Ringworm is a fungal infection of the skin, not a worm. It shows up as a red, scaly, itchy patch, often ring-shaped with a clearer centre, and it is treated with antifungal creams or tablets chosen by a doctor. If the rash keeps coming back or isn’t clearing, a dermatologist should check it before you try another cream. You can book a consultation here.
Overview
Ask around in any Delhi office in July and you’ll find at least three people scratching their groin, underarms or waistline and pretending they aren’t. Humid weather, tight clothes, sweaty commutes and shared towels make this one of the most common skin complaints we see. Most people know it as “daad” or “fungal”, and nearly everyone has tried a cream from the chemist before they ever see a doctor.
Here’s where things go wrong. A lot of those over-the-counter tubes contain a steroid, sometimes mixed with an antifungal, sometimes not. The rash calms down for a few days, you feel clever, and then it returns bigger and angrier. This guide explains how to recognise ringworm, why it hangs around, what proper treatment looks like and how to stop it from coming back. At DermaSure Clinic in Safdarjung Enclave, fungal infections are part of everyday medical dermatology, so we see the full range, from a simple patch on the arm to the stubborn kind that has already been through three creams.
What Is Ringworm?
In plain words
● A fungal infection of the top layer of skin, hair or nails
● The medical name is tinea, and the name changes with the body area (tinea corporis on the body, tinea cruris in the groin, tinea pedis on the feet)
● Spreads by skin contact, shared towels, clothes, bedding and damp floors
● Thrives in warm, humid, sweaty areas
● Has nothing to do with worms, despite the name
Ringworm is a fungus, not a worm and not a sign of dirt. Anyone can get it, especially in humid weather.
Meet Dr. Shirin Bakshi
Dr. Shirin Bakshi completed her MBBS at Lady Hardinge Medical College, Delhi, and her MD in Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology at PGIMER, Chandigarh. According to the clinic, she has around seven years of experience treating skin, hair and nail conditions. She sees patients at DermaSure Clinic, B7, 123A, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi.
Professional Highlights
● MBBS, Lady Hardinge Medical College, Delhi
● MD in Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, PGIMER, Chandigarh
● Treats skin, hair and nail conditions
● Clinic open Monday to Saturday, 11 AM to 6:30 PM
Have a photo of the rash? Send it on WhatsApp and the team will tell you whether a visit makes sense.
How Do You Know It’s Ringworm?
The classic picture is a round or oval patch with a raised, scaly edge and a clearer centre. It itches, sometimes a lot. It can look red on lighter skin and brownish or purplish on darker skin, which is why people often miss it at first. On the scalp it can cause patchy hair loss, and on the feet it often looks like peeling or cracking between the toes.
Not every fungal rash is a neat ring, though. In the groin or under the breasts, it can look like a spreading red-brown patch with a defined edge. Plenty of people only realise it’s fungal when the ring shows up after weeks of treating it as an “allergy”. A dermatologist’s overview on ringworm drug resistance describes the same typical signs: ring shape, raised edges, itch, redness, bumps and, on the scalp, hair loss.
Why Does Fungal Infection Keep Coming Back?
This is the question that fills our clinic, honestly. There isn’t one reason. Usually it’s a mix of these.
1. The Steroid Cream Problem
Steroid creams reduce redness and itching, so the rash looks better for a while. But they also weaken the skin’s local defence, and the fungus quietly spreads underneath. Dermatologists warn against putting steroid creams on any rash that might be ringworm, and the same article above links casual misuse of treatments to tougher, more persistent strains.
2. Stopping Too Early
The itch goes in a week, so the tube goes into the drawer. The fungus, meanwhile, is still there. Antifungal treatment is usually continued for the full course your doctor sets, even after the skin looks clear.
3. A Wrong Diagnosis
Eczema, psoriasis, heat rash and even some pigment conditions can look like ringworm. Treating the wrong thing wastes weeks. Sometimes a small skin scraping examined under the microscope settles it.
4. Resistant Strains
In India, doctors have been talking about a newer strain called Trichophyton indotineae that doesn’t respond well to some usual treatments. ETV Bharat reported on how common it has become among dermatophyte cases in India, which is one reason a rash that ignores two creams deserves proper testing rather than a third guess.
5. Living Habits
Damp gym clothes worn twice, tight synthetic underwear, shared towels, wet socks, a family member with untreated infection at home. The fungus finds you again and again if the environment doesn’t change.
