What is ringworm (tinea infection)?
Ringworm is a type of skin infection caused by a fungus. It looks like a red skin rash that forms a ring around normal-looking skin. There are several types of ringworm. You can get ringworm of the skin, scalp, or nails. Athlete's foot and jock itch are types of ringworm infections.
What causes ringworm in a child?
A ringworm infection is not caused by an actual worm. It is caused by fungi on the skin, hair, and nails called dermatophytes. Different types of dermatophytes affect different parts of the body.
Which children are at risk for ringworm?
Children may be at risk for ringworm if they:
- Use shared bathrooms or locker rooms.
- Play contact sports, such as wrestling.
- Live in a warm climate.
- Have contact with other children or pets that have ringworm.
- Have a weak immune system because of illness or medicines.
- Have poor hygiene.
- Are malnourished.
What are the symptoms of ringworm in a child?
The symptoms of ringworm vary depending on which part of the body is affected. The most common types of ringworm are listed below.
Body ringworm:
Body ringworm is a ring-like rash that can appear anywhere on the body or face. It happens in people of all ages, but it is more common in children. It is also more common in warmer climates. The symptoms may include:
- A red, ring-like rash with raised edges. The middle of the rash may become less red as the lesion grows.
- Itching of the affected area.
Ringworm may look like many skin problems. Make sure your child sees their doctor for a diagnosis.
Athlete's Foot:
Athlete's foot is ringworm on the feet. It's more common in teenage boys and men. It usually doesn’t affect children before puberty. Things such as sweating, not drying the feet well after swimming or bathing, wearing tight socks and shoes, and warm weather can lead to this problem. Symptoms may include:
- Whitening of the skin between the toes.
- Scaly skin on the feet.
- Itchy rash on the feet.
- Blisters on the feet.
Jock Itch:
Jock itch is ringworm in the groin area. It's more common in males. And it happens more often during warm weather. It is very rare in females. Symptoms of jock itch may include:
- Red, ring-like patches in the groin area.
- Itching in the groin area.
- Pain in the groin area.
It does not often involve the scrotum.
Scalp Ringworm:
Scalp ringworm spreads easily from person to person, especially among children. It happens mainly in children between ages two and ten. It rarely happens in adults. Symptoms may include:
- Red, scaly rash on the scalp.
- Itchy scalp.
- Hair loss on the scalp.
- Rash elsewhere on the body.
Bad cases of ringworm of the scalp can also develop into a kerion. A kerion is a thick, pus-filled area on the scalp. It can also cause a fever. This can be caused by an overly active response of the immune system or an allergic reaction to the fungus. It may cause a rash elsewhere on the body and tender lymph nodes in the neck.
Nail Infection:
This type of ringworm causes the nails to become thickened and deformed. This problem affects the toenails more often than the fingernails. It happens more often in teens and adults rather than young children. Symptoms may include thickening of the ends of the nails and yellowing of the nails.
How is ringworm diagnosed?
Ringworm is often diagnosed based on a health history and physical exam of your child. Your child's doctor may also do a culture or skin scraping of the rash to be sure that it's ringworm.
How is ringworm treated in a child?
Treatment will depend on your child’s symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on the location and how severe the condition is. Fungi can live a long time on the skin, so ringworm is likely to come back. Treatment may need to be repeated.
Treatment for ringworm of the body, groin, or foot is often an antifungal cream or pill taken by mouth. The length of the treatment depends on the location of the ringworm.
Treatment for scalp ringworm may include:
- Antifungal medicine taken by mouth for one to three months. Some children may need longer treatment. Creams, lotions and powders do not work on scalp ringworm.
- Special shampoo to help get rid of the fungus. Shampoos can't replace the oral medicine. But you can use shampoo in addition to them.
If your child has a kerion or a bacterial infection, they may also need steroids or other medicines.
Ringworm of the nails can be hard to cure. It is often treated with antifungal medicine taken by mouth for many months.
Good handwashing is critical to managing ringworm. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds before and after treating your child's ringworm. Use soap and clean, running water. Also, teach your child how and when to wash their hands.
If your child got ringworm from an animal, the animal will need treatment too.
What are possible complications of ringworm in a child?
Ringworm rarely has serious complications.
What can I do to prevent ringworm in my child?
Ringworm can be prevented by:
- Having good hygiene
- Frequent handwashing
- Not wearing other people's hats or clothing
- Keeping feet dry
- Staying away from someone who has ringworm
When should I call my child's healthcare provider?
Contact your child's doctor if:
- You are unsure if your child has ringworm.
- You think your child has ringworm of the scalp or nails. The medicine for these must be prescribed by a doctor.
- Your child has a weakened immune system and may have ringworm.
