Circular rash on baby leg

Ringworm in Babies and Toddlers

You’ve probably heard of ringworm before and may have wondered what it has to do with worms. The name is actually a misnomer because ringworm has nothing to do with worms. Instead, the name is a reference to the ring-shaped rash caused by a fungal infection. Read on to learn more about what ringworm is, what treatment is available for it, and how you can try to prevent your baby or toddler from getting ringworm in the first place.

What Is Ringworm?

Ringworm is a common type of fungal skin infection that is somewhat contagious and can happen to anybody—not just young children. The fungus can spread by people, animals, and contaminated objects. So, for example, the clothing, bed linen, or towel of someone who has ringworm being used by someone else could help spread the infection. You may be more familiar with ringworm than you think as it’s the same fungal infection that causes jock itch (tinea cruris) and athlete’s foot (tinea pedis). Essentially, when fungus grows on the groin area it’s called jock itch, when it grows on the feet it’s called athlete’s foot, and when it grows on any other part of the body it’s called ringworm. The medical name of a fungal skin infection begins with tinea and is followed by a word referring to the infection's location. For example, tinea capitis means infections of the scalp, and tinea corporis means infections of the body.

How Do Babies and Toddlers Get Ringworm?

Ringworm can be spread to babies and toddlers in three different ways:

Contact with someone who is infected
Contact with items that have been handled by or used by an infected person, such as combs, towels, clothing, or bedding
Contact with a ringworm-infected pet.

What Does Ringworm Look Like on Your Baby or Toddler?

Ringworm causes red, scaly circular patches with raised edges. As the rash grows the patches may become smoother in the center. The rash can show up on your child’s scalp or elsewhere on her body. Multiple ring-shaped patches can develop if the infection spreads untreated. Here’s how the rash evolves when symptoms appear, usually 4 to 14 days after the initial infection:

Red, scaly patches appear on your baby or toddler’s skin or scalp
The patches morph into the circular ring shapes once the rash has grown to about half an inch in diameter
Typically the rash stops growing when it gets to about one inch in diameter
Your baby may have one or many of these patches, which may or may not be itchy and uncomfortable.

Keep in mind that hair may be lost in the affected area, especially if the ringworm rash is on the scalp. In some severe cases the infection can cause scarring and permanent hair loss. It can be easy to confuse certain types of ringworm with dandruff, eczema, cradle cap, or another skin condition. Cradle cap only occurs in infancy, which means that if your child is over 1 year old, the infection is unlikely to be cradle cap and is more likely to be ringworm or another condition. Your child’s healthcare provider will be able to make a diagnosis if you’re unsure what’s causing the red, scaly patches on your little one’s skin.

Ringworm Treatment for Babies and Toddlers

Your healthcare provider may recommend an over-the-counter cream, such as clotrimazole, tolnaftate, or miconazole, to treat your baby’s ringworm. Typically, this medication has to be applied two to three times a day for at least a week before the ringworm infection begins to clear. Read the instructions on the product label, and consult the pharmacist or your healthcare provider if you have any questions. If the over-the-counter cream doesn’t work, your child’s provider may prescribe a stronger oral antifungal medication. Be sure to use the medication as directed and for as long as it’s recommended to ensure your baby’s ringworm clears up entirely. In the case of ringworm that is on your baby’s scalp, your child’s provider may recommend a special shampoo. Other members of the household may also need to get treatment. While the infection is still circulating in your home, be sure that items like combs, hats, and towels aren’t shared to prevent the fungal infection associated with ringworm from spreading (or re-spreading).

How Can Ringworm Be Prevented?

Ringworm can be prevented through simple measures including:

Keeping your baby’s skin clean and dry
Avoiding tight-fitting clothing
Using clean towels
Avoiding the sharing of clothes, towels, combs, brushes, and hats
Dressing your baby in fresh, clean clothes every day
Ensuring your child’s hands are thoroughly washed after touching or playing with a ringworm-infected pet (patchy hair loss is an indicator your pet may have ringworm, which should be treated by a veterinarian promptly)
Treating other family members with ringworm to prevent it spreading throughout the members of your household
Treating other fungal infections, such as athlete’s foot or jock itch, immediately to prevent further spreading.

It may be a good idea to keep your child home from daycare or preschool to prevent her from spreading ringworm to others. Check with the daycare center or preschool as to what their policy might be regarding an infection like ringworm, or ask your child’s healthcare provider for personalized advice.

The Bottom Line

Ringworm is a completely treatable condition. It’s best to catch it early before it spreads to other parts of your baby’s body, or to another member of the family. Over-the-counter medication and/or medication prescribed by your child’s healthcare provider can help eradicate the fungal infection. The key to helping prevent your baby or another family member from getting or spreading ringworm is to ensure articles of clothing, towels, and bed linen aren’t shared, and that towels and clothes are washed regularly. If you suspect your pet has ringworm, take it to the veterinarian immediately, and be sure to wash your hands after contact. A ringworm infection can be contained with the proper precautions. With tender love and care combined with an effective treatment, your baby or toddler will heal from this infection and have clear skin once again.

