Discouraged Mommy

Keely - posted on 12/22/2008

Thankfully it is only on his torso and legs, not his head. *sign of relief* My mom has an aloe vera plant, ill see if she will let me borrow it, lol. I do have alot of olive oil and have been using the athletes foot cream at least 2 times daily in addition to the bentonite and baking soda baths. The orginal ones are clearing up, but more spots have shown up today. *frusteration* Until then i will continue to use your wonderful suggestions and wash blankets and clean house daily. Thanks so much for all the help!

Amber - posted on 12/22/2008

My daughter had ringworm on her head last year. The doc had us alternate using anti-fungul cream (for athletes foot) and olive oil. Since ringworm was just the top layer of the skin we would get cotton balls and put warm olive oil and rub it on her head. It would come right off.

Priscilla - posted on 12/22/2008

My son got ringworm after swimming in a hotel pool, the only thing that worked for me was to split open piece of an aloe vera plant and place it over the ringworm and bandage it overnight, changing it morning and evening. hope it helps

Keely - posted on 12/22/2008

i got rid of the kitty, sadly. But she is in a better home now and i dont have to worry ! i have found that putting bentonite on his body is working wonders!! It dries the ringwormsout and pulls the toxins that cause it and the rash. So far so good he has greatly improved and it will hopefull be completely gone with in the week. *fingers crossed* i have been praying hard. thanks again for everything!

Mandy - posted on 12/21/2008

Glad he doing better! It's good to clean but just something I learned ringworm can be carried by any animal (including humans) with no symptoms and then spread to others who will get the "ring". When my son first got it we had no idea where it came from until our cat had kittens and one of them got it. Now our cat stay's outside because we know she is a carrier. She has never showed any sign. I know it's not a fun thing to deal with. Hope yours goes away and stays away.

Keely - posted on 12/19/2008

I have done ALOT of research and have been using athletes foot cream on him, also tried bleach a few times, but his skin is sensitave. Then last night he developed a rash all over on top of the ringworms. The ringworms are going away slowly and putting bentonite on the rash is help it go away. I have him a baking soda bath last night and that seemed to help sooth the rash alot and i am going to do it again tonight. I know it will go away, its just so hard to see them sick!! i clean the house daily still and keep the blankets in his crib to a minimum and wash them daily as well. thank you all so much for the help and for prayers, its so encouraging to know i am not the only mommy who goes through this.

Mandy - posted on 12/19/2008

Hi. I live on a ranch and unfortunatly my kids get ringworm once in awhile too. Sounds wierd but for us athlete's foot medicine worked. Just apply it on about 3 times a day. Usually clears it up in less then a week. Make sure they don't touch the ringworm then touch another part of their body because it spreads easy.

Nicole - posted on 12/18/2008

My son had them and everything the doctor gave us did not work. What did work was my grandma put a little bleach in a glass cup and put a penny in the glass overnight. In the morning dab a cotton ball in the bleach and hold on the ringworm for a minute and it will kill it.

Juli - posted on 12/18/2008

That's from:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/...

Juli - posted on 12/18/2008

Have you done any research on ringworm?



Medical Encyclopedia





Ringworm



Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Alternative Names

Definition

Causes

Symptoms

Exams and Tests

Treatment

Outlook (Prognosis)

Possible Complications

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Prevention

References









Definition



Ringworm is a skin infection caused by a fungus. Ringworm can affect skin on your body (tinea corporis), scalp (tinea capitis), groin area (tinea cruris, also called jock itch), or feet (tinea pedis, also called athlete's foot).



Often, there are several patches of ringworm on your skin at once.



Causes



Ringworm is a common skin disorder, especially among children, but it may affect people of all ages. Although its name suggests otherwise, it is caused by a fungus, not a worm.



Many bacteria and fungi live on your body. Some of these are useful to you and your body. Others can multiply rapidly and form infections. Ringworm occurs when a particular type of fungus grows and multiplies anywhere on your skin, scalp, or nails.



Ringworm is contagious. It can be passed from one person to the next by direct skin-to-skin contact or by contact with contaminated items such as combs, unwashed clothing, and shower or pool surfaces. You can also catch ringworm from pets that carry the fungus. Cats are common carriers.



The fungi that cause ringworm thrive in warm, moist areas. Ringworm is more likely when you have frequent wetness (such as from sweating) and minor injuries to your skin, scalp, or nails.



Symptoms



The symptoms of ringworm include:



Itchy, red, raised, scaly patches that may blister and ooze. The patches often have sharply-defined edges. They are often redder around the outside with normal skin tone in the center. This may create the appearance of a ring. Your skin may also appear unusually dark or light.

When your scalp or beard is infected, you will have bald patches.

If nails are infected, they become discolored, thick, and even crumble.



Exams and Tests



Your doctor will diagnose ringworm primarily based on the appearance of the skin. If tests are needed, the fungus may appear florescent when your skin is examined with a blue light (called a Wood's lamp) in a dark room. A more definitive diagnosis can be made by scraping the affected area of skin and examining the cells under a microscope.



Treatment



Ringworm usually responds well to self-care within 4 weeks without having to see a doctor.



Keep your skin clean and dry.

Apply over-the-counter antifungal or drying powders, lotions, or creams. Those that contain miconazole, clotrimazole, or similar ingredients are often effective.

Wash sheets and nightclothes every day while infected.

A severe or persistent infection may require treatment by a doctor. Antifungal pills may be given and are necessary if your hair is infected. Prescription antifungal skin medications, such as ketoconazole, are stronger than over-the-counter products and may be needed. Antibiotics may also be needed to treat related bacterial infections.



Infected pets also should be treated.



Outlook (Prognosis)



Skin medication is usually successful at treating Ringworm within 4 weeks. If your ringworm infection is severe or resistant (meaning that it does not respond well to self-care), it will usually respond quickly to antifungal pills.



Possible Complications



Spread of ringworm to other areas

Bacterial skin infections

Contact dermatitis or other skin disorders

Side effects from medications



When to Contact a Medical Professional



Call your doctor right away if you have any signs of a bacterial infection, which can result from scratching. These signs include swelling, warmth to the touch, sudden worsening in redness of the patches, red streaking, pus, discharge, and fever.



Call your doctor if:



Ringworm infects your scalp or beard.

Your skin does not improve after 4 weeks of self-care.

Prevention



To prevent ringworm:



Keep your skin and feet clean and dry.

Shampoo regularly, especially after haircuts.

Do not share clothing, towels, hairbrushes, combs, headgear, or other personal care items. Such items should be thoroughly cleaned and dried after use.

Wear sandals or shoes at gyms, lockers, and pools.

Avoid touching pets with bald spots.

References



Weinstein A. Topical treatment of common superficial tinea infections.



Gupta AK. Treatments of tinea pedis. Dermatol Clin. 2003; 21(3): 431-462.



Pratte M. Common skin conditions in athletes. Clin Fam Pract. 2003; 5(3): 653.





Update Date: 5/1/2007



Updated by: Rachel A. Lewis, MD, FAAP, Columbia University Pediatric Faculty Practice, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.