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Ringworm (tinea) treatment available online today

Request treatment for ringworm online from our trusted, board-certified doctors and find relief today. Get a new prescription to treat ringworm or refill an existing prescription today.

Book an appointment

Medication services available for adults and kids (3+)

Top quality, board-certified doctors

Insurance accepted, but not required

Prescriptions sent to your local pharmacy*

*Disclaimer: PlushCare doctors cannot treat all cases of ringworm. Our primary care physicians can conduct an initial evaluation of your symptoms, but may need to refer you to a specialist or for in-person treatment. If you are experiencing life-threatening symptoms, seek emergency medical attention immediately.

Most major insurance plans accepted

Most patients with in-network insurance pay $30 or less. Paying without insurance? New patient visits are $129, and follow-ups are only $99 for members.

Don’t see your provider listed? Email [email protected]  or call  (888) 564-4454  to talk to a PlushCare specialist.

3 simple steps to request treatment for ringworm today 

Step 1: Book an appointment

Step 1

Book a ringworm treatment request appointment.

Book a same day appointment from anywhere.

Step 2: Visit with a doctor on your smartphone

Step 2

Talk to your medical provider regarding your ringworm symptoms.

Visit with a doctor on your smartphone or computer.

Step 3

Pick up prescription to treat ringworm.

We can send prescriptions to any local pharmacy.

Ringworm treatment pricing details

How pricing works

To request treatment for ringworm and get a new or refill on your prescription, join our monthly membership and get discounted visits

Paying with insurance

Membership

$14.99/month

First month free

First visit

Copay

For all visits

30 days of free membership

  • Same-day appointments 7 days a week

  • Unlimited messages with your Care Team

  • Prescription discount card to save up to 80%

  • Exclusive discounts on lab tests

  • Free memberships for your family

  • Cancel anytime

Visit price with insurance

Often the same as an office visit. Most patients with in-network insurance pay $30 or less!

  • We accept these insurance plans and many more:

    • Humana
    • Aetna
    • United Healthcare

Paying without insurance

Membership

$14.99/month

First month free

First visit

$129

Repeats only $99

30 days of free membership

  • Same-day appointments 7 days a week

  • Unlimited messages with your Care Team

  • Prescription discount card to save up to 80%

  • Exclusive discounts on lab tests

  • Free memberships for your family

  • Cancel anytime

Visit price without insurance

Initial visits are $129 and follow-ups are only $99 for active members.

Book an appointment

If we're unable to treat you, we'll provide a full refund.

Ringworm treatment FAQs

  • What is the best treatment for ringworm?

    Ringworm treatment depends on the location and severity of the infection. In many cases, ringworm, athlete’s foot, and jock itch can be treated effectively with OTC anti-fungal cream, but for more severe cases, your doctor may suggest prescription strength forms. If the ringworm is on the scalp, doctors will prescribe antifungal pills to be taken orally.

  • What cures ringworm fast?

    Most of the time, athlete’s foot, and jock itch can be cured relatively quickly with OTC anti-fungal cream. Some examples with common brand names (in bracket) are listed below:

    • Clotrimazole (Lotrimin, Mycelex)

    • Miconazole (Aloe Vesta Antifungal, Desenex, Fungoid Tincture, secura antifungal, carrington antifungal, critic aid clear)

    • Terbinafine (Lamisil)

  • How much does ringworm treatment cost?

    In most cases, athlete’s foot and jock itch can be cured relatively quickly with OTC anti-fungal cream. OTC treatments are relatively affordable and can be purchased without prescription at local pharmacies.

  • How is ringworm passed on?

    Ringworm is contagious and can spread from infected person, infected animal or the environment. The fungus that causes ringworm thrive in warm and damp environments.

  • How can I treat ringworm at home?

    Yes. Athlete’s foot, and jock itch can generally be treated at home with OTC antifungal medicine.

  • Does ringworm go away by itself?

    Maybe. In a healthy person, ringworm may go away by itself in a few months. However, it may not and can spread to other parts of the body. Mild case can be easily treated with OTC antifungal medicine.

Learn about ringworm (tinea)

Ringworm, also called tinea or dermatophytosis, is a type of fungal infection characterized by red, scaly rashes or patches, each usually surrounded by a ring. There are a few different types of ringworm, named according to the location they appear in.

These different types of ringworm infections include:

  • Tinea corporis: This tinea appears on the body

  • Tinea capitis: This ringworm infection appears on the scalp

  • Tinea cruris: Also called "jock itch," this tinea usually appears in males in the groin area or buttocks

  • Tinea pedis: Also called "athlete's foot," this ringworm infection appears on the feet, including in between the toes.

There are about 40 different species of fungi can cause ringworm. It is important to see a doctor for ringworm treatment as soon as possible to prevent spread to others.

Ringworm causes

Ringworm is a fungal infection that is caused by disease-causing fungi called dermatophytes. These fungi thrive in warm and damp environments, so ringworm often occurs in regions with hot and humid summers.

