Q I'm a housewife in my 30s. I developed round, red spots on my torso. Can athlete's foot appear on the body too?
A Yes. Called tinea corporis, dermatophyte infections can occur on the torso, arms, and legs. It is characterized by a ring-shaped red patch that clears in the center while the edges spread outward in red. It can spread if you sweat a lot, are in a humid environment, or have weakened immunity.
Detailed Answer
Ringworm that occurs on areas other than the feet is called tinea corporis. Typically, a round or oval red patch spreads outward while the center gradually clears and looks like normal skin. It can spread through clothing or towels, and is more likely to develop with weakened immunity, diabetes, or long-term steroid use.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
In Korean medicine pattern differentiation, tinea corporis corresponds to wind-damp-heat pattern (pungseupyeol-jeung). It presents as wind, dampness, and heat pathogens invading the skin and spreading throughout the body. We use heat-clearing and detoxifying (cheongyeol-haedok) prescriptions to expel internal heat-toxins, while combining acupuncture and pharmacopuncture to regenerate the skin barrier. The goal is not merely to eliminate external fungi, but to create a skin environment in which fungi cannot survive.
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