Emerging Types of Ringworm

For Everyone

About

  • Emerging types of ringworm, a fungal infection, have been increasingly reported worldwide, including the United States.
  • These emerging types may be more severe and difficult to treat than typical ringworm.
  • Some types are becoming resistant to antifungal drugs used to treat infections.
  • A new type, Trichophyton mentagrophytes genotype VII (TMVII), has been linked to intimate or sexual contact, although other types can spread this way.
  • Protect against ringworm and use antifungal drugs as instructed.
World spinning with fungi around it

What is an emerging type of ringworm?

Ringworm is a common fungal infection that can affect the skin (anywhere on the body), hair, or nails. It is often mild and may get better with over-the-counter antifungal treatment.

Some emerging types of ringworm are different. They can cause infections that are more severe and difficult to treat. Some emerging types are resistant to antifungal drugs typically used to treat ringworm. More recently, some emerging types of ringworm have also been linked to intimate or sexual contact.

Types

Three emerging types of ringworm have been reported in the United States: Trichophyton indotineae (T. indotineae), Terbinafine-resistant Trichophyton rubrum (T. rubrum), and TMVII.

T. indotineae and terbinafine-resistant T. rubrum are concerning because they may not respond to typical antifungal drugs used to treat infections. Both emerging types of ringworm are more common in certain parts of the world, including parts of South Asia, so travel may increase the risk of exposure to drug-resistant ringworm.

TMVII is the type most commonly linked to intimate or sexual contact. TMVII infections are not usually resistant to antifungal drugs, but can be, and may take weeks or months to treat. In the United States, TMVII cases have been reported in people with both domestic and international travel history.

Signs and symptoms

Emerging ringworm may cause rashes on the face or body that are:

  • Spread across the body or cover large areas of skin
  • Red (or brown or gray on darker skin)
  • Painful or inflamed
  • Itchy
  • Scaly
  • Pus-filled

Rashes can look different from person to person. Some may cover more of the skin or be more painful or inflamed than typical ringworm.

illustration of red ring-shaped rash on a hand
Rashes can look different from person to person.

Ringworm infections associated with intimate or sexual contact may affect areas such as:

  • Genitals (penis or skin folds around the vaginal opening)
  • Buttocks
  • Groin
  • Face
  • Trunk, arms, or legs

When to seek medical care

Talk to a healthcare provider if your rash:

  • Is not improving, especially after using over-the-counter treatment.
  • Is spreading, painful, or pus-filled.
  • Is on the genitals, groin, buttocks, or face.
  • Keeps coming back.

While waiting for medical care or receiving treatment:

  • Avoid skin-to-skin contact, including intimate or sexual contact.
  • Avoid touching the affected area and wash your hands after contact.
  • Do not share bedding, towels, clothing, razors, or other personal care items.
  • Do not use steroid creams unless a healthcare provider tells you to use them.

Tell your healthcare provider if you have traveled recently, especially to places where drug-resistant ringworm has been reported more often, including India, Bangladesh, and other parts of South Asia.

If you are diagnosed with a ringworm infection that may have spread through sexual contact, consider telling your sexual partner(s) and getting tested for other sexually transmitted infections.

Some emerging ringworm infections may require prescription antifungal drugs taken by mouth for several weeks or months. It is important to follow your healthcare provider's instructions and complete treatment as directed.

How to prevent emerging ringworm

The same steps to prevent typical ringworm can help protect against emerging types of ringworm. To lower your risk of getting or spreading infection:

  • Keep skin clean and dry.
  • Change socks and underwear every day.
  • Wear sandals in public locker rooms, showers, and pool areas.
  • Avoid sharing towels, bedding, clothing, or other personal items.
  • Avoid skin-to-skin contact with anyone who has known or suspected ringworm.
  • Wash hands after touching a rash on yourself, another person, or an animal.
  • Seek care for any new or unexplained rashes on yourself or on a partner.
An illustration of clothes drying on a clothesline.
Change into clean socks and underwear daily to help prevent ringworm.
Print
Content Source:
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID)