“Ringworm” is somewhat of a misnomer. In fact, it’s a fungus, not a worm, behind about half the 650 million global infections that can affect skin, hair, and nails.1Ringworm (tinea). World Health Organization. June 19, 2024. Accessed February 17, 2026. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ringworm-(tinea) A group of fungi called dermatophytes is responsible for what’s typically referred to as ringworm.
Easily spread through skin-to-skin contact between people and animals, ringworm is among the most common fungal infections in the United States.2Kruithoff C, Gamal A, McCormick TS, Ghannoum MA. Dermatophyte infections worldwide: increase in incidence and associated antifungal resistance. Life. 2024;14(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/life14010001 A scaly circular rash is the telltale sign, but many people carrying dermatophytes are asymptomatic. Fungi can live on shared household objects, such as towels, bed sheets, blankets, utensils, and furniture, as well as on damp surfaces, like locker room floors.3Hill RC, Gold J, Lipner SR. Comprehensive review of tinea capitis in adults: epidemiology, risk factors, clinical presentations, and management. J Fungi. 2024;10(5). https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10050357
Diagnosing fungal infections
“Ringworm symptoms can be uncomfortable, painful, and in some cases, extensive enough to significantly and negatively impact quality of life,” says Michael Traub, ND, FABNO, an integrative dermatology expert and advisor for LearnSkin.
Because dermatophytes live on keratin protein in skin and hair, they can affect different parts of the body with varied symptoms1Ringworm (tinea). World Health Organization. June 19, 2024. Accessed February 17, 2026. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ringworm-(tinea):
- Body ringworm produces an itchy rash with raised borders that sometimes covers large areas of skin.
- Scalp ringworm, more pervasive among children, causes itching, redness, and hair loss.
- Groin ringworm, also known as “jock itch,” may result from overly tight clothing and sweating. It’s more common in teen and adult males.
- Tinea pedis, or athlete’s foot, causes itching, burning, and scaling, typically between the toes.
- Nail ringworm (tinea unguium) makes nails thicker, discolored, and brittle. It may inhibit walking, especially in older adults.
Ringworm diagnosis typically includes a medical history, physical exam, and symptom evaluation. A fungal culture might also be needed.
“Ringworm can appear like a lot of other skin diseases,” explains Dr. Traub, “including atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, cutaneous T–cell lymphoma, and others that also have the typical annular scaly plaques with raised edges, pustules, and vesicles. However, it is easy to do a scraping or culture to accurately identify ringworm.”4Yee G, Syed HA, Al Aboud AM. Tinea corporis. StatPearls. 2025;Feb 14. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK544360/?report=reader
Recent research suggests a potential rise in sexually transmitted dermatophyte infections, which are often more severe and widespread and don’t follow regular patterns. Delayed diagnosis and misidentification are challenges with these cases.5Gupta AK, Liddy A, Megal L, et al. Sexually transmitted dermatophyte infections—a scoping review. Mycoses. 2025;68(7). https://doi.org/10.1111/myc.70088
Standard ringworm treatment
Ringworm is often treated with topical antifungal medications for two to six weeks. More serious cases may call for oral antifungals.6Sahoo AK, Mahajan R. Management of tinea corporis, tinea cruris, and tinea pedis: a comprehensive review. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2016;7(2):77-86. https://doi.org/10.4103/2229-5178.178099 Antifungal medications have mild side effects, including headaches, nausea, fever, or chills. Serious issues, such as cardiovascular or kidney issues, urinary tract infections, alopecia, respiratory issues, and liver toxicity, can also occur.7Patel P, Zito PM. Antifungal agents. StatePearls. 2025;Jul 6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538168/?report=reader
Conventional treatments have been associated with antifungal resistance, making this condition more challenging to treat—especially as ringworm infections increase worldwide.2Kruithoff C, Gamal A, McCormick TS, Ghannoum MA. Dermatophyte infections worldwide: increase in incidence and associated antifungal resistance. Life. 2024;14(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/life14010001
Several factors contribute to the spread of antifungal-resistant ringworm8Clinician brief: emerging ringworm. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. February 6, 2006. Accessed February 17, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/ringworm/hcp/clinical-overview/emerging-ringworm-facts-for-clinicians.html:
- Misuse/overuse of over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal creams
- Inappropriately prescribed antifungal medications and OTC treatments
- Use of topical combination antifungal-corticosteroid products
- Early discontinuation of prescription medication
Natural remedies for ringworm
“Ringworm responds very well to a naturopathic approach,” notes Dr. Traub, “as there are many [effective] natural treatments that will not lead to antimicrobial resistance. Treatment typically varies depending on the location.”
