But some people may want to reduce the appearance of their scars. Scarring isn’t necessarily harmful, and scars usually fade over time. Some scarring caused by ringworm can be permanent. They may cover large or small patches of skin. Ringworm scars are usually brown or discolored and flat. In rare cases, a person may experience scarring following a case of ringworm. Some cases of ringworm, including ringworm on your scalp, may cause hair loss. More serious cases may require up to 3 months of treatment. Usually ringworm clears up in 2 to 4 weeks. Most cases of ringworm are mild and fairly easy to treat at home and with medication. Ringworm can affect almost any part of your body, including your scalp and hands. It can look a lot like another skin condition causing a red or discolored rash called psoriasis. The ringworm rash gets its name from the ring-like shape in which it appears, usually surrounding a circle of clearer skin.ĭespite its name, there’s no worm involved. Tinea is transmitted by pets and people, and it’s the same type of fungus that causes jock itch and athlete’s foot. Ringworm is a type of red or discolored, itchy skin rash caused by a contagious fungal infection called tinea ( tinea capitis when it affects your scalp and tinea corporis when it affects your body).
