How do you treat ringworm on a child

Ringworm (for Parents) - Nemours KidsHealth

What Is Ringworm?

Ringworm is a type of fungal skin infection. Fungi (the plural of fungus) are microscopic plant-like organisms that thrive in damp, warm environments. They're usually not dangerous, but sometimes can cause disease. When they infect the skin, they cause mild but annoying rashes. Fungal skin infections are also known as tinea infections.

When fungus grows in the area of the groin, upper thighs, and buttocks, it is called jock itch. When it grows on the feet, it is called athlete's foot.

But when fungus grows anywhere else on the body, it's known as ringworm. Its medical name is tinea capitis when it's on the scalp, and tinea corporis when it's on the rest of the body. On the nails it is known as onychomycosis.

What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Ringworm?

Ringworm on the skin starts as a red, scaly patch or bump. Over time, it may look like one or more rings with raised, bumpy, scaly borders (the center is often clear). This ring pattern gave ringworm its name, but not every infected person has it. The skin may flake, peel, or crack, and it can itch, sting, burn, or feel uncomfortable.

Ringworm on the scalp may start as a small sore that looks like a pimple before becoming patchy, flaky, or scaly. These flakes may look like dandruff. It can make some hair fall out or break into stubble, leaving a bald spot. It also can make the scalp swollen, tender, and red.

Sometimes, it causes a pus-filled mass known as a kerion, which can be confused with impetigo or cellulitis (bacterial infections). When the scalp is infected, it can cause swollen lymph nodes at the back of the head or neck.

Ringworm on the nails may affect one or more nails on the hands or feet. The nails may become thick, white or yellowish, and brittle.

What Causes Ringworm?

Ringworm is caused by fungi that normally live on the skin, hair, and nails called dermatophytes. When the environment they live in gets warm and moist, they grow out of control and start to cause symptoms.

Is Ringworm Contagious?

Yes. Ringworm can spread:

from one person to another by skin-to-skin contact, especially in warm, damp environments
to other areas of the body if a person touches the affected area and then touches other body parts, such as the hands
from animals to people

How Do People Get Ringworm?

Besides spreading from person to person, ringworm can come from pets or other animals (usually cats, dogs, or rodents). It thrives in warm, moist environments such as public showers, locker rooms, or pool areas and can spread when people are in close physical contact. That's why it's common in people who play contact sports such as wrestling. It can also be passed on objects like combs, brushes, hats, towels, or clothing.

Minor skin injuries (such as scratches), too much exposure to heat and humidity, and some health conditions (such as diabetes, obesity, or immune system problems) can make a person more likely to develop it.

How Is Ringworm Diagnosed?

A doctor can often diagnose ringworm just by looking at it and asking questions about the symptoms and the child's lifestyle. Sometimes the doctor will scrape off a small sample of the flaky infected skin to look at under a microscope or to test in a laboratory.

How Is Ringworm Treated?

Using over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal creams, sprays, or powders may solve a mild infection. More serious infections may need prescription medicine, either topical (put on skin) or in pill/syrup form.

Ringworm on the nails or scalp usually is treated with medicine taken by mouth for 1 to 3 months. An antifungal shampoo prescribed by the doctor can help prevent the spread to other people.

Your child should use the medicine as long as is recommended, even if the rash seems to be getting better. If not, the infection can come back and spread to other parts of the body.

To help heal the skin, it's important to keep the affected area clean and dry. Your child should:

Wash and then dry the area with a clean towel. (A separate clean towel should be used for the rest of the body.)
Apply the antifungal cream, powder, or spray as directed on the label.
Change clothing every day.
Treat any other fungal infections, such as athlete's foot.

How Long Does Ringworm Last?

Most mild cases of ringworm usually clear up in 2 to 4 weeks. But treatment might be needed for up to 3 months if the infection is more serious, or affects the nails or the scalp.

Can Ringworm Be Prevented?

Ringworm can often be prevented. To avoid it, kids and teens should:

Keep their skin clean and dry, by washing daily and drying completely, particularly after showering, swimming, and sweaty activities.
Use clean towels and avoid sharing clothing, towels, combs, brushes, and hats.
Wash sports gear and uniforms as often as possible and don't share them.
Avoid tight-fitting clothing.
Change clothing every day.
Wash hands well with soap and water after playing with pets.
Treat any other fungal infections, such as athlete's foot.

