eczema or ringworm or ?

my skin disorder started out looking like I had skinned the far back of my thumb lightely - about the size of a nickle, it has progressed to the size of a quarter or larger and has developed a red ring about 3/16 wide which varies from circular to almost square in shape.Inside the perimeter it changes from pink to white at will-red if put under cold water.The area has recently become minorly itchy and inflamed.I have had this condition for about 3-4 months now.I have tried Lamisil,Topocort,Evening Primrose and Neosporin at different times with no success.There is a possibility that I contracted this from digging in the ground or bathing my dog.My dermatologist said it was eczema and gave me Topocort-it does not work.Is there a possibility that it is not eczema? Any suggestions-medications etc.?

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

It sounds like eczema.  if it were a fungus, the Lamisil would have made it go away, and the Topicort would have made it much worse.  Maybe the eczema is gone, and all you're seeing is left-over redness that will go away by itself.  I can't think of anything you would have picked up from dirt or your dog.  I'm sure this is nothing serious, but if it persists, you ought to check back with the dermatologist who saw it.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[nachtzeit]

To be honest i don't believe Lamisil and other anti-fungal medications always help ringworm, it depends on how deeply entrenched the tinea fungus is. Ringworm heals from the center outward and can last several months, please be careful not to allow physical contact (of the infected area) with pets (if any) and other people as it can be infectious, even for a while after it clears up completely. Tinea spores can also live on just about any surface for a very long time.  

As for eczema..i know very little about. I would just have it checked out.

[nachtzeit]

To be honest i don't believe Lamisil and other anti-fungal medications always help ringworm, it depends on how deeply entrenched the tinea fungus is. Ringworm heals from the center outward and can last several months, please be careful not to allow physical contact (of the infected area) with pets (if any) and other people as it can be infectious, even for a while after it clears up completely. Tinea spores can also live on just about any surface for a very long time.  

As for eczema..i know very little about. I would just have it checked out.