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How Contagious Is A Single Patch Of Ringworm? Is It

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Posted on Wed, 22 Jul 2020
Question: how contagious is a single patch of ringworm? is it contagious as long as the spot is visible? do I need to wash my sheets and stuff? also is it true theres an incubation period?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
regarding fungal infection

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to ask a doctor service. I have gone through your query and viewed the Image.

It is not very contagious. If you can maintain clean surroundings and wash your laundry daily along with antifungal cream. This helps to limit the fungal spores in the surroundings thereby reducing chances of spread.
Clinical cure does not necessarily correlate with microbiological cure, so you need to continue the topical antifungal cream for 2 more weeks after the spot clears.
Yes, there is a variable incubation period after infection ranging a few days till the lesion appears

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if you need any more assistance
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (11 hours later)
Thanks. That sounds good. In the event that someone else in my family does get it. Are they likely to get it worse or just have a single spot like I did or is that just generally unknown? Not a huge concern, just curious. Hopefully I didn't give it to anyone but I didn't treat it for probably 3-4 days since I just thought it was a bug bite at first. I did use hydrocortisone rather quickly and tried some other topical options. I thought it might need dried out so I even tried put on some hydrogen peroxide at one point which seemed to help clear off any dead skin at least.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (14 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Topical antifungal cream

Detailed Answer:
hi.
If the hygiene is good and surroundings are cleaned regularly along with regular laundry and no sharing of laundry then most likely no one would get it or would get it to a limited degree. Don't use anything else other than a topical antifungal cream e.g either ketoconazole 2% cream or miconazole nitrate 2% cream, twice daily. Hydrocortisone is a steroid and would rather encourage spread.
Take care.
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Kakkar

Dermatologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 9611 Questions

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How Contagious Is A Single Patch Of Ringworm? Is It

Brief Answer: regarding fungal infection Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome to ask a doctor service. I have gone through your query and viewed the Image. It is not very contagious. If you can maintain clean surroundings and wash your laundry daily along with antifungal cream. This helps to limit the fungal spores in the surroundings thereby reducing chances of spread. Clinical cure does not necessarily correlate with microbiological cure, so you need to continue the topical antifungal cream for 2 more weeks after the spot clears. Yes, there is a variable incubation period after infection ranging a few days till the lesion appears Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if you need any more assistance