How Long Is Ringworm Contagious? What You Should Know

Overview: What Is Ringworm?

Ringworm is a common and highly contagious fungal infection. Up to 25% of the world’s population may have experienced ringworm at some point in their lifetime. Despite the name, a worm is not involved in ringworm infections. 

It is called ringworm because the fungus causes an itchy, scaly, ring-shaped rash in the affected area (a circular area of redness with clearer skin in the middle).

More than 40 different species of fungus can cause a ringworm fungal infection, the most common being Microsporum, Trichophyton, and Epidermophyton. 

Types of Ringworm Infections

Ringworm is called by different names depending on the part of the body involved:

• Ringworm of the body (arms, legs, torso, or face) is called tinea corporis.

• Scalp ringworm is called tinea capitis.

• Ringworm of the groin, pubic area, and upper thighs is called tinea cruris or jock itch.

• Ringworm of the feet is called tinea pedis or athlete’s foot.

• Ringworm of the hands is called tinea manuum.

• Ringworm of the beard area (neck, chin, and cheeks) is known as tinea barbae.

• Ringworm of the toenails or fingernails is called tinea unguium or onychomycosis.

How Does Ringworm Spread?

Ringworm spreads easily through direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person or animal. It is a highly contagious fungal infection. Simply brushing against an infected person’s skin can cause you to contract ringworm. Ringworm can also spread through contaminated surfaces such as public showers and locker room floors, as well as shared personal items such as towels, clothing, and combs.

Risk Factors for Ringworm 

Fungi thrive in warm, moist environments. Risk factors for contracting a ringworm infection include:

• Walking barefoot in public locker rooms or showers.

• Participating in contact sports that involve skin-to-skin contact, such as wrestling (this is called tinea gladiatorum).

• Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating).

• Wearing tight shoes and socks.

• Close contact with animals, including pets and livestock.

• A weakened immune system or autoimmune disorders.

Signs and Symptoms of Ringworm   

As mentioned, ringworm causes a circular or ring-shaped rash in the affected area. Here’s what a ringworm rash looks like:

• Flat, round, pink or red patches that are typically ½ to 1 inch (2.54 cm) in size.

• The patches often have a raised, rough, or scaly border and a central clear area.

• The ring slowly and symmetrically increases in size.

• Mild itching.

• Dryness, cracking, blistering, crusting, and pus-filled areas in the skin.

• Scalp ringworm can cause bald spots that grow bigger and may become permanent if the infection is not treated.

• Ringworm of the nails can cause thickening, discoloration, and deformation of the nails.

Stages of Ringworm Infection

A ringworm rash usually starts as a small scaly or flaky area of skin that itches. This rapidly progresses to form the classic ringworm rash with circular areas of redness with raised edges. As the rash spreads, the rings grow outwards in a symmetrical manner. More than one ring can be present, and multiple rings can be separate or overlapping. Burning, stinging, dryness, peeling, cracking, blistering, oozing, and crusting can develop in the affected areas. This can make it easier for germs to enter, increasing the risk of secondary infections.

How soon do symptoms of ringworm appear? 

The incubation period (the time period between exposure to ringworm and appearance of symptoms) is 10-14 days for ringworm of the scalp (tinea capitis) and 4-10 days for ringworm of the body (tinea corporis). 

Ringworm Transmission Frequently Asked Questions

Can Ringworm Go Away On Its Own?

Yes, ringworm may go away on its own. This can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. However, it is important to get treatment for ringworm to prevent complications such as secondary infections and also to prevent ringworm from spreading to others.

When Does Ringworm Stop Being Contagious?

Ringworm stops being contagious 48 hours after starting antifungal treatment. Without treatment, ringworm remains contagious as long as the rash is present, which can be three weeks or longer.

Can You Be Around Someone With Ringworm?

You can be around someone with ringworm as long as you don’t touch the infected skin or share clothing, towels, or sheets with an infected person. If someone in the household has been diagnosed with ringworm, everyone should wash their hands frequently. You need to take these precautions until an infected person’s ringworm is no longer contagious, which is 48 hours after they start treatment. Remember, untreated ringworm remains contagious for much longer. 

Do People with Ringworm Need to Quarantine?

People with ringworm do not need to be quarantined. They can continue going to work or school. However, people with ringworm should start treatment as soon as possible. As mentioned, ringworm is contagious for 48 hours after starting treatment. It is important to practice good hygiene to prevent ringworm from spreading to others. This includes avoiding direct contact with others and washing hands frequently.

Can You Get Ringworm From a Pet?

Yes, you can contract ringworm from pets and livestock. Talk to your vet about how long you need to take precautions if your pet has ringworm. Read more about ringworm treatment for cats and dogs.

