Despite its name, ringworm has nothing to do with worms. Tinea corporis — the medical term for ringworm of the body — is a superficial fungal infection of the skin caused by dermatophyte fungi, most commonly Trichophyton rubrum and Microsporum canis. It produces the characteristic ring-shaped, red, scaly patch that gives the condition its common name.

Ringworm is one of the most frequently presented skin conditions in UK community pharmacies, and effective treatment is available over the counter.

How ringworm spreads

Ringworm is contagious and can be transmitted through:

• Direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person
• Contact with infected animals (cats, dogs, guinea pigs and cattle are common carriers)
• Contaminated objects such as towels, bedding, combs and gym equipment
• Soil contact (rare)

Children are particularly susceptible, and school and nursery outbreaks are common. The incubation period is typically one to three weeks.

Over-the-counter treatment options

UK pharmacies stock several effective topical antifungals for treating ringworm:

Clotrimazole 1% cream (Canesten, generics)

Clotrimazole is the most widely available and affordable option. It should be applied thinly to the affected area and surrounding skin two to three times daily for at least four weeks — or for two weeks after symptoms have cleared, whichever is longer. This extended treatment period is important: stopping too early is the most common cause of recurrence.

Terbinafine 1% cream (Lamisil, generics)

Terbinafine is fungicidal rather than fungistatic, meaning it kills the fungus rather than simply inhibiting its growth. This translates to a shorter treatment course — typically one to two weeks — and higher cure rates in clinical trials. However, it is slightly more expensive than clotrimazole and is not licensed for children under 16 years of age via the OTC route (though it can be prescribed for younger children by a GP).

Miconazole 2% cream (Daktarin)

Miconazole is an alternative azole antifungal with similar efficacy to clotrimazole. Apply twice daily for at least four weeks. It has the advantage of additional antibacterial activity, which can be useful when secondary bacterial infection is suspected.

Counselling points for parents

Ringworm in children is extremely common and usually straightforward to treat. Key advice includes:

• Continue treatment for the full course. The rash may look better within a few days, but the fungus is still present. Stopping early leads to relapse.
• The child does not need to stay off school once treatment has started, according to UK Health Security Agency guidance. However, affected areas should be covered where practical (e.g. long sleeves over an arm lesion during PE).
• Check for animal sources. If the family has pets — particularly cats, dogs or guinea pigs — a vet check is advisable. M. canis from cats is a common source of childhood ringworm, and the animal may be an asymptomatic carrier.
• Wash towels and bedding at 60°C and avoid sharing personal items until treatment is complete.

When to refer

Pharmacists should refer to a GP when:

• The scalp is affected (tinea capitis) — this requires oral antifungal treatment, typically griseofulvin or terbinafine tablets, as topical agents do not penetrate the hair follicle adequately
• The infection covers a large area or involves multiple sites
• The patient is immunocompromised
• The rash has not responded to two weeks of topical terbinafine or four weeks of an azole antifungal
• There is significant inflammation, blistering or secondary infection
• The patient is a child under two years of age — GP assessment is prudent even though topical azoles are generally safe at this age

Preventing recurrence

Once treated, patients should be advised to:

• Keep skin clean and dry — fungi thrive in warm, moist environments
• Avoid sharing towels, clothing and grooming equipment
• Wear flip-flops in communal changing areas and swimming pools (to prevent tinea pedis, a related fungal infection)
• Treat infected pets

According to PharmSee's register, there are more than 13,000 community pharmacies across England where patients can access these treatments and professional advice without an appointment.

For help finding a pharmacy near you, use PharmSee's pharmacy search tool. If you are a pharmacist looking for roles in clinical consultation services, explore current pharmacy vacancies.

Sources: NICE Clinical Knowledge Summary — Fungal Skin Infection (Body and Groin); British National Formulary; UKHSA Guidance on Infection Control in Schools; PharmSee pharmacy register data (April 2026).