Tinea Corporis

Key points

• Patches usually have a raised, scaly edge with clearer skin at the centre.
• Sweating under clothing and close contact with an infected person both make picking up the fungus more likely.
• Treatment needs to continue for the full course, even once the rash starts to fade.

What causes it

Dermatophytes grow well in warm, damp conditions, and sweating under clothing raises the risk. The fungus passes between people through skin contact or shared towels and clothing. It can affect any part of the body; on the groin and feet it is known by other names (tinea cruris, tinea pedis).

Symptoms

The rash may be scaly, dry, swollen or itchy, and it can look red or darker than the surrounding skin depending on skin tone. On brown and black skin the colour change is less noticeable, so shape and texture are the clearer signs.

Treatment

Most cases clear with an antifungal cream. Betamethasone + Clotrimazole Cream contains clotrimazole and betamethasone in a 10g tube. Tablets are sometimes needed when the infection has spread across the body, or when skin treatment has not worked or keeps returning. Keep the area clean and dry, wear fabrics that let air through, and do not share towels or clothing. Pharmacy partners in India ship to Malaysia in discreet packaging.

When to see a doctor

Confirming that the infection is tinea before starting antifungal treatment is worthwhile. Seek advice if the rash spreads rapidly, becomes very inflamed, or has not improved after two weeks of treatment.

What the sources say

• Ringworm is a common fungal infection and is not caused by worms (NHS).
• The rash is usually ring-shaped, though it may look different on the face, neck or scalp (NHS).
• Tablets are used when the infection has spread across the body or skin treatment has not worked or keeps coming back (Healthdirect).

Further reading

• Ringworm - NHS
• Tinea - symptoms, types & treatment - Healthdirect