What is Ringworm?

Ringworm (also called tinea) is a skin infection caused by a fungus that can affect the scalp, body, or foot.

Who gets ringworm?

Anyone can get ringworm.  Scalp ringworm is most common in children between three and nine years old.

How does ringworm spread?

  • Ringworm can spread by direct skin-to-skin contact with people or pets that have ringworm. 
  • Ringworm can spread indirectly by having contact with items like barber clippers, hair from infected people, shower stalls or floors, as well as by sharing combs, brushes, towels, clothing or bedding (sheets and blankets).

What are the symptoms of ringworm?

Scalp:

  • It starts as a small pimple that becomes larger in size and leaves patches of scaling that look like dandruff.  There may or may not be hair loss.
  • There may also be redness and scaling of the scalp with broken hairs or patches of hair loss.
  • Sometimes, yellowish cuplike crusty areas are seen.

Nails:

  • Nails become thicker, discolored and brittle, or they become chalky and disintegrate (break up)

Body:

  • Ringworm of the body looks like red, flat, spreading round patches.  The edges of the patches are reddish and may be either dry and scaly or moist and crusted.
  • As it spreads, the center area clears

Foot:

  • The skin of between the toes cracks and peels

How soon do symptoms appear?

It is not known for sure how quickly after a person comes into contact with ringworm when they will show symptoms.  Ringworm of the scalp is usually seen 10 to 14 days after contact and ringworm of the body is seen four to 10 days after contact.

If a person has ringworm once, can they get it again? 

Yes.

What is the treatment for ringworm?

Your doctor may give you a fungicidal (kills fungus) medicine to swallow as tablets or powders that can be put on affected areas. Griseofulvin is commonly prescribed for treating fungus infections.

What should the caregiver/teacher and the family do?

  • Tell the staff of the child care program or school about the ringworm infection so they can make plans to ensure that other children do not get ringworm.
  • Make sure that medication is given as directed by the doctor.
  • Take not of any areas of the skin or scalp that might have ringworm.
  • Do not allow sharing of bike helmets, hats, combs, brushes, barrettes, scarves, clothing, bedding or towels.
  • If there is a dress-up corner, wash clothes or have disposable outfits.

What can be done to prevent the spread of ringworm?

  • The person who has ringworm should see a doctor as soon as possible
  • Brothers and sisters of a child with ringworm, as well as others who are living in the house should be checked for ringworm.
  • Ribbons, combs, hairbrushes, towels, hats and clothing of the person with ringworm should not be shared with others.
  • Young children who have ringworm should not be around other children until they have seen a doctor and started using the medicine given to treat ringworm. 
  • If there are many cases in one school, contact your local health department.
  • The child’s head should NOT be shaved.  Wearing a cap is also not necessary.