Among the many natural remedies for ringworm, tea tree oil tops the list. In addition to its potent antifungal properties, tea tree oil has antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory components.9Carson CF, Hammer KA, Riley TV. Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil: a review of antimicrobial and other medicinal properties. Clin. Microbiol. Rev. 2006;19(1). https://doi.org/10.1128/cmr.19.1.50-62.2006
“Other natural remedies include sage, propolis, and essential oils of oregano and bergamot,” says Dr. Traub. “Plants and essential oils shown to have antimicrobial activity include topical garlic extract gel [with] 1% ajoene, a compound isolated from garlic.”10Negri M, Salci TP, Shinobu-Mequita CS, et al. Early state research on antifungal natural products. Molecules. 2014;19(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules19032925,11Ledezma E, Marcano K, Jorquera A, et al. Efficacy of ajoene in the treatment of tinea pedis: a double-blind and comparative study with terbinafine. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2000;43. https://doi.org/10.1067/mjd.2000.107243
Aloe vera,12Fernando A, Perera R, Jayawardane MAMM, et al. Antifungal effect of Aloe barbadensis Miller gel extract on Candida albicans: development of an eco-friendly herbal antifungal finish on cotton fabric for medical application. Discov Appl Sci. 2024;6(19). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-024-05628-4 coconut oil,13Khalil II, Al-Abedi HFH, Jasim AS, Younus JG. Evaluation of the antifungal activity of coconut oil/chitosan nanoparticles against Microsporum canis. Open Vet J. 2025;15(10):4984-4996. https://www.openveterinaryjournal.com/?mno=264140 and even turmeric14Murugesh J, Annigeri RG, Mangala GK, Mythily PH, Chandrakala J. Evaluation of the antifungal efficacy of different concentrations of Curcuma longa on Candida albicans: an in vitro study. J Oral Maxillofac Pathol. 2019 May-Aug;23(2):305. https://doi.org/10.4103/jomfp.JOMFP_200_18 may have antifungal properties. Aloe and coconut both soothe itchy and irritated skin.
“Topical treatments are effective when consistently applied daily,” says Dr. Traub. “Lack of compliance with daily application can be an obstacle to [a] cure.”
Dr. Traub cautions that while the goal is to get rid of the rash, “visual clearance of ringworm does not mean that it’s been cured. Microscopic fungus may remain, and treatment should be continued for at least a month to prevent recurrence.”
Making prevention a priority
To help prevent ringworm, it’s best to avoid sharing personal items like clothing, towels, bedding, and sports gear. Wear protective footwear in locker rooms and public showers, and shower promptly after practices or games. Keep skin clean and dry, wear loose-fitting shoes to promote airflow, and change socks and underwear daily. If you have pets, vacuum areas where they’ve shed, and wear gloves and long sleeves when handling an infected animal.
Footnotes
- 1Ringworm (tinea). World Health Organization. June 19, 2024. Accessed February 17, 2026. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ringworm-(tinea)
- 2Kruithoff C, Gamal A, McCormick TS, Ghannoum MA. Dermatophyte infections worldwide: increase in incidence and associated antifungal resistance. Life. 2024;14(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/life14010001
- 3Hill RC, Gold J, Lipner SR. Comprehensive review of tinea capitis in adults: epidemiology, risk factors, clinical presentations, and management. J Fungi. 2024;10(5). https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10050357
- 4Yee G, Syed HA, Al Aboud AM. Tinea corporis. StatPearls. 2025;Feb 14. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK544360/?report=reader
- 5Gupta AK, Liddy A, Megal L, et al. Sexually transmitted dermatophyte infections—a scoping review. Mycoses. 2025;68(7). https://doi.org/10.1111/myc.70088
- 6Sahoo AK, Mahajan R. Management of tinea corporis, tinea cruris, and tinea pedis: a comprehensive review. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2016;7(2):77-86. https://doi.org/10.4103/2229-5178.178099
- 7Patel P, Zito PM. Antifungal agents. StatePearls. 2025;Jul 6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538168/?report=reader
- 8Clinician brief: emerging ringworm. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. February 6, 2006. Accessed February 17, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/ringworm/hcp/clinical-overview/emerging-ringworm-facts-for-clinicians.html
- 9Carson CF, Hammer KA, Riley TV. Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil: a review of antimicrobial and other medicinal properties. Clin. Microbiol. Rev. 2006;19(1). https://doi.org/10.1128/cmr.19.1.50-62.2006
- 10Negri M, Salci TP, Shinobu-Mequita CS, et al. Early state research on antifungal natural products. Molecules. 2014;19(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules19032925
- 11Ledezma E, Marcano K, Jorquera A, et al. Efficacy of ajoene in the treatment of tinea pedis: a double-blind and comparative study with terbinafine. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2000;43. https://doi.org/10.1067/mjd.2000.107243
- 12Fernando A, Perera R, Jayawardane MAMM, et al. Antifungal effect of Aloe barbadensis Miller gel extract on Candida albicans: development of an eco-friendly herbal antifungal finish on cotton fabric for medical application. Discov Appl Sci. 2024;6(19). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-024-05628-4
- 13Khalil II, Al-Abedi HFH, Jasim AS, Younus JG. Evaluation of the antifungal activity of coconut oil/chitosan nanoparticles against Microsporum canis. Open Vet J. 2025;15(10):4984-4996. https://www.openveterinaryjournal.com/?mno=264140
- 14Murugesh J, Annigeri RG, Mangala GK, Mythily PH, Chandrakala J. Evaluation of the antifungal efficacy of different concentrations of Curcuma longa on Candida albicans: an in vitro study. J Oral Maxillofac Pathol. 2019 May-Aug;23(2):305. https://doi.org/10.4103/jomfp.JOMFP_200_18
