Ringworm VS Eczema: What Are the Differences?

Tinea corporis, more commonly known as ringworm, isn’t a condition parents look forward to facing with their children. Even the mildest cases can take weeks to treat – or even months if the infection is severe – and it can spread rapidly to other family members if it goes untreated.

As if the idea of facing ringworm wasn’t enough, you also have to worry about determining whether you’re dealing with a case of tinea corporis or nummular eczema. Both conditions can be bothersome and overwhelming at the forefront but are thankfully manageable and treatable with time.

In this article, we will take a closer look at ringworm vs eczema, so you can identify them and provide your loved one with proper treatment. 

Understanding the Conditions

What is Eczema?

Eczema is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that leads to red, dry, itchy rashes appearing on the skin, which is why it is also known as dermatitis. The term eczema itself is very vast and contains different types of eczema.

Some of the most common types are atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and contact dermatitis. A little less common type of eczema is nummular eczema. That causes round-shaped rashes on the skin that look similar to the ringworm rash.

As opposed to a typical case of eczema, that occurs in typical areas of the body at typical ages, nummular eczema can appear in just one or several areas of the body.

What is Ringworm?

Ringworm is more common in children than it is in adults, however anyone can experience it. It also causes coin-shaped rashes to appear on the skin. Ringworm has different types:

• Athletes foot (tinea pedis)
• Jock itch (tinea cruris)
• Scalp ringworm (tinea capitis)
• Ringworm on hands (tinea manuum)

The most common type is tinea corporis which can appear over the body and is commonly known as just ringworm. 

Ringworm Vs Eczema Pictures

These images of ringworm and nummular eczema will help you identify the difference between both conditions. 

Causes of Eczema Vs Ringworm

Both conditions may look similar in appearance but are totally different from each other due to their different causes. 

What Causes Nummular Eczema?

Just like other common types of eczema, nummular eczema or discoid eczema is also believed to be caused by a combination of factors such as genetics, impaired skin barrier, and weak immune system. There is no exact cause for it. 

In addition to those factors, there are various triggers that cause an eczema flare-up, like:

• Dry skin
• Metals
• Chemicals in skin care products.
• Fragrances
• Dry air
• Extreme weather conditions
• Certain fabric material
• Hot water

The triggers may vary for every individual and may affect the skin a little differently. 

What Causes Ringworm?

In contrast to nummular eczema which has no definite cause, ringworm has an exact cause which is the fungal infection. People often think that this condition is caused by worms due to its name but the truth is there are no worms involved in it. 

It is caused by a fungus that is naturally present on our skin, nails, and hair. Common fungi that lead to this condition are microsporum, epidermophyton, and trichophyton. When there is an overproduction of fungus on the skin it can cause infection. 

Anyone can experience this condition however there are certain triggers that can increase the risk of developing the condition:

• Warm damp environment
• Sweating
• Animal contact
• Heavy activities and sports. 
• Public showers and lockers

Are the Symptoms of Nummular Eczema Vs Ringworm the Same?

One of the main reasons parents tend to get ringworm confused with eczema is the appearance of a round coin-shaped rash on skin. Some symptoms of these conditions are quite similar while others are different. 

Nummular Eczema Symptoms

Some common symptoms of nummular eczema are:

• Redness
• Tiny bumps and blisters
• Dry skin
• Itching
• Burning sensation
• Raised rashes
• Foul-smelling discharge (in severe cases)

These symptoms can appear anywhere on the body, sometimes they appear on just one area while other times all over the body. 

What Does Ringworm Look Like?

Ringworm mostly appears as circular itchy rashes, but some common symptoms that you may notice on the skin are:

• Itchy skin
• Scaly skin
• Cracked dry skin
• Skin patches that are lighter in the middle 
• Redness 

This table will help you understand the difference between the symptoms of both conditions.

 

	Eczema	Ringworm
Appearance	Flaky skin with raised rashes that are in a round shape	Ring-shaped rash that is lighter in the middle and red, pink, or brown on the outline.
Feeling	Dry,  rough, itchy, and sometimes even painful.	Intense itching and burning sensation.
Areas affected	It usually appears on the skin folds, neck, hands, knees, wrists, and inside and outside of elbows.	Can appear anywhere on the body including the scalp.
Other symptoms	May cause pus-filled blisters and discharge from the rash.	Can lead to swelling and cause hair loss when it appears on the scalp.

Psoriasis Vs Eczema Vs Ringworm

Nummular eczema is also known as discoid dermatitis. In comparing discoid eczema vs ringworm, it’s also important to touch on psoriasis. Here are the main symptoms to look out for in all three conditions:

Symptoms of ringworm: Ring-shaped rashes, itchy skin, red and cracked scales

Symptoms of psoriasis: Patchy rashes that range in shades of purple, small scaling spots, cracked skin, and discomforts like soreness, itching, and burning. Oftentimes times has a white scale.

