Common among both preschool and school-aged children, ringworm is a fungal infection that affects the skin. Extremely contagious, ringworm can spread quickly through schools and homes where children come in close contact with each other and with items that may be contaminated. If you notice a ring-like, reddened, scaly patch on your child's skin, it may be ringworm. Fortunately, this illness is fairly easy to diagnose and treat.
Cause
Ringworm is not actually a worm. It is the result of an infection by any of a group of mold-like fungi, known as tinea. Tinea is very contagious and is usually spread by either direct contact with another person who is infected, or by touching an item that an infected person has recently used.
Areas Affected
Tinea can affect different areas of the body. Infections of the skin or scalp are commonly called body ringworm or scalp ringworm. Infection around the groin results in jock itch, while tinea of the feet is referred to as athlete's foot. Tinea can even infect the fingernails, which, in children, usually occurs from scratching itchy, infected areas.
Signs and Symptoms
KidsHealth from the Nemours Foundation describes ringworm as beginning with a red and scaly patch or bump on the skin or scalp of a child. The patch usually itches, often intensely, and your child may scratch at it continually, making the irritation worse and inadvertently spreading the infection. The infection usually manifests as a reddish, raised, scaly patch that may blister or ooze. The reddened patches often have normal-colored skin in the middle, which produces the characteristic, ring-shaped lesions typical of the illness.
Diagnosis
If you find a reddened patch on your child's skin and suspect that it may be ringworm, consult your pediatrician and make an appointment to have your child examined. During the examination, your doctor will take a small scraping of the lesion to test to determine the cause. The process is painless to your child. If the patch is caused by tinea, your doctor will prescribe a treatment.
Treatment
If ringworm is ruled as the cause of your child's skin problem, your doctor most likely will prescribe a topical anti-fungal cream or lotion for ringworm of the skin, according to MayoClinic.com. Apply this treatment directly to the affected area as directed by your doctor. Scalp or fingernail infections may prove more difficult to eradicate. For this type of infection, your doctor may prescribe an oral anti-fungal medication for your child. Hydrocortisone-based creams and lotions can also help to reduce the itching.
Prevention
Because ringworm is so contagious, the spread of infection is often difficult to prevent. Treat the infection with medication as directed by your doctor and complete the course of treatment. Until the infection is completely gone, limit contact of your child with others. Disinfecting sleeping mats, gym mats, toys and other objects that children share can help reduce the risk of any spread. Do not allow uninfected children to use the clothing, towels, brushes or other personal items of an infected child.
