Many children get ringworm, and if your child ends up with the rash, it does not mean you are a neglectful parent. Bathing alone will not prevent it. The rash is caused by fungi, not a worm, and it passes from child to child through direct skin contact, especially close contact at places such as public swimming pools or daycare centers.
Ringworm is a skin rash that looks like a raised and red circular ring on the face or body. Usually the edges are raised and the center of the ring is clear or a little scaly. It starts out small and then progressively grows over time. Itchiness is common, so if your child starts scratching at one particular area and you see something red, determine if it's ringworm.
People of all ages get ringworm, which is like athlete’s foot or jock itch but on a different location of the body. Some people are affected by multiple types of these common fungal infections at the same time. Properly cleaning athletic equipment or sportswear and wearing shoes in public showers will help prevent transmission. Products with bleach are very helpful in killing the fungus from shared surfaces.
Human skin is very protective, but keeping it healthy and intact helps naturally block infections from starting. Even a small scratch can let fungi enter the skin and begin forming the ringworm rash.
Ringworm will not go away by itself. It needs to be treated with an antifungal cream, which can be obtained through a prescription or over-the-counter. The smaller the ring and the earlier you start treatment, the faster you can get rid of it. If there are lots of rings on the body and some are very big, the doctor may prescribe an oral medicine to use for 4 to 6 weeks. If you are treating your child’s rash by yourself and it doesn't go away or improve significantly within a couple of weeks, call your pediatrician.
Ringworm
Jul 16, 2009 | By
