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Kurap & Panau: Ringworm and Tinea Versicolor Explained

Kurap (ringworm) and panau (tinea or pityriasis versicolor) are common fungal skin infections in Malaysia's hot, humid climate, and both are usually easy to treat with antifungal medicine. Kurap causes an itchy, scaly, ring-shaped rash and can spread through contact with people, pets or shared towels. Panau causes flat patches that are lighter or darker than the surrounding skin, usually on the chest, back and upper arms; it is caused by a yeast that lives on everyone's skin and is not contagious. Antifungal creams for kurap usually need up to 4 weeks, while panau is treated with antifungal shampoo or cream, though skin colour can take months to return and it often comes back. Avoid steroid creams on a fungal rash unless a doctor prescribes them.

Kurap vs panau: what is the difference?

Kurap (ringworm) Panau (tinea versicolor)
Cause A fungus (dermatophyte) caught from people, animals, objects or soil Overgrowth of a yeast (Malassezia) that normally lives on the skin
Looks like Usually a ring-shaped rash, red or darker than the skin around it, scaly or dry Flat, round patches; on brown skin usually paler than the surrounding skin, sometimes darker; may join into large areas
Itch Often itchy Sometimes mildly itchy; often no symptoms other than colour change
Where Anywhere: body, groin, scalp, face, feet Chest, upper back, upper arms, neck, tummy
Contagious? Yes No
Main treatment Antifungal cream, gel or spray for up to 4 weeks Antifungal shampoo or cream on the skin

Other skin conditions can look similar. Pale patches may be vitiligo, and raised, flaky patches may be psoriasis, so see a pharmacist or doctor if you are not sure.

Kurap (ringworm): signs and causes

Ringworm is a common fungal infection; despite the name, it is not caused by worms. According to the NHS, the main symptom is a rash that:

  • is usually ring-shaped, though it may look different on the face, neck or scalp;
  • looks red or darker than the surrounding skin, depending on your skin tone;
  • may be scaly, dry, swollen or itchy;
  • can grow, spread or appear in more than one place.

Kurap can appear anywhere, including the body (kurap badan), the groin (kurap celah kangkang, or jock itch) and the scalp (kurap kepala), where it may cause patchy hair loss.

How you catch it. Ringworm spreads through close contact with:

  • an infected person;
  • an infected animal, such as a cat or dog with patches of missing fur (kurap kucing);
  • infected objects such as towels, combs or bedsheets;
  • less often, infected soil.

In a study at Hospital Melaka's skin clinic, Trichophyton rubrum was the most common fungus found in ringworm of the body, groin and feet, while Microsporum canis was the main cause of scalp ringworm.

Ubat kurap: how to treat ringworm

The NHS recommends speaking to a pharmacist first. They can recommend an antifungal medicine (krim kurap), usually a cream, gel or spray (common examples contain clotrimazole, miconazole or terbinafine), depending on where the rash is.

  • You may need to use it every day for up to 4 weeks.
  • Finish the full course, even if the rash has gone, or it may come back.
  • Scalp ringworm needs prescription antifungal tablets and shampoo from a doctor.

Stop it spreading: start treatment early, do not scratch the rash, wash towels and bedsheets regularly, do not share towels, combs or bedsheets, wash your hands after touching animals or soil, and take your pet to the vet if it might have ringworm. Children can go to school once treatment has started.

Panau (tinea versicolor): signs and causes

Panau is a common fungal skin condition that causes patches of skin to change colour. According to the NHS and a 2022 review:

  • on brown skin, the patches are usually paler than the surrounding skin, but they can also be darker;
  • they are flat and round, can join up into large areas, and may feel slightly scaly or itchy;
  • they usually appear on the chest, upper back, upper arms, neck or tummy;
  • they often become more noticeable after sun exposure, because the affected skin does not tan normally.

What causes it? Panau is caused by Malassezia, a yeast that lives on most people's skin without causing problems. Sometimes it grows more than usual. It is not caused by poor hygiene, most people who have it are otherwise healthy, and it cannot spread from person to person.

The 2022 review lists factors that can trigger overgrowth, including a hot and humid environment, heavy sweating, oily lotions or creams on the skin, wearing masks, oily skin, pregnancy, oral contraceptives, diabetes and steroid use. Panau is most common in teenagers and young adults. Its prevalence is very high in hot and humid climates: in some tropical countries it affects up to 50% of people, compared with 0.5% in Sweden.

Cara hilangkan panau: treatment

A pharmacist or doctor can advise on treatment. The main options are:

  • Antifungal shampoo used on the skin, such as ketoconazole or selenium sulfide: apply it to the patches and rinse off after 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Antifungal cream.
  • Antifungal tablets from a doctor if panau covers a large area or creams and shampoos do not work.

Be patient with the colour. It can take a few months for the skin to return to its usual colour, even after the fungus has cleared. When the fine scale disappears, the treatment has worked; the remaining pale or dark marks will fade slowly.