Symptoms of eczema: Dry, cracked skin with small raised bumps that may ooze upon scratching

All these conditions may look similar yet they are different from each other and need different treatments. So if you are unsure about which one you or your loved one is experiencing then it’s best to consult a dermatologist rather than providing the wrong treatment and making the condition worse. 

Are Ringworm and Eczema Contagious?

If you are experiencing eczema then you don’t have to worry about giving it to others because eczema is not contagious and can not spread from one person to another. However, unfortunately, this is not the case with ringworm.

Ringworm is contagious and can easily spread from one person to another. This is the reason it is more common in school-age children. They often transfer it to one another in the gym and locker rooms. 

If you or anyone in your house is experiencing ringworm then provide them with proper treatment as soon as possible before others get infected from it as well. 

Ringworm Vs Eczema Treatment

People often think that eczema in children is ringworm. They put ringworm treatment on it for months, and then come in and are confused as to why it’s not getting any better,” Dr. Eddie Valenzuela shared. “That’s because it’s actually eczema, not ringworm. It can be very hard to understand the difference on the surface.”

So if you are unsure about which condition your child is experiencing consult a pediatrician because the treatment for both the conditions is different. 

Eczema Treatment

There is no permanent cure for eczema due to its chronic nature. Which means it can flare up from time to time. However, there are certain things that you can do to soothe the symptoms and prevent future eczema flare-ups.

Here are a few things you can do:

• Cleanse your skin at least once daily with an eczema shampoo and body wash. Once in the morning and once before going to bed.
• Moisturize your skin twice or as required with the help of a soothing eczema cream or lotion. 
• Skip the long hot baths and limit your shower time to 5 to 10 minutes. 
• Use lukewarm or cool water to take a bath or wash your skin instead of hot water.
• Avoid the common triggers that may worsen the condition such as skin products with harsh chemicals and fragrances.
• Use a humidifier to keep the air moist inside your house and office.
• If the itching gets severe at night then consult a doctor and consider wet wrap therapy to soothe it.
• Use only those creams, lotions, shampoos, and soaps that are labeled as hypoallergenic and safe to be used on sensitive skin. 
• Use a fragrance-free mild detergent to wash your clothes to avoid any irritation. 

If following a proper eczema skincare routine and making these lifestyle changes does not help in getting your eczema better then consult a dermatologist they may prescribe the use of certain medications like cortisone creams, antihistamines, antibiotics, calcineurin inhibitors, injectable corticosteroids, and sometimes phototherapy.

How to Get Rid of Ringworm?

To prevent ringworm from spreading to others it is important that you take the right treatment as soon as possible. Consult a doctor they may prescribe certain OTC anti-fungal medication. 

Anti-fungal creams and lotions can be applied topically on the skin to treat the fungus and get to the root cause of the condition. In some instances, especially in the case of scalp ringworm the doctor will prescribe oral antifungal pills or oral solution (for our non-pill swallowing youngsters)–as it is difficult to apply cream on the scalp and oral meds are necessary to get to the fungus which is located inside of the hair shaft. Some common medications prescribed are:

• Terbinafine
• Griseofulvin
• Fluconazole
• Clotrimazole
• Miconazole

These medications should only be used as prescribed by the doctor. Using them for a long period of time can lead to other complications. Along with these medications, the doctor may ask you to make a few lifestyle changes as well such as:

• Keeping your skin clean by taking a bath every day.
• Changing your clothes daily.
• Avoid sharing your clothes, skincare products, or combs and brushes..
• Wash your clothes, towels, and sheets regularly. 

By following the treatment plan provided by the doctor you can easily get rid of ringworm. 

Soothing Eczema With Happy Cappy

Dr. Eddie has created a line of products that are specially formulated to soothe the itching, irritation, and redness associated with eczema. Happy Cappy Two-Step Eczema Skincare Routine includes a Daily Eczema Shampoo that can be used as a body wash and face wash as well. 

It is a low pH, non-soap cleanser that not only cleanses the skin but also soothes irritated skin. This bundle also contains a Moisturizing Cream for Eczema that helps keep your skin hydrated all day long. The cream is non-greasy and fast absorbing making it easy to use. 

It is infused with natural ingredients like licorice root extracts that soothe redness, glycerin, and snow white petrolatum to nourish your skin.

These products are dermatologist-tested, vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, and free from any skin-irritating chemicals such as fragrances, parabens, sulfates, and phthalates. Shop our soothing eczema products today to have smooth, itch-free, hydrated skin. 

Key Takeaways

• Ringworm is a contagious infection caused by a fungus that causes red, itchy rashes in the shape of a coin.
• Nummular eczema is the type of eczema that also causes itchy, raised round rashes but it is not contagious.
• People often confuse both conditions due to their similar shape and appearance, but both are different. 
• An eczema flare-up can be easily managed by following a proper skincare routine that includes the use of an eczema cleanser and moisturizing eczema cream. 
• Ringworm needs immediate medical treatment from a doctor as it can spread from person to person. And is usually treated with antifungal creams and oral medicines. 

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