?

Ringworm can heal on its own. But this rarely happens. 

What are two signs of ringworm?

Two signs of ringworm are:

  • Itchy skin
  • A ring-shaped, scaly, cracked rash