Red Circular Rash: Ringworm Or Something Else? Get The Facts

Rashes with a circular border or a ring-like appearance are usually characteristic of and diagnostic of ringworm, a fungal skin infection (1). However, not every red circle on the skin might be ringworm. Most of the time, people may confuse any red and circular rash with ringworm. That is why you should be aware of the symptoms and causes. This article will provide more information on the other skin conditions that could give you a similar red circle on skin. Read on.

What Does The Red Circle On The Skin Mean?

Dr. Fayne Frey, MD, a dermatologist, says, “A red circle on the skin can be one of many things. Inflammatory conditions like atopic dermatitis or contact dermatitis may begin as a red circle. Certain infections like impetigo or fungal infection may begin as a red circle. Birthmarks, collagen vascular disease, bruising from trauma, and many other conditions can look like a red circle on the skin.”

A rash that is localized, with distinctive borders, is usually caused by certain external factors, while the rashes that seem red and inflamed that appear throughout the body are most often caused by internal conditions (2). Rashes like contact dermatitis and ringworm occur in response to external irritants (in skincare products, soaps, or detergents), allergens (in plants, food, and air), or organisms (fungus on our skin or pets). On the other hand, rashes stemming from internal abnormalities are usually due to genetics or when our immune system is overactivated by certain triggers.

When you get a red circular rash on your skin, you must first make sure whether it’s Ringworm or not. For that, you need to be aware of the characteristic features, types, and symptoms of Ringworm.

What Is Ringworm? Types And Symptoms

Ringworm, otherwise known as “tinea corporis” or “dermatophytosis” is a common fungal skin infection. It is caused by a class of fungi called dermatophytes that feed on the dead cells of the skin, hair, and nails and tend to thrive in the warm, moist folds of the skin (3). Ringworm infection causes a characteristic itchy red circular rash. The circular itchy rash can have a red-colored center or a normal one of your skin color. Ringworm is further classified as per its location on the body.

• Tinea capitis

Ringworm of the scalp is known as Tinea capitis. It is usually seen in children in their growing years or around adolescence. It usually appears as scaly patches of balding spots on the scalp with a loss of hair. This ringworm might commonly spread from one child to another in their school (4).

• Tinea pedis

Commonly known as ‘Athlete’s foot’, Tinea pedis is the ringworm infection of the foot that causes scaling and inflammation in between the toes, especially the last two. It usually causes redness, itching, and burning sensation on the sole of the feet as well (5).

• Tinea manum

This affects the skin of the hand, especially in between the fingers. It usually leads to thickening of the skin in between the fingers (6). Tinea manuum is usually accompanied by Tinea pedis.

• Tinea unguium

Ringworm of the nails is also a common occurrence. It causes the fingernails to look thick, white, opaque, and brittle, while the toenails appear yellow, thick, and brittle (7).

• Tinea barbae

This fungal infection of the beard on the face and neck results in swelling and marked crustings, often resulting in hair breakage (8).  It was also commonly known as barber’s itch in earlier days when people used to visit the barber for haircuts and shave.

• Tinea faciei

Ringworm on the face, other than the beard, is known as Tinea faciei. It usually occurs as red scaly patches without a defined ring, and that might cause difficulty in its diagnosis (9).

• Tinea cruris

Commonly known as ‘Jock’s itch’, the tinea in the folds of the groin area usually appears as reddish-brown patches and might extend further down to the inner thighs (10). It is usually caused due to sweating or wearing tight clothes and can easily be confused with other yeast infections or psoriasis.

Ringworm is contagious and is often spread through contact. Household items, shared linen, or even pets and animals can transfer this fungal infection from one person to another.

If It’s Not Ringworm, Then What Else Could It Be?

Quick Tip

Check your pets for ringworm symptoms like circular hair loss patches, inflamed scabby skin, brittle claws, and hair. Take them to a vet to avoid spreading it to others.

 A ring-like circular rash similar to ringworm, in certain cases, might get diagnosed as some other skin condition. Since these would require a different line of treatment, it is vital to get the correct diagnosis done in consultation with your medical practitioner (2).

