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Ringworm

Dermatophytosis (Latin name)

By Bjarne Lühr Hansen PhD, MD and Philipp Skafte-Holm MD, Mentor Institute

Ringworm is an infection in the skin caused by fungi. Ringworm, usually, does not bother a child. The illness is contagious. One or two ringworms can be treated with a fungicide that can be bought over the counter. In the case of a lot of ringworm the child should be examined by a doctor and treated with tablets.

Ringworm is a common fungal infection. Many children will – at one time or another – experience a ring-shaped rash on the skin. The far most common cause of such a rash is a fungal infection. However, it is important to know that a tick bite can develop into a ring-shaped rash.

A child can become infected with fungi from animals or from people. Three different kinds of fungi can cause ringworm. Two of the fungi use man as a host, which means that the fungus lives on and are transferred from human to the child. The third fungus uses animals as a host, which means that the fungus lives on and is transferred from animal to child.

The ringworm starts as a little spot only a few millimetres wide. It spreads and becomes centimetre-wide round spots with a red and scaly edge. Sometimes the centre of the spots clears up and seems pale next to the red edge; it looks like a ‘fairy ring’ like the ones that appear on a lawn. There may appear multiple ringworms next to each other that grow into each other forming patterns resembling the symbol of the Olympics.

Ringworm, usually, does not bother a child, although light itching may arise.

Click here to read about how you evaluate your child

Contamination

Ringworm is highly contagious. The fungi can be transferred from animal to child by touch – for example when a child pets an animal. The most frequent way of infection is, however, from another human to the child, which can happen by touch or sharing a towel.

It is recommended to wash your hands after direct contact with the ringworm.

Day Care:

A child with ringworm can attend day care.

Medication

If the child has a single or just two ringworms it can easily be treated with a fungicide that can be bought over the counter. In the case of a lot of ringworm the child should be treated with tablets the doctor prescribes.

What can you do?

The child is rubbed with fungicide following the directions of the pharmacy. It is a good idea to examine the animals the child has been petting. It can be a cat, a dog, a horse or a rabbit. The animal is examined for ringworm by stroking it against the fur while looking for spots. If there are spots in the fur of the animal, it should be treated by a veterinarian.

Contact the doctor tomorrow

If, in spite of your treatment, the ringworm spreads. If there are more than two ringworm. If you are unsure of what causes the ring-shaped rash.

Contact the doctor immediately

This is never necessary.