Ringworm (Tinea) Skin Infection – Why Self-Treating Rashes Can Make It Worse

Do you know that because many people apply creams on skin rashes without proper medical advice, ringworm infections have become very common in Sri Lanka?

A very common habit is that when a rash appears, people avoid going to a hospital and instead use whatever cream is available at home—often a cream previously used for someone else’s skin condition—or buy random creams from a pharmacy without a proper diagnosis.

What is ringworm infection?

Ringworm (also called tinea) is not caused by a worm, even though the name suggests it. It is actually a fungal infection of the skin.

When a fungus infects the skin, it causes a rash.

This rash commonly appears in warm, moist areas of the body such as:

• Groin
• Armpits
• Buttocks
• Under the breasts
• Between toes
• Scalp

How does it spread?

Ringworm spreads through direct contact. It is more common in:

• People who sweat a lot
• Those who share clothes or towels
• Close-contact household members
• Pet animals (which can also transmit the infection)

Typical appearance

Ringworm usually appears as:

• A circular rash
• Red, raised edges
• Intense itching
• Scaling or peeling skin around the border
• Sometimes small blisters

Why rashes should NOT be treated randomly

Many skin rashes can be caused by:

• Allergies
• Chemicals like soap or detergent
• Metal in clothing
• Fungal or bacterial infections

Hospitals prescribe creams only after identifying the exact cause of the rash.

What happens when steroid creams are used incorrectly?

Steroid creams like hydrocortisone or betamethasone may reduce redness and itching temporarily, but they do NOT kill the fungus.

If ringworm is treated with steroid creams:

• The rash may look better temporarily
• But the fungus continues to grow
• The infection spreads more widely
• Once the steroid is stopped, the rash may become much worse

Over time, this can lead to:

• Widespread skin infection
• Thinning of the skin
• Stretch marks
• Difficulty in diagnosis because the rash looks “atypical”
• Delayed proper treatment
• Long-term persistent infection

A growing problem: resistant fungal infections

Misuse of steroid creams has contributed to fungal infections becoming resistant to treatment. Today, some tinea infections:

• Spread more easily
• Affect larger areas of the body
• Are harder to treat
• Can even appear on the face and neck

Why this is a public health issue

When one family member gets infected, it can easily spread to others if clothing and hygiene are not managed properly.

What you should do instead

If you have a rash:

• Do NOT self-medicate with random creams
• Avoid using steroid creams without medical advice
• Visit a doctor, preferably a skin specialist

Correct antifungal treatment, used properly and for the full duration, can completely cure ringworm.

Prevention of ringworm

To prevent infection:

• Keep skin clean and dry
• Change clothes and underwear daily
• Wash clothes, towels, and bedsheets regularly
• Do not share personal items (towels, clothes, combs, helmets)
• Trim nails short
• Wear loose, breathable clothing
• Wash hands after touching pets
• Avoid contact with stray animals

If treatment has started

If diagnosed with tinea:

• Use antifungal cream exactly as prescribed
• Continue treatment for the full course, even if symptoms improve early
• Do not stop medication halfway
• Wear light cotton clothing instead of tight fabrics

A simple rash may look harmless, but wrong treatment can make it a long-term problem not only for you but for the whole community.

Proper medical diagnosis and correct treatment are the safest way to cure and prevent the spread of ringworm infection.