Ringworm is a fungal infection that can affect the scalp, skin or nails of your child. There is no actual "worm" involved in this type of infection. The condition gets its name from the sometimes ring-like appearance of the infection sites on the skin or scalp. Ringworm is caused by one simple thing: exposure to the fungus.
Person-to-Person Contact
Children can contract the ringworm fungus from direct skin-to-skin contact with another child who carries the infection. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, scalp ringworm is the most common type of ringworm among school-age children. It is not unusual for an outbreak to occur in daycares or nurseries. Fortunately, ringworm is treatable with either a topical cream or an antifungal oral medication.
Pets
Ringworm is a zoonotic disease, which means it can be transferred from animals to humans. If your dog or cat is showing signs of skin irritation or hair loss, a visit to your veterinarian will determine if it is caused by ringworm.
The CDC suggests that once your pet is undergoing treatment approved by a veterinarian, you should clean and disinfect the surfaces of your home where your pet spends time. This includes washing pet bedding in hot water and drying in a high heat dryer in order to kill fungal spores.
Shared Personal Items and Places
The NYU Langone Medical Center states that ringworm can also be passed between children who share hats, combs and hairbrushes. Discourage your child from sharing personal hair care items at school or daycare.
MedlinePlus, an informational website run by the National Institutes of Health, suggests sandals or shoes be worn while your child spends time at a pool, gym or locker room. Ringworm can picked up from the warm, damp floor surfaces of these places.
