Ringworm

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Does this describe your child's symptoms?

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Symptoms

Cause

A fungus infection of the skin often transmitted from puppies or kittens who have it.
Less commonly transmitted human-to-human because if requires direct skin contact. An exception is that an epidemic from ringworm can occur among wrestlers because of close body contact during matches.
Occasionally transmitted from fungus in the soil.

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	Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9 am and 4 pm) If
	Pus is draining from the rash
	Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If
	You think your child needs to be seen Scalp is involved More than 3 spots are present Teen is a wrestler Rash continues to spread after 1 week on treatment Rash lasts longer than 4 weeks You have other questions or concerns
	Parent Care at Home If
	Mild ringworm and you don't think your child needs to be seen

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Antifungal Cream:
- Use Lamisil, Micatin or Lotrimin cream (no prescription needed) 2 times per day.
- Apply it to the rash and 1 inch (2.5 cm) beyond its borders.
- Continue the cream for at least 7 days after the rash is cleared.
Contagiousness:
- Your child doesn't have to miss any child care or school for ringworm.
- Ringworm of the skin is mildly contagious. It requires direct skin-to-skin contact.
- The type acquired from pets is not transmitted from human to human, only from animal to human.
- After 48 hours of treatment, ringworm is not contagious at all.
- Wrestlers, however, should avoid all wrestling until evaluated by your child's doctor.
Expected Course: It clears completely in 3 to 4 weeks. For any recurrences, suspect the household puppy or kitten and take it to the vet for diagnosis and treatment.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Rash continues to spread after 1 week on treatment
- Rash is not cleared by 4 weeks
- Your child becomes worse

Updated:

March 22, 2017