A few of the skin conditions that commonly mimic ringworm are as follows:

• Pityriasis rosea

Pityriasis rosea is a common and benign rash that appears red, scaly, and itchy. It typically starts as one single large spot known as the ‘herald patch’ on the back, chest, or abdomen, and is then commonly followed by more small patches or bumps in a pattern that resembles a pine tree (11, 12). It is, in the absence of this big red circle on skin, when the diagnosis might get difficult. It usually resembles ringworm and you might feel unwell for a day or two before it shows up. Human Herpes Virus (HHV-7 and HHV-6) have been implicated as the causative agent in most cases but the cause remains largely unclear (13).

Trivia

Pityriasis rosea is more common between 10-35. It is not officially labeled as contagious but has a history of causing epidemics in small communities.

• Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is a kind of eczema and/or allergy that is usually a reaction to when the skin comes in contact with certain irritants in soaps and cosmetics, detergents, or materials like metals or latex (14). It can also refer to the more common ‘diaper rash’ or the skin peeling and cracking due to excessive handwash. Since Contact dermatitis causes patches of thickened scaly skin, it tends to get confused with ringworm easily.

• Nummular Eczema

Nummular eczema is another skin condition that is commonly mistaken as ringworm. ‘Nummular’ means ‘coin’ in Latin and this rash is known to appear as coin-shaped patches of dry and scaly skin with variable levels of irritation, itching, and burning sensation. Bug bites, medications, and contact with metals such as nickel are known to be common triggers. It is usually aggravated by soaps, cosmetics, and abrasive fabric like wool (15).

• Granuloma Annulare

Another common ringworm-like skin condition that appears as raised, flesh-colored rings is Granuloma annulare. It may show up on any part of the body and are most often these bumps are localized in one area. The patches may look red to start with but that disappears once the ring forms. The rings could be ¼ of an inch- 2 inches in diameter. There is usually no itching or scaling. While the exact cause has not been established yet, in certain cases, it is associated with diabetes, thyroid, and trauma (16).

According to a study, women are more likely to be affected by Granuloma Annulare than men. The estimated prevalence and incidence of the condition are reported to be 0.1% to 0.4%. While more than two-thirds of patients dealing with this condition are 30 or less than 30, it can affect a person at any age.

• Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an auto-immune condition in which the immune system attacks its skin cells, leading to hyperproduction and inflammation. New skin cells get overproduced before the old ones can be shed off resulting in thick, scaly inflamed skin patches. These might itch or get sore with bleeding when scratched. This chronic condition is usually triggered by stress, medications, infections, environmental factors, or injury (17). Since Psoriasis resembles a few other skin conditions, and a blood test can’t establish the same, a skin biopsy might be prescribed for a confirmed diagnosis.

• Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is caused due to tick bites and is usually manifested early on as a round red rash (shaped like a bull’s eye) called erythema migrans. This is a classic symptom found in over 70% of the cases and treatment is usually started just based on the same (18). Typically, it occurs as one lesion but in some cases, people might also have multiple lesions. The rash usually appears after 7-14 days but can show up as early as 3 days or as later as 32 days. The rash tends to expand in size without proper treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment help prevent the chronic effects that are usually seen later on in the disease.

Did You Know?

Lyme disease is treated through 2-4 week oral antibiotic prescriptions. However, it may take months to recover from symptoms due to Post Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS).

When To See A Doctor?

Rashes on the skin tend to resolve on their own in little time. But it is important to get a professional opinion when they take more time to resolve or you notice any unusual changes. Even though a red circular rash is characteristic of Ringworm, occasionally, it could be something more serious. It is always better to get a rash examined by a doctor, to be able to follow the correct line of treatment.

Treatment For Red Circles On Skin

When you get a red circular rash on your skin, it is important to establish whether it is Ringworm or any of the other skin conditions mentioned above. This can only be done through proper diagnosis by your Dermatologist. Based on the diagnosis, the line of treatment would then vary accordingly.

Ringworm or most Tinea infections are superficial fungal infections that can usually be treated with topical antifungal creams, lotions, or powders in about 2-4 weeks. Non-prescription OTC products like Clotrimazole, Miconazole, Terbinafine, Ketoconazole can be helpful in treating Ringworm by following the dosage instructions on the package. You would need to get in touch with your dermatologist if the infection seems to be getting worse. (19) Oral antifungals might then be prescribed to resolve the infection better.

