For ringworm in most places on the body, self care is often enough to take care of the problem. This includes keeping your skin clean and dry, which makes it more difficult for fungi to grow. You can apply over-the-counter antifungal creams or drying powders such as those containing miconazole, clotrimazole, terbinafine, butenafine, and tolnaftate. These are often effective in helping clear up a fungal infection. You should also wash your sheets and towels every day while infected to avoid re-exposure.

If your infection is especially severe or does not respond to self care, a doctor may prescribe antifungal skin medications that are stronger than over-the-counter products. Examples include topical prescription-strength miconazole (Monistat-Derm) and econazole (Spectazole) and orally administered anti-fungals like itraconazole (Sporanox), fluconazole (Diflucan), terbinafine (Lamisil), and ketoconazole (Nizoral). If a bacterial infection is also present, antibiotics may be needed but these are not effective against the fungi that cause ringworm.