Suggest Treatment For Spreading Ringworm Infection

Posted on Mon, 12 Dec 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 12 Dec 2016 Answered on

Mon, 2 Jan 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi. I'd like to find out more about so called " fungal(sp?) infections on the skin. I've had ringworm outbreaks in the past but the one have I'm having now seems to be resistant to the ketoconazole 2% that my primary care provider prescribed for it. It seems to be spreading and I wonder what my the next step might be. I know this is difficult to diagnose without having seen the infected area but I was just wondering what else I could use.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (20 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
can switch to another topical or combine with an oral

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

Fungal infections can be difficult to treat in some instances, they respond slowly to medication.

If there is no response with the ketoconazole and it has been used consistently for at least 2 weeks, then you can consider : (1) changing this topical agent to see if another would work better for you eg lamisil cream or canesten

Sometimes the response can vary if the medication is changed

(2)use an oral anti fungal eg lamisil

The oral agent can even be combined with a topical medication.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar