Ringworm is a fungal skin condition that can usually be found and diagnosed by looking for rashes with a circular edge or that look like rings. On the other hand, a red circle on the skin is not always caused by ringworm. People often think that any rash that is red and round is caused by ringworm. For this, it's crucial to know both the symptoms and the things that cause them. This article will give you more information about the many skin conditions that could cause a red circle to appear on your skin. So keep on reading.
Topics included in this post:
- What Does It Mean When There Is a Red Circle On My Skin?
- Ringworm: What Is It, Its Different forms, and Symptoms?
- What Else Could It Be If It's Not Ringworm?
- When to Seek Medical Attention?
- How to Treat Red Circles on Skin
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Does It Mean When There Is a Red Circle On My Skin?
In most cases, anything occurring within the body is the source of a red, itchy, and widespread rash outbreak. On the other hand, rashes that are contained and have clear edges are often caused by something outside the body. Contact dermatitis and ringworm can be caused by irritants in cosmetics, soaps, and detergents, as well as allergens in plants, food, and the air (fungus on our skin or pets). A rash caused by internal disorders is typically hereditary or triggered by an immune system response. If our skin comes into contact with allergens, it could react this way.
If you have a red, circular rash on your skin, the first thing you should do is figure out if it's ringworm or not. If it is, you will have to treat it properly. To do this, you must know the ringworm's appearance, forms, and symptoms.
Ringworm: What Is It, Its Different Forms, and Symptoms?
Fungus-caused skin infections may look like a ring around the affected area called "ringworm." This condition has many names, such as "tinea corporis" and "dermatophytosis." It's caused by dermatophytes, a fungus that grows in warm, damp places on the skin and eats dead skin cells, hair cells, and nail cells. Dermatophytes are the ones to blame for the condition. It happens more often in places where there is a lot of sunlight. When you have ringworm, you get a rash shaped like a ring. This rash will be red and uncomfortable. The rash might look red in the middle or the same color as the rest of your skin. Another factor in determining a ringworm's severity is the area of the body it has infected.
Tinea capitis
The correct medical term for ringworm on the scalp is "tinea capitis." It happens more often during a child's formative years or before puberty. Most of the time, it shows up on the scalp as scaly spots where hair is falling out or where hair is getting thinner. When kids are at school, there is a high chance that this ringworm will spread from one child to the next.
Tinea pedis
Tinea pedis, also called "athlete's foot," is a foot infection caused by ringworm that causes scaling and redness between the toes, especially between the last two toes. A lot of athletes suffer from this problem. Most of the time, it also makes the bottoms of the feet red, itchy, and feel like they are on fire.
Tinea manum
This affects the hand's skin, especially between the fingers. Palms of hands and gaps between fingers thicken as a result. People often have both tinea manuum and tinea pedis at the same time.
Tinea unguium
The condition called "ringworm of the nails" is pretty common and can also spread to the skin. It will make your fingernails look thick, cloudy, white, and brittle. It will also make your toenails look thick, yellow, and brittle.
Tinea barbae
This fungal infection of the beard on the face and neck causes swelling, crusting, and hair loss. It could also get worse and spread to other parts of the body. The face and neck are two places where this condition shows up. This disease used to be called "barber's itch" because it was common when men went to barbershops to get their hair cut and shaved.
Tinea faciei
Tinea faciei, another name for the face's ringworm, can be diagnosed by a doctor but does not affect the beard. Since the condition usually appears red, scaly patches instead of a clear ring, it may be hard to know what's wrong.
Tinea cruris
Tinea in the groin folds, sometimes called "Jock's itch," usually looks like reddish-brown patches that can spread to the insides of the thighs. The fungus that causes tinea is called tinea cruris. It's easy to confuse with other types of yeast infections or psoriasis, which usually causes it. Most of the time, it's because they sweat too much, which can be caused by wearing clothes that are too tight.
Ringworm is a contagious disease that can be passed from one person to another through close, long-term touch. This infectious fungus may be spread from person to person by sharing common household items and linens, as well as through pets like dogs and cats.
What Else Could It Be If It's Not Ringworm?
A rash that looks like a circle or ring, like the one caused by ringworm, can sometimes be mistaken for something else. To get the proper diagnosis, you must talk to your doctor. Each disease requires a unique treatment.
Here are some skin conditions that are often confused with ringworm:
Pityriasis rosea
Pityriasis rosea is a common skin disease that causes a red, flaky, and itchy rash. Almost every part of the body can show the rash. It commonly appears as a "herald patch" on the back, chest, or stomach. Usually, this is followed by several smaller patches or bumps that resemble a pine tree. If the red circle doesn't show, it may be harder to pinpoint the problem. You may feel ill for a day or two before the rash starts, which resembles ringworm. HHV-7 and HHV-6 are blamed for most instances, although the real cause is uncertain.
Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis may be caused by soaps, cosmetics, detergents, metals, or latex. Most of the time, allergic reactions are what causes this type of eczema. It may also refer to "diaper rash" or peeling and cracking skin from overwashing hands. Both contact dermatitis and ringworm create thickened, scaly skin.
Nummular Eczema
Nummular eczema has comparable symptoms to ringworm and is occasionally confused for it. The Latin word "nummular," from which our English word "coin" comes, is a good way to describe how this rash looks. This condition is marked by coin-shaped patches of dry, scaly skin, different levels of pain, and a burning sensation. Itchy bug stings, several drugs, and touching nickel may cause rashes. Soaps, cosmetics, and irritating textiles like wool may worsen the condition.
Granuloma Annulare
Granuloma annulare mimics ringworm and causes raised, flesh-colored rings. People sometimes think that this is ringworm. It can happen anywhere on the body, but the bumps that come with it are almost always only in one place. After the ring forms, the patches may no longer be red. Each ring's diameter might be a quarter-inch to two inches. Most of the time, the skin does not usually itch or peel. The exact cause of this condition is unknown. However, it may be connected to diabetes, the thyroid, or trauma.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an auto-immune disease in which the body's immune system attacks the skin cells of the person who has it. The body produces an excessively large amount of skin cells, causing inflammation. When the body develops too many new skin cells before the old ones shed, thick, scaly, inflammatory skin occurs. If you touch them, you might get a rash that itches, feel pain, or even lose some blood. A stressful incident, anxiety, certain drugs, an illness, or environmental factors may trigger this chronic disorder. Psoriasis is commonly diagnosed by a skin biopsy since it resembles other skin illnesses and cannot be indicated by a blood test.
Lyme Disease
Early Lyme disease causes a bull's-eye rash called erythema migrans. The first sign of the disease is this rash, which is caused by a tick bite. This symptom, found in over 70% of patients, is widely employed to start therapy. The condition typically appears as a single wound. However, some people may have many symptoms. The rash may emerge three days after the disease or thirty-two days after the infection, although it usually appears between seven and fourteen days after the infestation. If you don't get the proper treatment, the rash will almost certainly get worse. If a disease is diagnosed and treated early, its long-term effects may be prevented.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Symptoms on the skin that look like rashes usually go away on their own in a very short time. If the problem persists or changes unexpectedly, seek medical attention. Even though ringworm causes a circular, red rash, it may be caused by something more dangerous. A rash should be evaluated by a doctor so the proper treatment may be given.
How to Treat Red Circles on Skin
Whether you get a red, circular rash, have it checked out to discover if you have ringworm or another skin condition. After a dermatologist gives you the proper diagnosis, you can do this procedure successfully.
Each person's treatment strategy would be tailored for the best outcome. Most tinea infections, or ringworm, are superficial fungal infections that may be healed in two to four weeks with topical antifungal creams, lotions, or powders.
When used as prescribed, OTC drugs such as Clotrimazole, Miconazole, Terbinafine, and Ketoconazole may treat ringworm. If the infection is becoming worse, consult your dermatologist immediately. Oral antifungals might then be supplied to directly treat the infection.
Environmental causes for skin conditions like contact dermatitis, eczema, or Lyme disease may be found and prevented by proper testing and treatment. This could help ease some of the symptoms of the rashes. Common treatments include antihistamines, topical corticosteroids, warm baths, and alcohol-free moisturizers. Antihistamines or steroids on the skin area with pityriasis rosea are often used to treat it. These treatments minimize illness-related itching and pain.
You can't get rid of a rash from the inside by just putting creams and lotions on the area. You will need to come up with a plan that covers more ground. Psoriasis may vanish on its own, but it's usually treated with topical steroids, immunosuppressants, and UV radiation. Granuloma annulare causes rings to disappear within a few months, when the patient may no longer require treatment. These wounds may develop more seriously, so you'll need medical care.
In any of these situations, the doctor may help determine whether the rash is related to another illness or condition and provide antibiotics or other medication as needed.
It is possible that a red circle on the skin is not always caused by an infection caused by ringworm. By examining the rash's size, location, color, shape, and texture, you can establish its source and how to treat it. Internal and external causes might cause a red rash. Lyme disease, pityriasis rosea, contact dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis may induce ringworm-like symptoms.
Some people with red rashes also have other symptoms, like trouble breathing or headaches. If you have these kinds of problems, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible. If detected early, the condition is easier to treat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can stress be the main cause of red circles on your skin?
Skin breakouts may be triggered by stress (called hives). Eczema and psoriasis may worsen as a result.
How to tell if it's a bacterial circle rash?
Red spots will surround a clear ring around the center of the bacterial rash.
Key Takeaways
- A rash is a common skin problem caused by both outside and inside factors.
- Ringworm is a common type of skin infection caused by fungi. It looks like a red, itchy rash in a circle. It's shaped like a ring.
- Other skin conditions like contact dermatitis, granuloma annulare, pityriasis rosea, lime disease, nummular eczema, and psoriasis may look like ringworm.