How is Ringworm Treated?

Topical Antifungal Treatment

Treatment options for ringworm include over-the-counter (OTC) topical antifungal gels, creams, and powders. These are the best treatments for mild ringworm. Examples include topical terbinafine (Lamisil AT), clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF), miconazole (Desenex), and tolnaftate (Tinactin). 

Antifungal shampoos such as ketoconazole (Nizoral A-D) can help in preventing spread of ringworm of the scalp, but they do not cure the infection. Family members who don’t have ringworm may also use an antifungal shampoo to contain the spread of the infection in the household. However, to cure a ringworm infection of the scalp, infected persons need to take a prescription antifungal medication. 

Steroid creams should not be used on ringworm as they can cause worsening of the infection as they lower the skin’s ability to fight against the fungus.

Oral Medications for Ringworm

Rarely, if symptoms do not improve or get worse after two weeks of topical antifungal treatment, your healthcare provider may give you an oral antifungal medication. Treatment with an oral medication may be necessary for 1-3 months for scalp ringworm or ringworm in multiple areas of the body. Keep in mind that topical products such as powders, lotions, and creams don’t work for ringworm on the scalp.  Examples of oral antifungal medications include fluconazole (Diflucan), terbinafine (Lamisil), itraconazole (Sporanox), and griseofulvin (Gris-PEG). 

Home Remedies for Ringworm

There are no proven home remedies for ringworm; tea tree oil or apple cider vinegar do not cure a ringworm infection. Apple cider vinegar can actually cause worsening symptoms, including inflammation and open sores. 

How Do You Know When Ringworm Is Healing?

Typical Healing Timeline: How Long Does Ringworm Last?

In most people, mild ringworm clears up in 2-4 weeks. However, sometimes treatment is necessary for up to 3 months for serious infections, especially ringworm of the scalp and nails.

How Do You Know When Ringworm is No Longer Contagious?

You know ringworm is no longer contagious after you have been on antifungal treatment for 48 hours. Signs that ringworm is healing include:

• Gradual fading of the rash.

• Decrease in size of ringworm lesions.

• Less itching and discomfort.

• Smoother skin with the return of normal skin color and texture.

Importance of Completing Treatment

Antifungal medications work quickly. You may notice an improvement in ringworm symptoms soon after you start using an antifungal cream. However, it is important to finish the treatment even if your rash has faded and your symptoms are gone. 

If you stop antifungal treatment before a ringworm infection has been treated fully, it can come back and be harder to treat in the future. For best results, follow the package instructions on OTC antifungal medicines and take prescription antifungal medications as advised by your doctor.

Tips on Treating and Preventing the Spread of Ringworm

Here are some tips from the American Academy of Dermatology and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Following these tips will help you get the best results from ringworm treatment:

• Use the antifungal medication for as long as recommended by your healthcare provider or on the package.

• Treat ringworm in all areas at the same time. For example, if you have ringworm on your hands and feet, treating both areas is necessary to prevent the infection from spreading back and forth.

• Avoid touching the areas with ringworm. If you do touch the affected area, wash your hands with soap and water before touching any other part of your body. This is to prevent ringworm spreading from one part of your body to another.

• Keep your skin clean and dry. Use a separate towel to dry areas with ringworm. 

• Change your clothes every day, including socks and underwear. 

• Wash your clothes and bedsheets at the hottest setting on the washing machine to kill the fungal spores. 

• If you have athlete’s foot, throw away any footwear that you wore before treating your ringworm symptoms. If you cannot discard the footwear, disinfect it using an ultraviolet light or ozone sanitizer.

• Use disinfectant sprays such as bleach or Lysol to eliminate the fungus from surfaces in your home. 

• Minimize direct contact with infected pets. You may need to restrict your pet to rooms that are easy to clean until the infection clears.

Cleaning and Disinfection

• Use disinfectant sprays like bleach or Lysol to kill any fungal spores on surfaces in your home.

• Vacuum any areas frequented by infected animals.

Tips for Prevention of Ringworm

• Fungi grow in warm, humid areas, which is why it’s important to keep your skin clean and dry. Shower immediately after working out or playing sports. Dry your skin thoroughly with a clean towel. Don’t forget to dry between the toes.

• Change your socks and underwear daily and every time they become soiled or damp with sweat.

• Wear shower shoes or flip flops in public showers, locker rooms, and pool areas.

• Avoid sharing personal items such as washcloths, towels, clothes, or sheets with others.

• Wash clothes, workout gear, towels, and sheets in hot water and detergent.

• Regularly clean surfaces with disinfectant sprays.

• Wash your hands after touching animals.