Panau often comes back, especially in hot weather. If it keeps returning, your doctor may suggest using an antifungal shampoo on the skin every few weeks to prevent it. Applying the same treatment again when patches reappear is also common.

If you are worried about uneven skin tone after panau, our guide to hijab skin routines and uneven skin covers gentle care for covered skin.

Kutu air and other fungal infections

Kutu air (athlete's foot) is a fungal infection of the feet. It causes itchy white patches between the toes, and sore, flaky or cracked skin. It is common if your feet stay wet or sweaty, for example in closed shoes all day or after walking barefoot in shared showers. According to the NHS:

  • pharmacy antifungal creams, sprays or powders usually take a few weeks to work;
  • dry your feet well after washing, especially between the toes;
  • wear clean cotton socks daily, and do not wear the same shoes more than 2 to 3 days in a row;
  • wear flip-flops in changing rooms and shared showers;
  • see a doctor if you have diabetes, as foot problems can be more serious.

Untreated athlete's foot can spread to the toenails and cause a fungal nail infection, which is harder to treat.

Fungal and yeast infections can also affect the vagina. See our guide to vaginal yeast infection (thrush).

Why you should not use steroid creams on a fungal rash

Steroid creams, and creams that combine a steroid with an antifungal and antibiotic, are sometimes used for any itchy rash. On a fungal rash, a steroid does not treat the fungus and can change how the rash looks, making it harder to recognise. A 2026 review describes a rise in "steroid-modified dermatophytosis": chronic, recurring and hard-to-treat ringworm linked to over-the-counter steroid misuse.

  • Do not use a steroid cream on a rash you think is fungal unless a doctor prescribes it.
  • If a rash got better with a steroid cream and then spread or came back, tell your doctor.

How to prevent kurap and panau

  • Keep skin clean and dry, especially skin folds, the groin and between the toes. Change out of sweaty clothes after exercise or a hot day.
  • Wear loose, breathable clothing such as cotton. If you wear a hijab or long sleeves in the heat, let your skin dry well after showering.
  • Do not share towels, combs, bedsheets, socks or shoes.
  • Check your pets for patches of missing fur and take them to the vet if needed.
  • Go easy on oily lotions on the chest and back if you are prone to panau.
  • Treat early and finish the whole course of antifungal treatment.

When to see a doctor

See a doctor if:

  • kurap has not improved after the antifungal treatment recommended by a pharmacist;
  • you have ringworm on your scalp;
  • you have a weakened immune system or diabetes;
  • a patch of skin has changed colour and you are not sure why;
  • a foot or leg becomes hot, painful and red, which could be a more serious infection;
  • the rash keeps coming back.

A painful band of blisters on one side of the body is not a fungal infection; it may be kayap (shingles), which needs prompt treatment.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What is the difference between kurap and panau?

Kurap (ringworm) is a fungal infection that usually causes an itchy, scaly, ring-shaped rash and can spread through contact with people, animals or shared items. Panau (pityriasis or tinea versicolor) is caused by a yeast that normally lives on the skin; it causes flat, round patches that are lighter or darker than the surrounding skin, usually on the chest, back, neck and upper arms, and it does not spread from person to person.

What is ringworm in Malay?

Ringworm is called kurap in Malay. Despite its name, it is not caused by worms but by a fungus. Ringworm in the groin is often called kurap celah kangkang, and athlete's foot, a related fungal infection of the feet, is commonly called kutu air.

What is the best ubat kurap?

Antifungal creams, gels or sprays from a pharmacy, such as clotrimazole, miconazole or terbinafine, are usually the first treatment. You may need to use them every day for up to 4 weeks and keep going until the full course is finished, even if the rash fades. Ringworm on the scalp needs prescription antifungal tablets and shampoo from a doctor.

How do I get rid of panau (cara hilangkan panau)?

Panau is treated with an antifungal shampoo such as ketoconazole or selenium sulfide applied to the affected skin and rinsed off after 10 to 15 minutes, or with an antifungal cream. A doctor may prescribe tablets if it covers a large area. The colour of the skin can take a few months to return to normal after treatment, and panau often comes back.

Is kurap contagious?

Yes. Kurap can spread through close contact with an infected person or animal, such as a cat with patches of missing fur, and through shared towels, combs or bedsheets. Panau is not contagious.

Why does panau keep coming back?

The yeast that causes panau lives on everyone's skin, and hot, humid weather, sweating and oily skin products can make it overgrow again. In some tropical countries up to half of people have panau. If it keeps returning, a doctor may suggest using an antifungal shampoo on the skin every few weeks to prevent it.

Can I use steroid cream for kurap?

Do not use a steroid cream on a rash you think is fungal unless a doctor prescribes it. Steroids do not kill the fungus and can change how the rash looks, making it harder to recognise, and misuse of steroid creams and combination creams has led to stubborn, hard-to-treat fungal infections. Use an antifungal cream and see a doctor if it does not improve.

Disclaimer

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment from a doctor or pharmacist. Health supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

References

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