Can eczema be confused with ringworm?
Though they can have similar symptoms of inflamed and itchy skin, eczema and ringworm are different. Eczema can be brought on by a number of factors, while ringworm is a fungal infection that you can usually cure with antifungal medications.
What type of eczema looks like ringworm?
Ringworm appears as a ring-shaped patch of dry, scaly, red skin. Nummular eczema is a type of eczema that causes a similar rash to ringworm. It leads to coin-shaped or oval patches, which can easily be mistaken for the rash caused by ringworm.
Can a fungal infection be mistaken for eczema?
Having one or more round areas is referred to as nummular (coin-shaped) eczema and may be confused with fungal infections. Some people develop red bumps or clear fluid-filled bumps that look "bubbly" and, when scratched, add wetness to the overall appearance.
Can eczema be in a ring shape?
Discoid eczema causes distinctive circular or oval patches of eczema. It can affect any part of the body, although it does not usually affect the face or scalp. Credit: The first sign of discoid eczema is usually a group of small spots or bumps on the skin.
How do I know if I have fungal or eczema?
Eczema is typically itchy, red and scaly. When it's flaring, the skin may even appear weepy, oozy or crusty from all the inflammation. Still, skin infections caused by bacteria usually present with a red, hot, swollen and tender rash that often is accompanied with pus.
What looks like ringworm but isnt?
Other conditions that occasionally look like ringworm include seborrhea, psoriasis, pityriasis, contact dermatitis (such as poison oak), drug reactions, tinea versicolor, vitiligo, erythema migrans (a rash seen in Lyme disease), and even lupus.
Does antifungal cream work on eczema?
Fungal infections require antifungal creams or medication. Similarly, a steroid cream may help with a fungal-infected eczema rash. Some antifungal creams that may help with the infection are available over the counter.
Can antifungal cream make eczema worse?
Two simple tests can distinguish them: a potassium hydroxide (KOH) prep and a culture. Even without testing, simple observation of clinical response should do the trick. A steroid cream makes a fungus worse and eczema better; an antifungal cream makes fungus better and does little or nothing for eczema.
How do I know if my rash is fungal?
What are symptoms of a fungal rash? A fungal rash is often red and itches or burns. You may have red, swollen bumps like pimples or scaly, flaky patches.
What can mimic ringworm?
Other less common symptoms that may look like ringworm include,Contact dermatitis.Psoriasis.Pityriasis rosea.Tinea versicolor (more common in children)Vitiligo.Erythema migrans (common in those with Lyme disease)Lupus.
What is a rash that looks like rings?
Ringworm often causes a ring-shaped rash that is itchy, scaly and slightly raised. The rings usually start small and then expand outward. Ringworm of the body (tinea corporis) is a rash caused by a fungal infection. It's usually an itchy, circular rash with clearer skin in the middle.
What is a rash that looks like a circle?
Ringworm of the body (tinea corporis) is a fungal infection that can cause an itchy, circular rash. Ringworm gets its name because of its ring shape — there is no worm under the skin.
What skin conditions look like ringworm?
Other rashes can look like ringworm, including spider bites, nummular eczema, and Lyme disease, a more serious infection that produces a bull's-eye shaped rash. These require different treatments, so it's important to consult a medical professional.
What triggers nummular eczema?
What triggers nummular eczema? It is triggered by dry conditions, such as winter or forced heat indoors; long, hot showers; or harsh skin-care products. If you have sensitive skin, you may have an increased risk of nummular eczema.
How can you tell the difference between nummular eczema and ringworm?
Ringworm is a contagious skin infection caused by a fungus. Nummular dermatitis is a type of eczema rather than a fungal infection. Ringworm tends to appear as one or two patches on your skin, but nummular eczema often causes multiple patches.
What does discoid eczema look like?
The first sign of discoid eczema is usually a group of small red spots or bumps on the skin. These then quickly join up to form larger pink, red or brown patches that can range from a few millimetres to several centimetres in size.
What is ringworm rash?
Ringworm is a common fungal infection of the skin ( ringworm is also termed tinea or dermatophytosis ), and the different types of ringworm are named for the location of the rash on the body (for example, tinea corporis [arm and/or leg], scalp [ tinea capitis ]). These infections were originally termed ringworm because they form circular rashes ...
What is the best treatment for ringworm?
Over-the-counter antifungals like clotrimazole, ketoconazole, miconazole, and terbinafine treat ringworm on the skin.
What is the difference between eczema and atopic dermatitis?
Atopic dermatitis and eczema both refer to skin conditions. Atopic dermatitis is a cause of eczema, which refers to skin conditions that cause inflammation and irritation. The terms are sometimes used interchangeably.
What is eczema skin?
Eczema is a common allergic skin condition. Learn more about types of eczema like atopic dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema and baby eczema. Find treatments like creams for face, hands, scalp, and more.