Reviewed by: Michelle P. Tellado, MD

Date reviewed: September 2019

Ringworm in Children

What is ringworm in children?

Ringworm is a type of skin infection caused by a fungus. It looks like a red skin rash that forms a ring around normal-looking skin. There are several types of ringworm.

What causes ringworm in a child?

A ringworm infection is not caused by an actual worm. It is caused by fungi on the skin, hair, and nailbeds called dermatophytes. Different types of dermatophytes affect different parts of the body. They cause different types of symptoms.

Which children are at risk for ringworm?

Children may be at risk for ringworm if they:

Use shared bathrooms or locker rooms
Play contact sports, such as wrestling
Live in a warm climate
Have contact with other children or pets that have ringworm
Have a weak immune system because of illness or medicines
Have poor hygiene
Are malnourished

What are the symptoms of ringworm in a child?

The symptoms of ringworm vary depending on which part of the body is affected. The most common types of ringworm are listed below.

Athlete's foot

This problem mostly affects teenage boys and men. It usually doesn’t affect children before puberty. Things such as sweating, not drying the feet well after swimming or bathing, wearing tight socks and shoes, and warm weather can play a part in this problem. Symptoms may include:

Whitening of the skin between the toes
Scaling of the feet
Itchy rash on the feet
Blisters on the feet

Jock itch

This problem is also more common in males. It happens more often during warm weather. It is very rare in females. Symptoms of jock itch may include:

Red, ring-like patches in the groin area
Itching in the groin area
Pain in the groin area

It does not usually involve the scrotum.

Scalp ringworm

Scalp ringworm is highly contagious, especially among children. It happens mainly in children between ages 2 and 10. It rarely happens in adults. Symptoms may include:

Red, scaly rash on the scalp
Itchy scalp
Hair loss on the scalp
Rash elsewhere on the body

Bad cases of ringworm of the scalp can also develop into a kerion. A kerion is a thick, pus-filled area on the scalp. It can also cause a fever. This can be caused by an overly active response of the immune system or an allergic reaction to the fungus. It may cause a rash elsewhere on the body and tender lymph nodes in the neck.

Nail infection

This type of ringworm causes the nails to become thickened and deformed. This problem affects the toenails more often than the fingernails. It happens more often in adolescents and adults rather than young children. Symptoms may include thickening of the ends of the nails and yellowing of the nails.

Body ringworm

This skin infection is a ring-like rash that appears anywhere on the body or face. It happens in people of all ages, but it is more common in children. It is also more common in warmer climates. The symptoms may include:

Red, ring-like rash with raised edges
The middle of the rash may become less red as the lesion grows
Itching of the affected area

Ringworm may look like many skin problems. Make sure your child sees their healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

How is ringworm diagnosed in a child?

Ringworm is usually diagnosed based on a health history and physical exam of your child. The ringworm rash is unique. This makes it easy to diagnose with a physical exam. In addition, your child's healthcare provider may order a culture or skin scraping of the rash to confirm the diagnosis.

How is ringworm treated in a child?

Fungi can live indefinitely on the skin, so ringworm is likely to come back. Treatment may need to be repeated. Treatment will depend on your child’s symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is. Treatment for scalp ringworm may include:

Antifungal medicine taken by mouth for 4 to 8 weeks. Some children may need longer treatment.
Special shampoo to help get rid of the fungus. Shampoos can't replace the oral medicine, but you can use shampoo in addition to them.

If your child has a kerion or a secondary sore (abscess) or bacterial infection, the healthcare provider may order additional medicines to help reduce the swelling. These may include steroids.

Treatment for ringworm of the body, groin, and foot is usually an antifungal cream or pill to take by mouth. The length of the treatment depends on the location of the ringworm.

Ringworm of the nails can be difficult to cure. It is usually treated with antifungal medicine taken by mouth.

Good handwashing is critical to managing ringworm. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds before and after treating your child's ringworm. Teach your child how and when to wash their hands as well.

If the ringworm is from an animal, it will need treatment too.

What are possible complications of ringworm in a child?

Ringworm rarely has serious complications.