Is ringworm contagious? Yes it is, and it can spread in the following ways:

  • From an infected person

    Ringworm can easily spread from an infected person to others via direct skin to skin contact, or through personal items such as clothing, towels or combs.

  • From an infected animal

    Ringworm can also spread from an infected animal to people. Household pets such as dogs and cats, farm animals such as cows, pigs and horses can spread the infection to their owners.

  • From the environment

    The ringworm fungus grows on surfaces of damp areas like locker rooms, public showers and pool areas. When a person walks barefooted in these places, the fungal infections can spread to the feet.

Ringworm symptoms

  • Ringworm can infect almost any part of the body, including the nails. Ringworm symptoms may vary depending on the affected area, but for the most part, they include:

    • Red, cracked skin, often with a scaly patch

    • A ring-shaped rash

    • Slightly raised, expanding, or overlapping rings

    • Itchiness

    • Hair loss


    Below are some more specific symptoms based on the location on the body:

    • Scalp (tinea capitis) - Single to multiple bald spots on the scalp. The bald spot is typically red, scaly and itchy.

    • Feet (tinea pedis) - Red, swollen and itchy skin between the toes, and even the sole and heel of the foot. The skin can peel and even blister in severe cases.

    • Beard (tinea barbae) - Red, itchy and scaly spots on the face, specifically, cheeks, chin and upper neck.

    • Groin (tinea cruris) - Red, itchy and scaly spots on the inner thigh.

How to treat ringworm (tinea)

Ringworm treatment depends on the location and severity of the infection. In many cases, ringworm, athlete’s foot, and jock itch can be treated at home effectively, but for more severe cases, your doctor may suggest prescription strength anti-fungal cream. If the ringworm is on the scalp, doctors will prescribe antifungal pills to be taken orally for 1 - 3 months.

During the course of the treatment, keep the infection dry and wash thoroughly when bathing. Always wash your hands, change your clothes and undergarments from one day to the next, and try to wear loose-fitting, cotton clothing.

Ringworm medication

There are different types of antifungal medicine available on the market, depending on the location and severity of the infection.

  • Over-the-counter antifungal cream

    Most cases of athlete’s foot and jock itch can be treated with OTC treatments. Follow instructions and apply the antifungal medicine on the affected area. Some examples with common brand names (in bracket) are listed below:

    • Clotrimazole (Lotrimin, Mycelex)

    • Ketoconazole (Xolegel) - aside from topical gel, this is also available in antifungal shampoo (Nizoral)

    • Miconazole (Aloe Vesta Antifungal, Desenex, Fungoid Tincture, secura antifungal, carrington antifungal, critic aid clear)

    • Terbinafine (Lamisil)

  • Prescription-strength antifungal medicine

    For more severe cases, prescription medicine is needed. Typically, the same over-the-counter treatments medicines also carry prescription-strength counterparts:

    • Clotrimazole, also known as cruex (prescription strength) (Lotrimin Ultra)

    • Miconazole (Desenex prescription strength)

    • Ketoconazole (Ketozal, prescription-strength antifungal shampoo)

  • Oral antifungal pills

    If the ringworm is on the scalp, your doctor will prescribe stronger medicine such as oral antifungal medicine:

How to prevent ringworm

The fungus causing ringworm thrives in areas that are moist, so it is important to take basic sanitary precautions to prevent these fungal infections.

  • Wash your hands frequently

  • Keep skin clean and dry - if you play contact sports, shower right after the workout.

  • Keep shared areas clean

  • Do not share personal items - use your own clean towel, hairbrush or personal items, don't share.

When to see a doctor for ringworm (tinea)

If home treatments don’t improve your symptoms in two weeks, or the infection spreads, make an appointment with a doctor to start treatment with prescription-strength medicine.

Related conditions to ringworm

Other conditions may appear with symptoms that look very similar to the rashes caused by ringworm. These include:

  • Lyme disease

    Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that is transmitted by the tick. A symptom of Lyme disease is rash that can present itself as a ring/circle. While this symptom looks like ringworm, note that Lyme disease is caused by bacterial and needs antibiotics treatment.

  • Spider bites

    In some spider bites, the wound has a pale center with a red ring (like a bull eyes). The red ring can be mistaken for ringworm.

  • Contact dermatitis

    Eczema is a general term that refers to inflammatory skin conditions that causes itchy, dry skin rashes and scaly patch.

  • Psoriasis

    Psoriasis is a skin conditions that causes well-defined, thick, red, scaly patches. Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition. A trained dermatologist is able to tell the difference between psoriasis and ringworm.

  • Lupus

    Lupus is an autoimmune condition. Subacute cutaneous LE (SCLE) is a type of lupus that presents itself as a rash with red ring like pattern. This ring like pattern often gets mistaken as ringworm.

Ringworm treatment resources