A rash that returns again and again usually has a cause. Find the cause and the rash stops coming back.
What Does Proper Treatment Look Like?
It depends on where the infection is and how widespread it is.
Common approaches
● Antifungal creams or lotions for small, limited patches, used for the full period your doctor advises
● Antifungal tablets when the infection is widespread, on the scalp or nails, or hasn’t responded to creams
● Medicated shampoos or washes in some scalp or body cases
● Treating the whole picture: feet, nails or a close family member with the same infection
● Stopping steroid-containing products that may be fuelling it
Resistant infections can take much longer. The same Forefront article notes that for drug-resistant ringworm, even the usual medicine can need several months. So please don’t judge your treatment at day five.
Why Choose DermaSure Clinic for Fungal Infections?
Key advantages
● A dermatologist with an MD from PGIMER sees you personally
● Fungal infections are handled under the clinic’s fungal infection care
● Questions about your old creams are welcomed, not judged
● Treatment explained in plain language with a clear end date
● Easy to reach in Safdarjung Enclave from across South Delhi
Want to see how we explain skin problems? Watch our short videos on YouTube, or book your consultation here.
Signs You Should See a Doctor Soon
● The rash has spread, or has become red, swollen or oozing
● You’ve used an over-the-counter cream for two weeks with no change
● The patch is on your scalp, face, nails or groin
● It keeps returning every season
● Several people in your home have similar patches
● You have diabetes or low immunity
● You aren’t sure whether it’s fungal at all
How the Treatment Goes, Step by Step
- Consultation: The doctor looks at the rash, asks what you’ve applied and whether it has changed.
- Confirming the diagnosis: A scraping may be taken if the picture is unclear.
- Treatment plan: You get the right antifungal, a duration and instructions for the skin around it.
- Hygiene changes: Towels, clothes, footwear and bedding are included in the plan.
- Review: The doctor checks your progress and tells you when it’s safe to stop.
What Are the Benefits of Treating It Properly?
✔ Itching settles faster and stays settled
✔ You stop passing it to family members
✔ Less chance of dark marks left behind on the skin
✔ Fewer wasted creams and fewer relapses
✔ A clear answer if it turns out not to be fungal
Everyday Habits That Keep Fungus Away
Simple habits that help
● Dry yourself fully after a bath, especially folds, groin and between the toes
● Wear loose, breathable cotton when the weather is humid
● Change out of sweaty gym clothes straight away
● Never share towels, combs or clothes
● Wash towels and bedding in hot water during treatment
● Wear slippers in common bathrooms and gym showers
● Treat a pet or family member if they have the same infection
The fungus loves moisture. Keep skin dry and clothes loose, and you’ve done half the treatment already.
Why Do South Delhi Patients Trust DermaSure Clinic?
● A doctor who explains the reason for every cream
● Honest advice about steroid-containing products
● Patient tips on Facebook and the clinic’s other pages
● A clinic that’s easy to reach in Safdarjung Enclave
● Contact by phone, WhatsApp or email
Conclusion
Ringworm isn’t dramatic, but it can be stubborn, and the stubbornness usually comes from the wrong cream, a stopped course or a damp habit that never changed. Get the diagnosis right, finish what the doctor prescribes and keep the skin dry, and most people see the back of it. If yours has returned for the third time this year, it’s time for a proper look at DermaSure Clinic.
Contact DermaSure Clinic
Email: drshirin.dermasure@gmail.com
Phone: +91 92058 06349, +91 11 4670 8000
Book your skin consultation at DermaSure Clinic here
FAQs
What is the fastest way to treat ringworm?
A dermatologist-chosen antifungal, used for the full course, is the fastest safe route. Steroid creams can make it worse.
Why does my fungal infection keep coming back?
Common reasons are stopping treatment early, using steroid-containing creams, a wrong diagnosis, resistant strains and damp, tight clothing.
Is ringworm contagious?
Yes. It spreads through skin contact and shared towels, clothes or damp surfaces.
How long does ringworm treatment take?
Simple infections often clear in a few weeks with the right medicine, while resistant or widespread ones can take months.
Where can I get fungal infection treatment in Delhi?
You can see Dr. Shirin Bakshi at DermaSure Clinic in Safdarjung Enclave, call +91 92058 06349 or write to drshirin.dermasure@gmail.com.