In rashes like contact dermatitis, eczema, and Lyme disease that are caused by external factors (chemical irritants, allergens, or micro-organisms), it is helpful if one can identify and remove the triggers from the surroundings. These are usually treated with alcohol-free moisturizers, warm baths, topical corticosteroidsⁱ  Anti-inflammatory drugs that aid in the suppression of an overactive immune system and treating skin infections and allergic reactions. , antihistaminesⁱ  Medications used to treat allergies, skin reactions, and insect bite irritation, and sometimes used in the treatment of conjunctivitis. , and antibiotics. Pityriasis Rosea is usually treated with topical steroids or antihistamines, to reduce the itchiness and discomfort in general (20)

Any rash that’s caused due to internal causes would require a more intensive treatment rather than just topical creams and lotions. For instance, Psoriasisⁱ  An autoimmune skin condition that typically affects the scalp, elbows, and knees and causes red, scaly, and patchy skin. can sometimes resolve on its own but most often, is managed with topical steroids, Immunosuppressants, and UV light therapy (21). In the case of Granuloma annulare, the rings often disappear on their own in a few months and may not require any treatment. But sometimes, these lesionsⁱ  When a specific area of the skin is injured or damaged, causing the tissue to deteriorate and become abnormal. might get widespread and require medical consultation for a more intensive line of treatment.

In all the above, the doctor can also help diagnose if the rash involves any other kind of infection or potential complications and might prescribe antibiotics or other lines of treatment as deemed suitable. In case of less severe conditions, you may try the natural remedies mentioned below to treat red circles or for temporary relief.

Home Remedies For Red Circles On The Skin

• Cold Compress: Apply a cold cloth or ice pack to the affected area to soothe it and minimize inflammation.
• Aloe Vera Gel: Apply fresh aloe vera gel to the affected area. Its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties can reduce redness and irritation (22).

Tracie Dang, a vlogger, shared about using fresh aloe vera to reduce her red rashes in her video. She said, “My skin has cleared up so much. Especially my arms. It has cleared up all over (i)”

• Cucumber Slices: Place cucumber slices on the affected area to reduce redness and puffiness (23).
• Tea Tree Oil: Apply diluted tea tree oil to the affected area. The oil has antiseptic properties that can combat infections and reduce redness (24).
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Applying diluted apple cider vinegar to the affected area can help. The vinegar may help ease inflammation (25).

Always perform a patch test before applying any remedy. Although home remedies may provide some relief, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional if the red circles persist or worsen. This is because specific treatments may not be effective for all skin types or conditions.

Infographic: Skin Conditions That Might Cause Circular Rashes

If the red patches on your skin do not go away by themselves in a day or two, they might be hinting at an underlying condition. A ringworm is fairly simple to recognize, but there are also other conditions that manifest in the same way and their diagnoses, treatment, and effects may vary. Identifying the type of condition is the first step towards appropriate treatment. Find below an infographic with a summary of all skin conditions that appear as red circular patches.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

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Reviewer Expert Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. CP ThajudheenMD

   

Dr. CP Thajudheen has over 20 years of experience in various lasers, light-based devices, and other advanced equipment. He was one of the beginners who introduced cutaneous lasers in India. He carries out dermato surgeries regularly, including hair grafting and vitiligo surgeries.

Read full bio of Dr. CP Thajudheen

• 
  Dr. Fayne FreyMD Dr. Fayne Frey is a board-certified dermatologist with 13 years of experience. She is a graduate of Boston University and the Weill Cornell Medical College. She is also a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.
  
  Dr. Fayne Frey is a board-certified dermatologist with 13 years of experience. She is a graduate of Boston University and the Weill Cornell Medical College. She is also a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

Eshna DasAssociate Editor

 

Eshna is an associate editor and a certified skin care coach. She has over three years of experience, a triple main bachelor’s degree in psychology, English, and journalism from Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru, and a master’s degree in psychology from Sampurna Montfort College, Bengaluru.

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Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor

Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy.

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Swathi ESenior Beauty & Lifestyle Writer

Swathi has a postgraduate degree in English literature from The English And Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and over three years of experience in writing on beauty, health, and lifestyle. She also has a diploma in English journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Kottayam, and is a certified skincare coach.

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