Does Anyone Know Anything About Ringworm?

T., I don't know exactly what causes ringworm, but I do know that it is a fungus and is fairly contagious. Most of the time, kids get it from contact with other kids who have it. Boys can also get it from getting their hair cut with tools that have not been properly sanitized. As for as how you are treating it, if it is someplace other than in the scalp, you can treat it with antifungals (athlete's foot creams). However, if it is in the scalp, you need to take him to the doctor. He will need to go on an oral medication (for about 2 months). If this doesn't happen, it will leave a circular scar in his scalp where hair will never grow.

I don't know what causes it, but Selsun Blue will clear it up.

I am a veterinarian and ringworm can be spread by animals usually cats, rarely dogs. But, the most common place kids get it is from the environment. Usually from a stray cat in the area that likes to spend time where your child is. If a cat has ringworm and sleeps on the swingset your child could get it. It is actually a fungus, not a worm and it can stay in the environment for a while! Also, some people are just more prone to getting ringworm than others. I have been around many animals with ringworm and never had it. When he does get it wash everything he wears and bedding very well and always have him wash his hands alot.

Ringworm is caused by a fungus that grows on the skin. Once the fungus is established, it spreads out in rings. The center of the ring may clear up, while a new ring of infection develops at the edge of the old ring.

Children are most likely to get ringworm. Ringworm of the scalp can spread from child to child when children share hats, combs, or brushes. Ringworm of the body can be spread on towels, clothing, or sports equipment. Personal hygiene is important in preventing the spread of ringworm. Dogs and cats can be infected with ringworm, too, and they can pass it to people through direct contact.

Hi T.,

Ringworm gets its name from the appearance of the rash not because of the cause. There are NO worms involved! It is actually a fungal infection related to athletes's foot, women's vaginal yeast and "jock-itch". That is why anti-fungal creams work best. When I talk with parents as a Pedi RN I always tell them to treat the area for a week after the actual rash has disappeared as it can live under the skin.
Do you have pets? You may want to give your vet a call as this is one fungi that can pass between people and pets.
Here is a great article: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001439.htm

D.

When I worked in the public schools, I had children who contracted ringworm. I remember they were given medication (oral) to clear it up. You might want to consider contacting your pediatrician. I know the children I worked with took a prescriptive medication.

Good luck!
S.

I've always heard it is most easily passed between pets and humans. You may want to have any pets checked out by the vet.

Any pets? The fungus can be carried on animal fur.

He either has a friend who has it that he's getting it from, or a cat that he's playing with.

The Dr. confirms the ringworm using a blacklight. This is especially true for animals since it can't be seen as well as on humans. So if you suspect an animal (pet maybe), get it treated. Oh, also, pets can get ringworm from humans too, they will just pass it back and forth if it isn't cleared up.

my son had ringworm a few times. i took him to the pediatrician and they put him on some medication. he had to take it for a long time but it worked. i think it was called griseofluvin. i think thats the way to spell it. anyway besides that my pediatrician told me to wash my son's hair with medicated selsun blue to prevent furthur itching. it worked really well. good luck. let me know what you decide to do.

As a teacher, I've gotten it from my students. It a fungal infection. Ask his teacher if anyone else in the class has had it.

Gardeners often get ringworm, because it lives in the soil. It is found everywhere. Pets can get it repeatedly if there is a hotbed of it in their yard. It occurs more often when it has rained, because fungus loves hot and humid weather. You would be smart to have your vet check your pets over just to make sure they don't have any overt lesions. Sometimes animals will fluoresce with ultraviolet light (a positive indication of ringworm), but sometimes they don't. There is more than one type of ringworm, and not all of them fluoresce. Some people are prone to contracting ringworm (just like poison ivy), and some people seem to be resistant to it. People and animals can definately pass it back and forth. I would definately consult your pediatrician about this as well. Good luck. -Jo

Well, I used to get ringworms all of the time and if you're area is not sterilized well they will keep reappearing. Make sure his sheets and everything are clean that he doesn't scratch to spread it. I don't know if that is of any help but I know what it's like to deal with ringworm. Do you all have pets?

I used to get ringworm as a child from chalk. I'm not sure why. Many of the children in my school would get them also. I thought only African Americans caught ringworm because that's all I've ever seen with them and I'm African American also. Back then, we used Blue Star ointment. My daughter got one on her thigh and the pharmacist said to use Lamisil cream. It cleared up in about 2 weeks. They are very contagious and most schools/daycares want the infected child out for a few days which was a big hassle for me since I work full time. I tried to send her with a band-aid on it as well as long pants and she told her teacher that the band-aid hurt. The teacher took it off and got got a prompt phone call to come pick her up immediately. So don't try to trick the daycare like I did...