Ringworm in Small Children

Ringworm in small children is not actually caused by a worm but by fungi. It is usually spread from other infected children and even from infected cats and dogs. The ringworm fungus affects the skin (tinea corporis); scalp (tinea capitis); feet (tinea pedis, also known as "athlete's foot"); groin (tinea cruris, also known as "jock itch"); and nails (dermatophyte fungus). Small children tend to get ringworm of the skin and scalp infections. The ringworm fungus is highly contagious and is easily spread through contact with infected people, objects that infected people have touched, pets and the soil.

Symptoms

• The ringworm infection of the skin begins as a red sore. As the sore grows, it may become scaly and itchy, and a red ring usually develops around the infected area. Ringworm of the scalp causes lesions similar to ringworm of the skin and will also cause dandruff-like scaling and hair loss in the infected area, resulting in bald spots and patches.

Treatments

• Ringworm of the skin is easily treated with over-the-counter antifungal creams and ointments, but it may take 2 to 4 weeks for the infection to completely heal. Ringworm of the scalp takes longer to clear and is treated with oral antifungal medications such as griseofulvin for 6 to 8 weeks. Antifungal shampoos such as Nizoral (ketoconazole) and shampoos containing selenium sulfide (Selsun) can be used twice a week to speed up the healing process.

Prevention/Solution

• Ringworm is difficult to prevent, but it helps to keep objects shared by children (especially if one child is infected with ringworm) clean and disinfected. Do not allow children so share personal items such as towels, clothing and hairbrushes.

Misconceptions

• Although ringworm of the feet, or athlete's foot, is highly contagious, it is very unlikely to occur in preteen children. If your child develops an itchy red rash on the feet, it may instead be contact dermatitis or juvenile plantar dermatosis and should be diagnosed and treated by your pediatrician.

Considerations

• If your small child has contracted a ringworm infection, minimize that child's contact with others until she is receiving appropriate treatment. Children with ringworm infections are usually able to return to daycare or school once they are being treated. All medication treatments should be completed, even if the infection has seemed to clear.