Tinea, or ringworm, is a common fungal infection of the skin, hair or nails — no worm is involved. It spreads
easily in hot, humid weather and between family members. Properly used antifungal treatment clears it, but in
India it has become stubborn and widespread, largely because of over-the-counter creams that mix steroids with
antifungals. Ayurveda describes it as Dadru.
What is tinea?
Tinea is caused by dermatophytes — fungi that live on the dead outer layer of skin, hair and nails. It
spreads by direct skin contact, and through shared towels, clothes, bedding, combs and footwear; some types come
from pets or farm animals. Sweat, tight synthetic clothing, obesity, diabetes and a weakened immune system make
infection more likely. In recent years India has seen an epidemic of extensive, recurrent tinea that is harder
to treat than before.
Turmeric, neem and other herbs are widely used in Ayurvedic skin care. Patch-test anything you apply, and buy only licensed products.
Types by body site
The same fungi cause all of these; the name changes with the site. Scalp and nail infections need tablets, not just creams.
Symptoms
Itchy, red or darker, scaly patches with a raised, spreading edge and a clearer centre — the “ring”
In the groin and under the breasts: large itchy patches, often spreading to the buttocks and thighs
Between the toes: white, soggy, cracked or peeling skin with itching or burning
On the scalp: scaly patches with broken hairs or bald areas, sometimes a painful swollen lump (kerion)
In the nails: thickened, crumbly, yellow or white nails
Avoid steroid-mixed creams
Many creams sold over the counter combine a strong steroid with an antifungal and an antibiotic.
The steroid reduces itching for a few days but weakens the skin's defences, so the fungus spreads further,
the ring shape disappears (“tinea incognito”), and the infection keeps coming back. Long use thins the skin and
causes stretch marks.
Don't use a cream on a rash unless you know what it contains. If you have been using one, tell your doctor — stopping it is part of treatment.
Treatment
Small patches: a plain antifungal cream (such as terbinafine, clotrimazole, miconazole or luliconazole) applied once or twice daily, extending 2 cm beyond the edge, for 2–4 weeks — and continued for 1–2 weeks after the skin looks clear.
Extensive, recurrent, scalp or nail infections: need antifungal tablets prescribed by a doctor, often for several weeks; nail infections may take months.
Antihistamine tablets can help the itch while the antifungal works.
Treat everyone in the household who has symptoms at the same time, and have pets checked by a vet if they have patches of hair loss.
Resistance to some antifungal medicines is increasing in India — if a full course doesn't work, see a dermatologist rather than switching creams repeatedly.
Preventing spread
Keep skin dry, especially skin folds and between the toes; dry thoroughly after bathing.
Wear loose cotton clothes and underwear; change them daily, and after sweating.
Wash clothes, towels and bedding in hot water if possible, and dry them fully — in sunlight if you can. Iron clothes of affected family members.
Don't share towels, combs, caps, clothes or footwear.
Wear slippers in shared bathrooms, gyms and pools; air shoes out.
Control blood sugar in diabetes, and lose weight if skin folds are a problem.
Ayurvedic view
Reduce Kapha (itching, moisture) and Pitta (redness, spreading) → purify the blood (Rakta shodhana) → keep the skin clean and dry.
Dadru is described among the skin diseases (Kushtha) as raised, circular, itchy, reddish patches
with elevated borders — a close match for tinea. It is attributed mainly to Kapha and Pitta
affecting the skin, blood and lymph (Rasa, Rakta, Lasika), with poor hygiene,
sweat, heavy and incompatible foods, and daytime sleep as contributing causes. Treatment combines external
applications (lepa) with internal blood-purifying herbs, and in chronic cases supervised cleansing.
Ayurvedic care & safety
Chakramarda (Cassia tora) — the classical herb named for Dadru, used as a paste
Karanja and Neem oils or pastes — antifungal and anti-itch
Haridra (turmeric) — anti-inflammatory; stains skin and clothes
Internally:Manjishtha, Neem, Khadira and Guduchi are prescribed as blood purifiers
Herbal pastes may help mild patches, but evidence is limited and they do not reach scalp or nail infections. If a
patch is not clearly improving within 2 weeks, see a doctor. Sulphur- and mineral-based preparations
(Gandhaka formulations and other rasa aushadhi) should be taken only under close supervision.
Some “herbal” skin creams have been found to contain hidden steroids — use licensed products with full labelling.
When to see a doctor
Rash on the scalp, in the nails, or covering a large area
No improvement after 2 weeks of correct treatment, or it keeps returning
Diabetes, pregnancy, or a weakened immune system
Pain, pus, swelling, fever, or red streaks spreading from the area (bacterial infection)
A child with scaly bald patches
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