The thought of living with someone infected with ringworm is not pleasant. Ringworm is a skin infection that causes scaly, ring-like patches of skin on various parts of the body. Although there is no worm involved as the name implies, the condition is still not what most people want to experience. However, doctors estimate 20 percent of people experience ringworm at some point in their lives, according to Aetna Intelihealth. Many others will live with a person with ringworm. Knowing what to do, and what not to do, can help people living with ringworm sufferers avoid getting ringworm themselves.
Step 1
Show sensitivity about the situation. The person infected with ringworm may feel ashamed or embarrassed about her condition, so do what you can to help the person feel better. Discuss the situation in a straightforward, matter-of-fact manner. Keep blame and judgmental comments to yourself. In addition, refrain from making jokes at her expense.
Step 2
Clean shared living spaces frequently. Examples of shared living spaces to clean include showers, toilets, floors, furniture and counter tops. Using bleach or anti-fungal cleaners can effectively kill ringworm fungus, but old-fashioned soap and water can also work well. Thoroughly dry the space after cleaning.
Step 3
Avoid using items that the person infected with ringworm used. Do not share personal items like sheets, bedding, pillowcases, towels, washcloths, hairbrushes, combs, makeup brushes, clothes, socks and shoes if possible. Thoroughly clean, sanitize and dry each item you have to share before using it yourself.
Step 4
Clean yourself frequently. Frequently wash all areas of your skin and hair, taking care to keep certain areas of the body particularly clean. These include the warm, moist areas of the body where ringworm thrives, like underneath the breasts, in the groin area, between fat rolls and between your toes, explains Aetna Intelihealth.
Step 5
Keep dry. Many people understand that washing can prevent the spread of ringworm, but do not realize keeping themselves and their surroundings dry is equally important. The fungus that causes ringworm thrives in moist places, so reducing moisture on the skin will help prevent the spread of this fungus.
Step 6
Avoid direct contact with the person if possible. Specifically avoid touching the infected part of the person's body, if possible. If direct contact is unavoidable, thoroughly wash and dry all areas of your body that touched the person afterward.
Step 7
Communicate with the infected person about treatment. If he is unsure of how to treat the ringworm, point him in the direction of over-the-counter medications first. Some examples of over-the-counter medications that may help include the medications tolnaftate and clotrimazole. If the ringworm doesn't improve after using these medications, prescription medication may be necessary. These include the medications butenafine, itraconazole, fluconazole, ciclopirox, econazole, oxiconazole and ketoconazole, explains the Mayo Clinic. Ask the person to keep you updated about his treatment and to let you know when the ringworm disappears.
Tips and Warnings
- Encourage the person with ringworm to see a doctor if the ringworm does not go away after four weeks of self-treatment, suggests Medline Plus.
