How to Identify Ringworm in Children
Ringworm, referred to medically as tinea, is caused by a fungal infection. According to "It's a Mom's World," 20 percent of people will have ringworm at a given time and ringworm is more prevalent among children--even more so in boys than girls. Ringworm infections are more frequent in children who live in warm climates and who come in contact with other infected children or infected pets. Outbreaks are common among children in day-care centers, nurseries and schools. If you suspect your child is infected, identifying ringworm is relatively simple.
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Instructions
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Look for a small, round patch on your child's skin. The lesion will be scaly and itchy.
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Check the lesion for the appearance of healthy skin inside a circle. Ringworm heals from the inside out, causing the ring-like appearance.
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Observe the lesion for the appearance of a rash and/or flaky skin.
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Ask the child if the lesion is dry, itchy or burning. These are all symptoms of ringworm.
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Examine your child's scalp. Ringworm of the scalp is common in children ages 2 to 10. Look for a red, scaly rash and hair loss. The scalp will be itchy.
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Expose the lesion to ultraviolet light. If the lesion glows, your child likely has ringworm. However, there are types of ringworm that do not glow when exposed to ultraviolet light.
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Tips & Warnings
While it's best to have the ringworm diagnosis confirmed by a physician, over-the-counter antifungal medications usually are effective in treating the fungal infection.
Ringworm of the body is called tinea corporis. Athlete's foot, tinea pedis, is ringworm on the feet. Tinea cruris, known commonly as jock itch, occurs in the groin area. Ringworm also occurs in the scalp, tinea capitis, and nails, tinea uguium. Ringworm of the body and scalp are the most common forms in children.
Ringworm is contagious. It's important that you not allow your infected child to come in direct skin-to-skin contact with other members of the home--including pets. It's also important that everyone in the home who may have the infection--including dogs and cats -- be treated at the same time. This will prevent re-infection.
