Fungal Skin Infection Treatment: Ringworm, Jock Itch and Athlete's Foot

Status: Pending Qualified Medical Review. This article has not yet been reviewed by a qualified medical professional.

An itchy, round, red or dark patch on the thigh, waist or groin. It spreads slowly, you scratch it, and it comes back after every cream you try. In Bangladesh, many people call it "daad". Doctors usually call it ringworm or tinea — a fungal skin infection.

Hot, humid weather, sweat, tight clothes and shared towels make fungal infections very common here. They are usually not serious and are treatable, but they often come back when treatment is stopped too early or the wrong cream is used. This guide explains how to treat them properly.

What Is Ringworm?

The NHS says ringworm is a common fungal infection — it is not caused by worms.

Symptoms

• A rash that may look red or darker than the surrounding skin, depending on skin tone
• The rash may be scaly, dry, swollen or itchy
• It is usually ring-shaped, but can look different on the face, neck or scalp
• The rash may grow, spread, or there may be more than one patch
• On the scalp or face, it can cause patchy hair loss

On brown skin, the colour may be less obvious, and the patch can look darker or greyish rather than red.

Where it appears

The NHS notes ringworm can appear anywhere on the body, including:

• The scalp (tinea capitis)
• The groin (jock itch)

Other common fungal skin problems include:

• Athlete's foot — the NHS describes itchy white patches between the toes, and sore, flaky patches on the feet
• Fungal nail infection

How Fungal Infections Spread

The NHS says ringworm can be passed on through close contact with:

• An infected person or animal
• Infected objects, such as bedsheets, combs or towels
• Infected soil (less common)

Why it is so common in Bangladesh

Fungi grow well in warm, moist skin. Things that make infection more likely include:

• Sweating in hot, humid months
• Wearing tight, synthetic or damp clothes for long hours
• Sharing towels, gamchha, lungi, combs or beds with family members
• Not drying skin folds after bathing
• Wearing closed shoes for long periods without drying feet

Example

Rakib, 24, works at a garment factory. He has an itchy, spreading patch on his inner thigh. His brother has a similar rash, and they share a towel. Rakib used a cream from a pharmacy for 5 days; the itch eased, so he stopped. Two weeks later the rash was back and larger. Fungal infections often return when treatment stops too soon.

Fungal Skin Infection Treatment

Antifungal medicines

The NHS says a pharmacist can recommend an antifungal medicine. Depending on where the rash is, this might be a cream, gel, spray or tablets.

Key advice from the NHS:

• You may need to use an antifungal every day for up to 4 weeks
• It is important to use it for the full time, even if the rash has gone away

How to apply cream correctly

• Wash and dry the area well first
• Apply a thin layer to the rash and a little beyond its edge
• Wash your hands afterwards
• Use it as often as the leaflet or doctor says
• Keep going for the full course

A common mistake: steroid "mix" creams

In Bangladesh, people often use creams that combine a steroid with other ingredients, sometimes bought without a prescription. Steroids can reduce redness and itch at first, so the rash seems better, but they are not a treatment for fungal infection. Using them on a fungal rash may make it harder to treat and can harm the skin over time.

Ask a doctor before using any steroid-containing cream on a rash. Tell the doctor about every cream you have already tried — bring the tubes or take photos.

When to See a Doctor

The NHS advises seeing a doctor if:

• Ringworm has not improved after using an antifungal from a pharmacy
• You have ringworm on your scalp — you'll usually need prescription antifungal tablets and shampoo
• You have a weakened immune system, for example from chemotherapy, steroids or diabetes

Also see a doctor if:

• The rash is very widespread or on the face
• It keeps coming back
• The skin becomes painful, hot, swollen or oozes pus — signs of a possible bacterial infection
• You are pregnant or breastfeeding and need medicine
• The rash is on a young child or baby
• You're not sure it is fungal — eczema, psoriasis and other rashes can look similar

How to Stop Fungal Infections Spreading and Coming Back

The NHS recommends:

Do

• Start treatment as soon as possible
• Wash towels and bedsheets regularly
• Keep your skin clean and wash your hands after touching animals or soil
• Check your skin if you've been in contact with an infected person or animal
• Take your pet to the vet if it has patches of missing fur

Don't

• Do not share towels, combs or bedsheets with someone who has ringworm
• Do not scratch the rash — this can spread it to other parts of your body

Extra practical tips for hot, humid weather

• Dry skin folds — groin, under the breasts, between toes — carefully after bathing
• Wear loose cotton clothes and cotton underwear
• Change out of sweaty clothes as soon as you can
• Let shoes air out and wear sandals when possible
• If several family members have it, everyone should be treated at the same time

Children and school

The NHS says it's fine for a child to go to school once treatment has started. Let teachers know.

Related reading: If several family members itch at night, read about scabies treatment. Fungal infections that keep returning can be linked to diabetes — see the early signs of diabetes. Before a consultation, see how to prepare for an online doctor visit, or read our complete guide to consulting a doctor online in Bangladesh.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does ringworm take to go away?

With correct treatment, many patches improve within a few weeks. The NHS says treatment may be needed daily for up to 4 weeks — keep going even if the rash fades.

Is ringworm contagious?

Yes. It spreads through contact with infected people, animals or objects like towels and combs.

Can I use steroid cream on ringworm?

Do not use steroid creams on a suspected fungal rash without a doctor's advice. They are not an antifungal treatment.

Why does my fungal infection keep coming back?

Common reasons include stopping treatment too early, using the wrong cream, sharing towels, and staying sweaty or damp. Untreated family members can also pass it back.

Does ringworm need tablets?

Many skin patches improve with creams. Scalp ringworm usually needs prescription tablets and shampoo (NHS). A doctor may also prescribe tablets for widespread infection.

Can diabetes make fungal infections worse?

Yes. The NHS lists diabetes among conditions that weaken immunity, and advises seeing a doctor in that case.

Get Your Skin Rash Checked on ShifaMate

Skin problems are well suited to photos. If you have a rash that isn't improving, you can consult a verified doctor through ShifaMate. Send clear daylight photos — one close-up and one from further away — plus a list or photos of creams you've used. The doctor can advise on treatment and issue a digital prescription when clinically appropriate. You can also browse ShifaMate doctors.

For a rapidly spreading, painful, hot rash with fever, seek in-person care urgently.

References

• NHS. Ringworm
• NHS. Athlete's foot

This article is for general information and does not replace advice from a qualified doctor.