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Ringworm is a type of rash that looks like a pink or red worm has curled up just under the skin. However, ringworm is not actually a worm at all. It is a contagious fungal infection called tinea, or dermatophytosis.

Spotting a ringworm rash in a baby can be alarming, but it is unlikely to cause any long-term harm. It may be difficult to distinguish ringworm from other common infant rashes, so it is best to see a doctor for a diagnosis.

Ringworm is very treatable, and over-the-counter (OTC) remedies often clear it up within a few days.

In this article, learn more about ringworm in babies, including the symptoms, causes, and treatments.

Several types of fungi can cause ringworm. The fungi that cause this infection can live on the skin, clothing, towels, and other surfaces.

The infection can spread from one person to another, especially if they are in close contact or share certain items, such as clothing and linens.

For most babies, ringworm is a mild infection, but it may itch or be painful. Without treatment, the rash may spread. Babies who scratch the rash may introduce bacteria into the wound, which can cause a more serious bacterial infection. For this reason, it is essential to get treatment.

Ringworm can appear on any part of the body. For most babies, the rash appears as a circular or wavy rash with a raised border.

The center is slightly indented. The rash typically is red or pink.

Other symptoms include:

itchy, irritated skin
persistent scratching of the skin
frequent crying
changes in behavior, such as trouble sleeping or more frequent nursing

Athlete’s foot is ringworm on the soles of the feet, the toes, or the toenails. It is very uncommon in babies, but it may occasionally affect toddlers. Symptoms of athlete’s foot may include:

dry, peeling skin
changes in the nails
nail loss
swelling
blisters

Share on PinterestA person can transmit ringworm to a baby through a hug.

Babies can contract ringworm from coming into contact with a person or animal with the infection. Common ways a baby acquires ringworm include:

petting a dog or cat with ringworm
sharing pillows, towels, or linens with someone who has ringworm
walking barefoot
hugging people with ringworm
touching things a person with ringworm has recently touched

Babies and children are more likely to get ringworm because they are more often in close contact with others, and because they are less aware of hygiene concerns.

Babies in daycare settings are especially vulnerable. If one child in daycare gets ringworm, the infection can sometimes spread through the entire facility.

A doctor can often diagnose ringworm just by looking at the skin, especially if the rash has the characteristic raised border.

However, babies can get many different rashes, including eczema, heat rash, skin pigmentation, and acne. Some birthmarks can even resemble a rash or ringworm.

If a doctor is uncertain whether ringworm is the culprit, they may take a small sample of the skin to examine under a microscope.

Most ringworm infections respond well to OTC treatments. Consider trying an antifungal cream, such as clotrimazole, miconazole, or ketoconazole.

Antifungal creams are available in pharmacies and online. Various manufacturers offer these products under different brand names, so look for a ringworm-specific product that is approved for your baby’s age.

With treatment, ringworm usually goes away within a few weeks. Itching and other symptoms tend to get better in a few days. Ringworm is not contagious after 2–3 days of treatment.

If ringworm is on the scalp, the baby will likely need a prescription antifungal medicine. Ringworm on the scalp can take several months to disappear. The doctor may also recommend using special shampoos to avoid irritating the rash.

If ringworm gets worse after beginning treatment, if the baby develops a fever, or if the rash looks very red and irritated, it may be infected.

An infected ringworm rash may require treatment with antibiotics, so it is best to take the baby to the doctor.

It is unwise to delay treatment for ringworm. While ringworm is usually a mild infection, bacteria may cause more serious problems if they infect the rash, especially if a baby aggressively scratches it.

Preterm babies and those with weak immune systems are especially vulnerable to complications.

There is only very limited and inconclusive research on the effectiveness of various natural and home remedies.

Like prescription and OTC medications, home remedies can cause side effects. So, it is best to talk to a doctor about treatment before trying a home remedy.

Some caregivers also try home remedies alongside standard treatments to speed up healing or prevent another outbreak.

If the skin looks broken or shows signs of infection, or if the baby has a history of eczema or allergies, see a pediatrician or dermatologist before applying anything to the rash.

Some people choose to apply breast milk to a baby’s rashes and skin irritation. Breast milk is rich in antibodies, but there is no evidence to suggest that it can treat ringworm. If it appears to ease symptoms, it is safe to use breast milk along with medical treatment.

Share on PinterestStrategies to prevent ringworm may include putting socks or shoes on babies who have started walking.

Preventing ringworm in babies can be difficult because they require close contact with others through nursing, diaper changes, and rocking.

There is no strategy that can completely prevent ringworm, but some strategies can lower the risk. These strategies may include:

not allowing babies to walk or crawl on surfaces that increase the risk of fungal infection, such as showers and gym locker rooms
keeping the baby home from daycare if another child has ringworm
putting socks or shoes on babies who have just started walking
changing babies out of wet clothes and diapers
not allowing a baby to share a pillow or bed with a family member who has ringworm

If a household member has ringworm, have them keep the rash covered with clothing or a bandage until it is no longer contagious.