How can ringworm be transmitted?
Ringworm can be transferred from person to person by direct contact (skin to skin) and also by indirect contact such as touching an infected person's clothing or even by touching a bench or other object that has contacted an infected person's skin.
How long does it take for ringworm to show symptoms?
Signs and symptoms appear about 4-14 days after exposure to the fungus. Ringworm is contagious. Risk factors include direct contact with an individual (or animal) infected with the fungus or indirect contact by sharing clothing or towels from someone infected. Other risk factors include contact sports like. wrestling,
Why does my swollen thigh itch?
There are many causes of itching to include: infection (jock itch, vaginal itch), disease (hyperthyroidism, liver or kidney), reactions to drugs, and skin infestations (pu bic or body lice). Treatment for itching varies depending on the cause of the itch.
With treatment options for each skin condition
Carrie Madormo, RN, MPH, is a freelance health writer with over a decade of experience working as a registered nurse in a variety of clinical settings.
Frequent Symptoms
Ringworm and nummular eczema can appear as very similar rashes. They both cause circular, dry, itchy patches of skin.
Rare Symptoms
In addition to an itchy rash, ringworm can also cause hair loss. 6 This happens when the affected patch of skin fills with pus or crusts over. Hair in the affected area then falls out. This is especially common in the scalp and beard area.
Home Remedies and Lifestyle
Home remedies and lifestyle changes can be very helpful in managing and even preventing a ringworm infection and flares of nummular eczema.
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medication
When home remedies and lifestyle changes are not successful in improving your symptoms, it’s time to move on to the next step. Many cases of both ringworm and eczema can be treated at home with over-the-counter (OTC) treatments.
Summary
Ringworm and nummular eczema are commonly confused with each other because both conditions cause a circular-shaped rash and dry, itchy skin. If you are experiencing these symptoms, it’s important to see a primary care doctor for diagnosis because the two conditions require different treatment.
A Word From Verywell
Ringworm and nummular eczema share many of the same symptoms, so it can be difficult to tell them apart. Ringworm is a fungal infection and easily spreads between humans and animals. Eczema is a chronic inflammatory skin condition and is not contagious.
How to tell if you have ringworm or nummular eczema?
Symptoms. Though both skin conditions may cause redness and itchy, scaly skin, some symptoms differ between nummular eczema and ringworm. Nummular eczema has these additional symptoms: Dry skin all over the body. Tiny red spots that turn into large rashes across the skin. Some patches may be larger than 4 inches.
What is ringworm skin?
Ringworm is sometimes mistaken for forms of eczema and other skin conditions, like psoriasis. Unlike nummular eczema, the affected areas don’t vary in color, and the patches don’t burn and sometimes don’t even itch.
How long does it take for eczema to clear up?
Nummular eczema may take longer to treat than ringworm does. It may clear up within a year, though there’s a risk that it could return. Patches and sores on the lower body can take longer to clear up, and some people experience scarring.
How long does it take for ringworm to heal?
For ringworm, most people see improvements after just a few weeks of treatment. Sometimes it takes up to six weeks.
What does a ringworm test show?
A sample can help them determine if you have a staph infection from eczema, or if it’s a fungal infection related to ringworm. Red, circular rashes on the skin are a telltale sign of ringworm, but your doctor may also test a sample to confirm.
What doctor can diagnose ringworm?
You’ll need to see your doctor for a diagnosis of either condition. It’s best to have nummular eczema diagnosed by a dermatologist. A doctor specializing in skin conditions (dermatologist) or even your primary care doctor can help determine a treatment plan and rule out other conditions.
What does it mean when you have a red spot on your face?
Tiny red spots that turn into large rashes across the skin. Some patches may be larger than 4 inches. These may also be round. Patches on the skin that vary in color: While many are red, they can also be brown, pink, or yellow. Yellow patches that are crusty may mean infection.
What is the ringworm?
Ringworm – Despite the name, ringworm isn’t caused by a worm. It’s a type of fungus, the same type that causes athlete’s foot and jock itch, in fact. The name comes from the appearance of the condition, a red ring around a white center of scaly skin.
What causes scaly patches on the face?
Eczema – While doctors aren’t sure exactly what causes eczema, they do know it’s not caused by any kind of fungus. It’s thought to be a combination of dry, irritable skin and some sort of disorder or malfunction of the immune system. Eczema causes scaly patches of skin, but unlike ringworm, these aren’t round or ring-like in appearance.
Can ringworm be treated with antifungal medication?
Ringworm is caused by a fungus, so it must be treated with antifungal medication or by natural treatments with antifungal properties. Here is more information on ringworm treatment. Antifungal treatments will do nothing for eczema, however.
Is ringworm contagious?