What can I do to prevent ringworm in my child?

Ringworm can be prevented by:

Having good hygiene
Frequent handwashing
Not wearing other people's hats or clothing
Keeping feet dry
Staying away from someone who has ringworm

When should I call my child's healthcare provider?

Most types of ringworm can be treated with over-the-counter medicines. But ringworm of the scalp and nails requires taking an antifungal medicine by mouth. This medicine must be prescribed by your healthcare provider. If you are unsure if your child has ringworm or if your child has a weakened immune system, call your child's healthcare provider.

Key points about ringworm in children

Ringworm is a type of skin infection. It looks like a red skin rash that forms a ring around normal-looking skin.
Ringworm infection is not caused by an actual worm but by fungi on the skin, hair, and nail beds.
The symptoms of ringworm vary depending on the type of fungus and which part of the body is affected. Most cause itching.
Ringworm is usually diagnosed based on a health history and physical exam of your child.
Most ringworm infections are treated with medicines that you apply to the skin. But ringworm of the scalp and nails requires a prescribed antifungal medicine that your child takes by mouth.
It's important to wash your hands before and after treating ringworm.
If the ringworm is from an animal, it will need treatment too.

Next steps

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your child’s healthcare provider:

Know the reason for the visit and what you want to happen.
Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you for your child.
Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed and how it will help your child. Also know what the side effects are.
Ask if your child’s condition can be treated in other ways.
Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
Know what to expect if your child does not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.
If your child has a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.
Know how you can contact your child’s provider after office hours. This is important if your child becomes ill and you have questions or need advice.

Lichen in children - symptoms, causes, signs, types, methods of diagnosis and treatment of childhood lichen in the "SM-Clinic" for children and adolescents

The clinic of the disease directly depends on its form. There are five most common types of lichen, each of which causes its own signs in a child:

pink;
multi-colored;
red flat;
ringworm;
shingles.

Pityriasis rosea. It is characterized by the appearance on the skin of a child of a single pink plaque, not exceeding a diameter of 3-4 cm. The formation is prone to peeling, provokes moderate itching. A week after the appearance of the first plaque, multiple child rashes form on the body, localizing mainly on the natural folds and curves of the back, shoulders and abdomen.

versicolor. It appears, as a rule, on the scalp or other areas of the upper half of the body of the baby, affecting only the upper layer of the epidermis. At the very beginning of the disease, lichen can be suspected by small spots of pink, yellow or brownish color. As the pathology develops, the rashes gradually grow, forming large foci with jagged edges. It is not in vain that versicolor versicolor received such a name: during the acute period, focal spots can repeatedly change color, becoming either pink, or dark brown, or brown. An additional feature of this form of the disease was the absence of any discomfort: the child does not feel itching, burning or pain in the lichen area and often does not even suspect its existence if the spot is out of sight.

Lichen planus. It is characterized by the formation of scaly elements of bright red or dark brown color on the mucous membranes and skin. Pathology is accompanied by specific depressions in the middle of each spot and severe itching, which significantly reduces the quality of life of the child and causes severe inconvenience. Elements in most cases are localized in the area of natural folds, as well as on the back and abdomen. After recovery, age spots may persist for a long time in the area of former rashes.

Ringworm. Considered the most common form of focal disease in children and adolescents. Pathology develops on the skin, nails, scalp and even on the hair itself. Accompanied by the formation of reddish spots of a rounded shape, which are constantly flaky and cause intense itching. Damage to the skin on the head leads to partial baldness: a focus is formed around the lichen, on which the hair spontaneously breaks off at a level of 0.5-1 cm from the dermis. It seems that someone recently cut the child extremely inaccurately, which is the reason for the name of the disease. In some cases, in addition to the main focus, multiple, but small areas of additional damage may occur.

Shingles. This variant of the pathology mainly occurs in adolescents who have previously had chicken pox. First, even before the appearance of loose elements of lichen, the child develops symptoms similar to SARS (subfebrile body temperature, weakness, chills, increased drowsiness), and after a few days, multiple rashes form on the skin in the area where large nerve trunks and branches pass. Each vial contains a clear liquid. Gradually, the rashes dry up, darken, crust, and then disappear.

Pink lichen in a child: symptoms, diagnosis, treatment

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