Ringworm

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Thinking Ringworm?

Ringworms are mold-like fungi or yeast that use keratin from dead skin cells for food.
Pharmacist

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Ringworm must live on the outermost layer of the skin (dead skin cells that are filled with the protein keratin), hair, or nails to survive.
We will be talking about ringworm of the body here.

Let's find out what is available over the counter to take care of ringworm in a child.


Boy with ringworm on the hand

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Ringworm

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Is this ringworm?


Know the following before we continue.
Pharmacist

  • Ringworm is contagious. You can get it from direct contact with ringworm on someone's skin.

  • Touching items that have the fungi on them, such as clothing, shower floors, pool surfaces can give it to you.
    (They thrive in warm, moist areas).

  • You can also get it from your pets especially cats.

Let's continue and see if you are looking at ringworm.

 

Are you looking at a patch or patches that are itchy?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
A ringworm is sometimes itchy and like a patch that will keep expanding outwards.
Pharmacist

 

Is the area scaly with dry and flaky skin surrounding it?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?

 

Does the affected area have outside red border like a ring?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
Sign of ringworm infection.
Pharmacist

The contours of the ring may be irregular with scaly borders.

Signs of a ringworm include:

  • Itchy patch or patches
  • Scaly area with dry and flaky surrounding skin
  • Outside ring like red border

 

Are the edges of the affected area defined and slightly raised?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
With ringworm, there is usually a sharply defined border.
Pharmacist

Signs include:

  • Itchy patch or patches
  • Scaly area with dry and flaky surrounding skin
  • Outside ring like red border
  • Sharply defined borders

 

Is this an area that is redder outside

With a clear or normal skin tone in the center?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
With ringworm, the inside of the ring may be scaly.
Pharmacist

Or marked with scattered red bumps. Several rings may develop at the same time and overlap.

 


Those were some of the signs of a ringworm infection.
Pharmacist

If you think you are looking at a ringworm infection on your child's skin, let's continue and see what a pharmacist recommend you use over the counter to help clear this up.

If you are still not sure, have your child see a healthcare provider.

He or she may examine the skin in a dark room with a blue light called Wood's lamp. This may make the fungus glow if it is ringworm.

If you suspect ringworm, let's continue and see what is available over the counter for ringworm infection.

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Ringworm

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Need to see a doctor?

Seeing a doctor depends on:
Pharmacist

If the area is:

  • Infected due to scratching.

  • Very extensive. In which case your child might need oral medications.

  • Very inflammed.

  • Mixed with other causes.

Let's make the right decisions before seeing what a pharmacist recommend your child use over-the-counter to help with this ringworm.

 

Is the affected area swollen or warm to touch?
Pharmacist

 

Seek urgent care or call the pediatrician.
Pharmacist

Here is why:

  • Looking at infection.

Nearest Clinic

 

Is the area draining or forming pus?
Pharmacist

 

Seek urgent care or call the pediatrician.
Pharmacist

Here is why:

  • Possible infection.

Nearest Clinic

 

Are you looking at red streaks in the affected area?
Pharmacist

 

Seek urgent care or call the pediatrician.
Pharmacist

Here is why:

  • Looking at infection.

Nearest Clinic

 

Does the child have fever in addition to this ringworm?
Pharmacist

 

Seek urgent care or call the pediatrician.
Pharmacist

Here is why:

  • Looking at a serious situation.

Nearest Clinic

 

Is the ringworm on the child's scalp?
Pharmacist

 

Seek urgent care or call the pediatrician.
Pharmacist

Here is why:

  • Hard to treat.
  • Over-the-counter creams won't cut this. Don't waste your money.
  • Your child will need oral liquid prescription medication like griseofulvin.

Nearest Clinic

 

Is the ringworm over much of your child's body?
Pharmacist

 

Seek urgent care or call the pediatrician.
Pharmacist

Here is why:

  • Need oral prescription medication.
  • Cannot rub cream to a very large area.

Nearest Clinic

 

Has your child tried selfcare for 4 weeks now and still no relief?
Pharmacist

 

Time to seek urgent care or call the pediatrician.
Pharmacist

Here is why:

  • Need stronger prescription medication.

Nearest Clinic

 

Does this ringworm keep coming back even after going away?
Pharmacist

 

Seek urgent care or call the pediatrician.
Pharmacist

Here is why:

  • Need further evaluation.
  • Need to keep treating for a few more weeks even after clearing.

Nearest Clinic

 


Those were situations where you should not do self care with ringworm.
Pharmacist

Let's see what a pharmacist recommend you use over-the-counter if you are confident none of the previous questions apply to your child.

Or do you think you should see the nearest children's urgent care clinic to you from the discussions so far?

Urgent Care Pharmacist