When trying to determine if you’ve got ringworm or e czema, one other factor to consider is the fact that ringworm is contagious. Eczema is not. If other members of your household are suffering from the same skin problem, it’s probably not eczema. If you’re not certain what skin condition you’re dealing with, see your doctor.
Is ringworm a skin condition?
Ringworm has a pretty distinctive appearance. You’re not likely to mistake it for something else. Eczema , on the other hand, looks a bit like some other skin conditions, including, psoriasis, so it may be harder to determine if that’s what you’re dealing with.
Can you tell if you have eczema or ringworm?
Ringworm. If you’ve got a skin condition and are wondering if it’s ringworm or eczema, you’ve come to the right place. Of course, for a 100% accurate diagnosis, you should see a doctor find out if you’ve got eczema or ringworm. We can tell you what each condition looks like, though, and also show you some pictures of both ringworm ...
Is eczema a ringworm?
Eczema causes scaly patches of skin, but unlike ringworm, these aren’t round or ring-like in appearance. Patches of eczema are red or brownish in color and may ooze or bleed, especially if you scratch the area a lot. Eczema is not just itchy, it can be pretty painful, as well. Ringworm has a pretty distinctive appearance.
How to tell the difference between ringworm and eczema?
Ringworm and Eczema: How they appear and how to tell the difference. Both nummular eczema and ringworm appear as a red rash in a ring or coin shape. Both patches can appear dry and itchy and can grow over time and appear in clusters.
What is a ringworm shaped eczema?
What is Nummular Eczema? Nummular eczema is a condition in which people develop red or brown areas on their skin that are coin-shaped or oval, similar to the shape of ringworm. These spots or patches can appear on the arms, hands, legs, or torso. The skin appears dry and may have a burning or itching feeling.
How old is a woman with nummular eczema?
If women experience the condition, they typically notice it between the ages of 13 and 25 years old.
What is ringworm skin?
According to Dr. Giacomo Maggiolino, board-certified dermatologist with Forefront Dermatology, “Ringworm is a skin infection caused by a fungus. The name signifies the visual sign of this rash which includes a ring-shaped pattern that features a raised and scaly border.”.
How long does ringworm last?
If you suspect that you may have ringworm, start by applying antifungal cream, ointment or spray for up to 4 weeks. If it persists or begin to cover a larger portion of the body, visit your local dermatologist to receive a stronger prescription cream or pill.
Can ringworm be found anywhere?
Ringworm has the ability to occur anywhere on your body. Ringworm can happen to anyone, anywhere. It is not a regional problem. Your chances increase though if you live in a tropical area, spend time in hot and humid weather, or sweat heavily.
Can ringworm be self diagnosed?
While it may seem easy enough to self-diagnosis, you should see your local board-certified dermatologist to get proper diagnosis and treatment. Your dermatologist may need to take a tissue sample to confirm their diagnosis. Treatment for Ringworm vs Eczema.
How can you tell the difference between ringworm and eczema?
Ringworm is usually distinguished by its round shape and the fact that it has a defined edge, while eczema can be more varied in terms of shape and size. Ringworm also tends to be itchy, whereas eczema may not always be itchy. Finally, ringworm will often have small black dots in the center of the ring, while eczema will not.
Symptoms of Ringworm vs. Nummular Eczema
While both conditions can present as itchy, red, and scaly there are some distinct differences in each condition including longevity and transmission.
Treatment options for Ringworm and Eczema
It is important to choose the right treatment for your specific skin condition. As you can imagine if the goal is to stop the itching and discomfort let a doctor make the call!
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell the difference between ringworm and eczema? Ringworm is often round in shape, itchy, and has black dots at its center. Eczema symptoms include redness, dry skin, swelling of the affected area, oozing, and crusting if scratched.
Can ringworm and eczema be prevented?
Yes, many cases of ringworm are preventable by practicing good hygiene and keeping clean. If you have eczema, avoid scratching the affected skin to reduce your risk of infection or spreading it to other parts of your body.
When to seek treatment at Urgent Care?
If you have severe symptoms that do not improve after two weeks of treatment at home, if the rash is spreading to other parts of your body or a family member shows signs and symptoms of ringworm on their skin, then it’s time to seek care.
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Frequent Symptoms
Rare Symptoms
Home Remedies and Lifestyle
Over-The-Counter (OTC) Medication
Summary
A Word from Verywell
Frequently Asked Questions
- What rashes look like ringworm?
Ringworm appears as a ring-shaped patch of dry, scaly, red skin. Nummular eczema is a type of eczema that causes a similar rash to ringworm. It leads to coin-shaped or oval patches, which can easily be mistaken for the rash caused by ringworm. - Do ringworm and eczema have the same symptoms?
Ringworm and nummular eczema share many of the same symptoms, such as round, scaly, itchy patches of skin.