Skin conditions
Tinea corporis (ringworm)
Despite the name, ringworm involves no worm at all: it is a fungal skin infection that spreads through skin contact, gym mats, shared towels, and pets. A pharmacist at Murray Shore Pharmacy in North York can assess the rash under Ontario's minor ailment program, confirm it fits tinea corporis, and start you on a treatment path the same visit.
Common signs
- A round or oval patch with a raised, scaly border and clearer centre
- Itching at the rash site
- Gradual outward spread of the ring over days to weeks
- One or several patches on the body, arms, or legs
- A new rash after contact with a pet, a wrestling mat, or an affected family member
See a doctor instead if
- Involvement of the scalp, especially with hair loss or boggy swelling, which needs oral treatment from a physician
- Widespread patches covering large areas of the body
- Rash on the face near the eyes, or on the nails
- A weakened immune system from illness or medication
- No improvement after the treatment course, which raises doubt about the diagnosis
Any of these sound like you? Call 416-789-1800 and we will point you the right way — or reach Health811 (opens in a new tab) by calling 811.
How the assessment works
The pharmacist examines the rash and its border pattern, asks about pets, sports, and household contacts, and rules out look-alikes such as eczema patches or pityriasis. For body ringworm, a topical antifungal may be prescribed where appropriate, and you get clear guidance on treatment duration and preventing reinfection at home. Scalp and nail involvement is referred, because topical treatment cannot reach those sites. The assessment is OHIP covered.
Source 1Three ways to get started. Do it all from home, or come in.
Start online from your phone, call us, or walk in and ask for the pharmacist. No appointment is needed. When you start online, a pharmacist calls or messages you back to finish the assessment. Prefer email? Write to us.
Frequently asked questions
Plain answers from the pharmacy team. Tap a question to open it.
Is ringworm contagious to the rest of my family?
Yes, through direct skin contact and shared towels, bedding, or clothing. Part of the assessment covers household precautions: separate towels, washing linens, and checking other family members and pets for patches.
Our cat has a bald patch. Could that be the source?
Very possibly. Cats and dogs carry ringworm and pass it to people. If a pet is the suspected source, get the animal seen by a vet at the same time, or the household will keep trading it back and forth.
Why did the rash get worse when I put cortisone cream on it?
Steroid creams calm the redness but let the fungus spread, producing a distorted rash doctors call tinea incognito. Tell the pharmacist about every cream you have applied; it changes how the rash looks and how we assess it.
How long until I stop being contagious?
Generally after roughly 48 hours of proper treatment the risk drops sharply, though you should finish the full course. The pharmacist will give you specific guidance for school, sports, or work.
Can my child be assessed before a school or camp deadline?
Yes, walk in with your child and their OHIP card, or call 416-789-1800 first. Camps and sports programs often want written confirmation that treatment has started, and we can provide a note of the assessment.
What should I bring to the assessment?
Your health card and any creams you have already applied to the rash, including cortisone products, since those change how the rash looks. If a pet is a suspected source, a photo of the pet's skin patch can be useful too.
Is the assessment covered by OHIP?
Yes, with a valid Ontario health card there is no charge for the assessment. Any treatment products are a separate purchase.
Is jock itch related to ringworm?
Yes, jock itch is essentially the same family of fungal infection settling in the groin, and having one raises the odds of the other. It is assessed separately; see our jock itch page if you have symptoms in that area.
How can I avoid picking up ringworm at the gym?
Wear sandals in shared showers, put a towel or shirt between your skin and shared mats or benches, wash gear after each session, and avoid sharing towels or razors. Fungi thrive on warm, damp surfaces, so the routine matters more than any single precaution.
Do I need to come back after treatment?
Check back if the rash has not clearly improved by the end of the treatment course, or sooner if it spreads or changes. No improvement raises doubt about the diagnosis and usually means referral, which the pharmacist explains at the first visit.
Can adults catch ringworm from children?
Easily, in either direction. Skin contact and shared towels or bedding move the fungus around a household, so when one person is diagnosed, everyone should have a quick look for new patches.
Sources & further reading
Numbered references, linked from the sections above.
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416-789-1800 Call nowPrefer not to call? Email info@murrayshore.com or visit us at Bathurst & Baycrest.