Seeing a painful-looking red rash on a baby can be alarming. However, ringworm is rarely serious.

If symptoms do not disappear within a few weeks of starting treatment, return to the doctor. The baby may need a different or more powerful antifungal medication.

Because babies develop many types of rash, it is important to get an accurate diagnosis for suspected ringworm.

Antifungal medications will not treat most other rashes and may delay proper treatment. A pediatrician or pediatric dermatologist can quickly diagnose most rashes in babies.

Rash in a child on the body, legs, back

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Erythema annulare: symptoms, treatment, diagnosis of the disease

Dermatovenereologist

Khasanova

Alina Rashidovna

Experience 9 years

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Erythema annulare is a multiform lesion of the skin, a characteristic feature of which is the appearance of ring-shaped spots and rashes on the skin. The color of the skin of the affected areas changes and becomes red, hot pink or bluish. Depending on the causes of the disease, edema, local fever and other manifestations of the disease can be observed. A change in skin color occurs due to the expansion of the lumen of the blood capillaries penetrating the connective tissue, and the blood stagnation associated with it.

Varieties of pathology

Doctors distinguish several types of annular erythema, depending on the causes of the disease:

Darya centrifugal erythema - most often affecting middle-aged men, less often - children and the elderly, related to infectious-allergic manifestations;
migratory - a disease of an infectious nature resulting from the bite of a tick infected with Borrelia;
rheumatic, or annular erythema, is one of the symptoms that accompany rheumatism, characteristic of children and adolescents.

According to external signs, ring erythema can occur:

in scaly form - with desquamation of dead skin along the edges or the entire surface of the spots;
in vesicular form - with the appearance of small fluid-filled vesicles along the edge or the entire surface of the spots;
in a garland-like form - with the mildest course, which is characterized by pale pink spots arranged in chains or garlands and disappearing after a few days;
in microgarland-like form - with small spots, up to 1 cm in diameter, sometimes accompanied by peeling or blistering, with a long course.

The medical literature also mentions other, very rare types of annular erythema - telangiectatic, purpuric or indurated.

Symptoms

The main manifestation of the disease is the appearance on the skin of characteristic rashes in the form of irregular rings with a bright border raised above the surface of the skin. With centrifugal erythema of Dardieu, they appear, as a rule, on areas of the skin, usually covered with clothing - on the back, abdomen and chest, forearms. Erythema annulare after a midge bite is a single spot that spreads from the site of infection, and in its final form it can reach 20-25 cm in diameter. The spots may be accompanied by itching or burning. In the rheumatic form of the pathology, there are no unpleasant sensations.

Causes of disease

There are many diseases and conditions that can cause erythema annulare, since it is not an independent disease and always occurs against the background of some pathological process. Skin manifestations most often develop against the background of:

accumulation of toxins in the body;
rheumatism;
fungal, viral or bacterial infections;
chronic inflammatory diseases;
dysfunctions of the endocrine gland;
tuberculosis;
borreliosis;
reduce the protective function of the immune system;
allergic reaction;
cancer;
helminthic infestation;
taking certain medications.

In addition, in many cases, Darier's annular erythema occurs for no apparent reason in perfectly healthy people.

Diagnostics

When erythema annulare appears, the diagnosis is based on dermatological examination data and history taking. The main task of the examination is to determine the cause that caused pathological changes in the skin. For this, the patient is prescribed:

skin scraping test for fungus;
clinical blood test;
testing for treponematosis;
skin biopsy for histological analysis;
serological examination of blood;
allergy tests.

Based on the results obtained, specific studies can be prescribed to determine the state of certain organs and identify the underlying disease.

Treatment

The main principle of the treatment of erythema annulare is to stop the action of the factor that provokes the pathology. Depending on the results of the diagnosis, the patient may be prescribed drugs for oral administration:

antibiotics, antivirals for the treatment of infection;
antiallergic and hyposensitizing agents;
cytostatics;
antihelminthic agents;
glucocorticoids.

In addition, external agents may be useful - antihistamine, steroid or zinc-containing ointments to reduce discomfort and reduce symptoms. With erythema annulare, clinical recommendations may include limiting certain foods that cause an allergic reaction: confectionery, mushrooms, nuts, canned food, smoked meats, citrus fruits, etc. You should be prepared for the fact that the treatment process will last several months, as well as the possibility relapses.

Diagnosis and treatment of annular erythema in Moscow

The clinic of JSC "Medicina" conducts effective diagnostics and treatment of erythema annulare in Moscow. We have a powerful laboratory and diagnostic base that allows us to perform the most modern and informative types of analyzes and diagnostic procedures. Consultations are conducted by experienced doctors of the highest category. Make an appointment online or by phone at a convenient time for you.

Questions and answers

Which doctor treats erythema annulare?

If you suspect an annular erythema, you should immediately contact a dermatologist who will conduct an appropriate diagnosis and prescribe treatment based on its results. In the future, you may need to consult an allergist, rheumatologist, oncologist or other specialists, depending on the cause that caused the appearance of red spots on the skin.