Ringworm: what is it, and how do you treat it?

Ringworm is a scary sounding skin condition that appears in children most often. Fortunately, it has nothing to do with worms. Ringworm is actually a fungal infection that appears as red round spots on the skin, on the legs, arms, abdomen. What do you do if you notice a round skin rash on your child's skin?

The fungus that results in ringworm lives on the top layer of the skin, and can also appear in the hair. You usually get it off animals, but it can also be spread from person to person. Children are more likely to get it than adults, presumably because they tend to have closer contact with animals and lots of other children. But animal care professionals are also prone to ringworm.

While ringworm doesn't have anything to do with worms, it does normally look like rings. There are some exceptions where there is just a red rash, but ringworm is also often very itchy. Ringworm can diagnosed by looking at some of the skin where the rash is under a microscope, but round, dry and itchy rings are so likely to be ringworm that this is hardly necessary.

How do you treat ringworm?

Ringworm is fairly easily treated, and you can even buy creams for this fungal infection over the counter. Of course, it's also fine to see your doctor about the rash before using a cream. In either case, the instructions of the cream should be followed and you should also take care to avoid chances for reinfection. That means washing clothes and bedding thoroughly and also showering the child twice a day and making sure that their skin is completely dry afterward. If you have pets, check them for signs of ringworm too and treat them at the same time if necessary.