How to Prevent Skin Ringworm

Teach children cleanliness to prevent ringworm.

Skin ringworm is a fungal infection that develops into an itchy, circular rash with healthy-looking skin in the middle. Although the infection can look like a worm, it has nothing to do with an actual worm. Ringworm of the body, also known as tinea corporis, is very closely related to other infections with similar names and characteristics, including athlete's foot, tinea pedis, and ringworm of the scalp, tine capitis. Prevention of ringworm requires education, cleanliness and treatment from a physician.

Instructions

1. Educate your children, friends and family about the risks of ringworm. Explain that ringworm is highly contagious and that it can be spread even before symptoms are noticeable.

2. Keep all common areas clean in the house and around the community. This includes kitchens, bathrooms, daycare facilities, gyms, locker rooms and school classrooms. Be sure to disinfect surfaces such as gym mats, table tops, sleeping mats and bathroom areas.

3. Avoid sharing clothes, cosmetics, towels and other personal hygiene items with other people.

4. Complete the treatment prescribed by your physician if you become infected with ringworm. It is important to continue with your regimen until it is complete, even if symptoms disappear.

5. Minimize skin contact with others until the infection is treated. This will prevent the spread of the infection to others because ringworm can be spread through simple skin contact.

References

• Directors of Health Promotion and Education: Ringworm
• Mayo Clinic: Ringworm of the Body