How do u get ring worm ? How do you treat it?

Question

my 1 year old has a patch in the back of her hair and i think it is ring worm. Can i use any over the counter stuff to cure it? Or do i have to take her in?

Answer 1

Ringworm of the scalp — This infection, also known as tinea capitis, causes patches of hair loss on the scalp. It is especially common among children aged 3 to 9, particularly children who live in crowded conditions in urban areas. Scalp ringworm spreads on contaminated combs, brushes, hats and pillows, and it may occur in epidemics in schools and day-care centers.



Symptoms can include a diffuse, itchy, scaling of the scalp that resembles dandruff; itchy, scaly, round patches of hair loss on the scalp; black-dot ringworm, in which stubs of broken hairs form a dotted pattern on the scalp; or kerion, a thick, nodular patch of inflamed skin that may ooze pus.



Make an appointment to see your doctor if you have symptoms of ringworm that involve the scalp or beard. For other forms of ringworm, call your doctor to see if you should be seen in the office or if the problem can be treated over the phone.



If you have ringworm of the scalp or beard, your doctor may treat you with an oral antifungal medication, such as itraconazole (Sporanox) or griseofulvin (Grisactin and other brand names). You also will have to apply antifungal creams to your hair and scalp. Complete treatment can take up to two months.

Answer 2

Ring worms are a fungus that you can pick up from being outside or around children or animals. Anti-fungals (like tinactin) treat them in a week or two, but the scar will take a while to disappear. My best friend got one on his leg and you can still see the scar (barely) almost 6 months later. My cat got one and it was healed within a weak (after we started treating it) but the hair took almost a month to grow back.



You should treat them with the best SAFEST anti-fungal you can find. If you want to get something from your doctor that's fine, but there are over the counter things that work great, and they're much cheaper.

Answer 3

Ring worm is not an actual worm. Just so you know that. It's really just an skin irritation usually passed on from animals (especially cats) that carry it already. You can treat it over the counter but may want to take her in just to confirm. (A Black light will confirm though if you have one at home. Ringoworm glows purple dryskin doesn't glow)

Lotrimen (Athletes foot cream/lotion) will clear it up if it is ringworm

Hope I helped.

Answer 4

you can get ring worms fromcontact with somebody that is infected. you can get from some animals too. children play around a lot and they can infect each other. But are you sure it is ring worm? since your baby is still a child it is best you show your doctor to confirm it is ring worm even though over the counter drugs are availble and a cheaper. However you can use any anti fungal cream for it.

Answer 5

Scalp ringworm is caused by Trichophyton or Microsporum, another fungus. Scalp ringworm is highly contagious, especially among children. It may produce a red scaly rash that may be somewhat itchy, or it may produce a patch of hair loss without a rash.



Scalp and nail fungal infections are more serious than other parts of the body, so an OTC anti-fungal cream is probably not going to be the answer. Better consult a doctor.

Answer 6

Ringworm of the head (tinea capitis) is a superficial fungal infection that is most common in children. If this turns out to be tinea capitis, as you've already discovered the infection can lead to hair loss but what you may not know is that it can also open the door for a secondary bacterial infection.



Because hair loss has causes other than tinea, so you would be wise to take her to her Pediatrican for a difinitive diagnosis rather than diagnosing this yourself or allowing anyone here to diagnose for you. Her doctor will advise you of the best course of action to take. In the meantime, avoid prolonged contact with her scalp and wash your hands well after any necessary contact.

Answer 7

It's symptoms can last for weeks and even months if untreated.

Ringworm can spread by contact with objects or surfaces that an infected person or animal has touched, such as clothing, towels, bed linens, combs or brushes.

In some cases, ringworm can be spread to humans by contact with infected soil. Infection would most likely occur only from prolonged contact with highly infected soil.Topical treatment is used for ringworm of the skin, body or feet. It includes over-the-counter antifungal creams and powders, lotions or sprays. I hope it helps.

Answer 8

The patch is to be tested for the presence of fungus. It's always better to go to a doctor than trying your own therapy, because, there are other causes too apart from ring worm for such patches.

Answer 9

Take her to her pediatrician. He will look at it and tell you for sure if it's ringworm or not and prescribe a cream to put on it. Ringworm is a fungal infection and can be picked up almost anywhere, even from some animals.

Answer 10

Hey! I don't think its ring worm. It's just the child lost hair in that part because of sleeping in the same position always. Hair will grow if u change the sleeping position or after few days.