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Key Information

Ringworm is a common fungal infection of the skin. Despite the name, there are no worms involved.

Use your antifungal treatment for the full course as advised, even if the rash starts to look better sooner.

Keep the affected area clean and dry, wash your hands after touching it, and avoid sharing towels, clothes, bedding, combs or hairbrushes while it is being treated.

If ringworm returns, a pharmacist can often advise on treatment. Contact the practice if the rash is spreading quickly, very painful, looks infected, is on your face or scalp, keeps coming back or is not improving.

What Is Ringworm?

Ringworm is a common fungal infection that lives on the surface of the skin. It often causes a circular or ring-shaped rash with a scaly edge and a clearer centre.

Depending on your skin tone, the rash may look red, silver, darker than the surrounding skin or may be more difficult to see clearly. It may also feel dry, itchy or irritated.

How Should I Use My Treatment?

If you have been given or recommended an antifungal cream, gel or spray, use it for the full course, even if the rash starts to look better sooner.

Stopping too early can mean the infection has not fully cleared and may come back.

How Can I Reduce the Chance of Spreading Ringworm?

Keep the affected area clean and dry and wash your hands after touching the rash or applying treatment.

Avoid sharing towels, clothes, bedding, combs or hairbrushes while the infection is being treated. Wash towels, bedding and clothing regularly and try not to scratch the rash.

Why Might Ringworm Come Back?

Ringworm can sometimes be picked up from another person, a pet, shared items, gym mats, changing rooms or other damp shared spaces.

If you think a pet may have ringworm, it is worth contacting a vet, otherwise the infection can keep coming back.

What Should I Do If Ringworm Returns?

If the same type of ring-shaped, itchy and scaly rash happens again, your local pharmacist is usually the fastest place to get advice and treatment. A pharmacist can often recommend an antifungal treatment without a GP appointment.

When Should I Contact the Practice?

Please contact the practice if the rash is spreading quickly, is very painful, looks infected, is on your face or scalp, keeps coming back, or is not improving despite using the treatment as recommended.

If you are not sure about your rash or it is not improving as expected, please ask the practice for advice.

What Happens Next?

Use your antifungal treatment for the full course as advised.

Keep the area clean and dry and avoid sharing items that touch the affected skin.

Speak to a pharmacist if ringworm happens again, and contact the practice if it is not improving or you are worried about the rash.

Further Information

To learn more about ringworm, please visit the NHS website.

Last reviewed: 7 August 2026

Next review due: 7 August 2029