How to Treat Tinea

Co-authored by Jessica Gibson | Medically reviewed by Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS

Last Updated: November 9, 2021 References

You've probably heard tinea called by one of its other names. This fungal infection, typically a non-yeast type, can affect your feet (athlete's foot), your groin (jock itch), or any part of your skin (ringworm).^{[1]
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American Academy of Family Physicians
Organization devoted to improving the health of patients, families, and communities
Go to source} Tinea can also appear as discolored patches known as tinea versicolor, which is a type of yeast infection.^{[2]
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American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source} Once you've identified what kind of tinea you have, apply over-the-counter antifungal medications. These creams, lotions, or sprays can treat your tinea within a few weeks. If they don't, talk with your doctor about prescription antifungal medications that you can apply or take orally.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Treating Athlete's Foot (Tinea Pedis) and Jock Itch (Tinea Cruris)

1
Look for blisters, rash, dry skin, and signs of athlete's foot. If your feet smell foul, are painful and red, or have blisters, you might have athlete's foot.^{[3]
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American Academy of Family Physicians
Organization devoted to improving the health of patients, families, and communities
Go to source} You should also check to see if the skin on your feet is peeling or if the skin between your toes is white or soggy.^{[4]
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American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source}
- You may develop a rash on your hands, known as tinea manuum, if you touch feet that are infected with athlete's foot.^{[5]
  X
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  American Academy of Family Physicians
  Organization devoted to improving the health of patients, families, and communities
  Go to source} Consider wearing gloves when examining your feet.
2
Examine your skin for irritation, swelling, or rash to diagnose jock itch. If you have jock itch, you'll first notice a red, swollen, itchy rash at the crease between your leg and groin.^{[6]
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American Academy of Family Physicians
Organization devoted to improving the health of patients, families, and communities
Go to source} The rash will slowly spread up to your groin and down to your inner thigh. It can also spread around your waist and bottom. Pay attention to:^{[7]
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American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
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- Scaly or cracked skin
- Bumpy skin with a raised border
- Itchy and painful skin, if it's infected.
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3
Wash and dry your skin before you apply antifungal medication. If you have athlete's foot or jock itch, remember to wash your hands after you've touched your infected skin. Spread an over-the-counter antifungal cream on the affected areas or spray an antifungal medication on them.^{[8]
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National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
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- Buy an antifungal medication that contains clotrimazole, terbinafine, or butenafine.
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions about how often to reapply the treatment throughout the day.
4
Get medical treatment, if necessary. Your tinea should improve within 2 weeks of starting OTC medication. If your athlete's foot or jock itch doesn't clear up, remains painful, or spreads, schedule an appointment with your doctor or dermatologist. They'll examine your skin and prescribe a stronger medication.^{[9]
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American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source}
5
Keep your skin dry to prevent tinea from returning. Moisture will make the fungus that causes tinea grow, so it's important to keep your skin dry.^{[10]
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American Academy of Family Physicians
Organization devoted to improving the health of patients, families, and communities
Go to source} If you had athlete's foot, wear breathable socks made of cotton and change your socks every day. If you had jock itch, change your underwear every day.^{[11]
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National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source} Consider sprinkling a talc-free powder on the skin to reduce moisture.^{[12]
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American Cancer Society
Nonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and support
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- Wear flip flops or sandals when you're in public showers or locker rooms to prevent athlete's foot from returning.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Curing Ringworm (Tinea Corporis)

1
Check your skin for scaly, round patches if you have ringworm. Because ringworm can develop anywhere on your body, look all over your body for round patches of scaly skin. If your skin is light, the patches might appear red or pink. If you have a dark skin tone, the patches will be brown or gray. Ringworm patches are often very itchy and can get bigger in size.^{[13]
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American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source}
- If ringworm isn't treated, it can spread to other parts of your body so you may want to monitor your skin for changes.
2
Apply over-the-counter antifungal medications. Buy OTC antifungal cream, lotion, or powder from a pharmacy, grocery store, or supermarket. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and use the product for 2 to 4 weeks. Look for an antifungal that contains one of these active ingredients:^{[14]
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
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- Clotrimazole
- Miconazole
- Terbinafine
- Ketoconazole
3
Get an exam if the ringworm doesn't improve or gets worse. If you use an OTC medication for 2 to 4 weeks and the patches of ringworm remain or spread, schedule an appointment with your doctor. The doctor will look at your skin and scrape off a few skin cells to look at under a microscope. The doctor can use the diagnosis of ringworm to prescribe stronger medication.^{[15]
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American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
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- If the ringworm covers a large area of your body, you might need prescription medication.
4
Use prescription antifungal medications. Your doctor will prescribe an oral antifungal medication such as fluconazole, itraconazole, or griseofulvin. You could also apply a prescription lotion, cream, gel, or spray. Follow your doctor's instructions regarding dosing. For example, if you're told to finish the course of treatment, continue to take the medication even if your symptoms have improved.^{[16]
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- The doctor might prescribe an antifungal and corticosteroid medication if you have severe or painful ringworm. Since you should only use corticosteroids in the short term, you'll likely only take the medication for less than 2 weeks.
5
Keep your skin clean and dry to prevent spreading ringworm. Wash your skin regularly with soap and water. Dry it thoroughly after you've finished washing and wear loose clothing so you don't trap moisture next to your skin.
- To prevent spreading ringworm to others, don't share clothes, towels, or other personal items.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Treating Tinea Versicolor

1
Pay attention to changes to your skin's color. If you notice spots appear on your body, monitor their appearance and color. The spots may be itchy and will slowly grow together to make larger patches. This tinea versicolor could disappear or fade in cooler temperatures and reappear in hot, humid weather.^{[17]
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American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source}
- The tinea versicolor spots may be white, pink, salmon, red, tan, or brown. The can show up on any part of your skin.
2
Spread over-the-counter antifungal medication on the tinea. Go to the pharmacy, drug store, or supermarket and buy OTC antifungal shampoo, cream, soap, or lotion. Use the antifungal product on your skin a few times a day or according to the manufacturer's instructions. Use the treatments for at least 2 to 4 weeks. Look for products that contain at least one of these active ingredients:^{[18]
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American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source}
- Selenium sulfide
- Ketoconazole
- Pyrithione zinc
3
Get a prescription for oral antifungal pills. If your skin doesn't improve 4 weeks of treatment or the tinea versicolor covers a large area, talk with your doctor or dermatologist about prescribing oral medication. Most oral antifungal pills should only be taken for a short period of time because of the risk for side effects.^{[19]
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- Side effects of oral antifungal pills include gas, diarrhea, abdominal pain, indigestion, and headaches.^{[20]
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  National Health Service (UK)
  Public healthcare system of the UK
  Go to source}
4
Wash 1 to 2 times a month with a medicated cleanser. If you live somewhere that's hot and humid, your tinea versicolor may come back. To prevent tinea versicolor from returning, wash your skin with a medicated cleanser. You can buy tinea versicolor cleansers to use or apply antifungal shampoo to your skin for 10 minutes before rinsing it off.^{[21]
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- Note that your skin may be discolored for weeks or months after treating tinea versicolor.
- Speak to your healthcare provider about continued use of medicated cleansers for prevention of tinea versicolor.