Symptoms of tinea corporis include pink-to-red, round patches on the skin that sometimes itch.
Doctors examine the affected area and sometimes view a skin scraping under a microscope to make the diagnosis.
Treatment includes antifungal drugs applied directly to the affected areas or sometimes taken by mouth.
(See also Overview of Fungal Skin Infections Overview of Fungal Skin Infections Fungi usually make their homes in moist areas of the body where skin surfaces meet: between the toes, in the genital area, and under the breasts. Common fungal skin infections are caused by... read more .)
Tinea corporis is a type of dermatophytosis Overview of Dermatophytoses (Ringworm, Tinea) Dermatophytoses are fungal infections of the skin and nails caused by several different fungi and classified by the location on the body. Dermatophyte infections are also called ringworm or... read more . Tinea corporis is usually caused by Trichophyton or Microsporum.
The infection generally causes pink-to-red, round patches with raised scaly borders that tend to be clear in the center. Sometimes the rash is itchy. Tinea corporis can develop anywhere on the skin and can spread rapidly to other parts of the body or to other people with whom there is close bodily contact.
This photo shows a pink-to-red, round patch of body ringworm. The patch has raised borders, some scaling, and some clearing of the center at the bottom of the patch.
Image provided by Thomas Habif, MD.
Both patches seen in this photo are caused by tinea corporis. A scaly border can be seen in the patch on the right.
© Springer Science+Business Media
The round patch of body ringworm seen in this photo has a raised border and a mostly clear center.
© Springer Science+Business Media
Diagnosis of Body Ringworm
A doctor's examination
Sometimes examination of a skin scraping
Doctors base the diagnosis of tinea corporis on an examination of the skin.
Sometimes doctors analyze skin scrapings Scrapings Doctors can identify many skin disorders simply by looking at the skin. A full skin examination includes examination of the scalp, nails, and mucous membranes. Sometimes the doctor uses a hand-held... read more 
under a microscope to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment of Body Ringworm
Antifungal drugs applied to the skin or taken by mouth
Tinea corporis is treated with imidazole, ciclopirox, naftifine, or terbinafine in cream, lotion, or gel that is applied directly to the affected area (topical) twice a day and continued for 7 to 10 days after the rash completely disappears, which usually takes about 2 to 3 weeks. If the cream is discontinued too soon, the infection may not be eradicated, and the rash will return. Several days may pass before antifungal creams, lotions, or gels reduce symptoms. (See also table Some Antifungal Drugs Applied to the Skin (Topical Drugs) Some Antifungal Drugs Applied to the Skin (Topical Drugs) 
.)
Infections that are difficult to treat and relatively widespread can occur in people infected with Trichophyton rubrum and in people with debilitating diseases. For such people, the most effective therapy is an antifungal drug, such as itraconazole or terbinafine, taken by mouth for 2 to 3 weeks.
Drugs Mentioned In This Article
| Generic Name | Select Brand Names |
|---|---|
ciclopirox |
Ciclodan, Ciclodan Nail Solution, Loprox, Loprox TS, Penlac |
terbinafine |
Desenex Max, Lamisil, Lamisil AT, Lamisil AT Athletes Foot, Lamisil AT Jock Itch, Terbinex |
