Ringworm is a common fungal infection affecting the skin, hair, or nails. Despite its name, it is not caused by a worm but by various types of fungi known as dermatophytes. This common, contagious condition affects many people. Understanding how it affects infants is important for parents and caregivers.
Understanding Ringworm in Infants
Babies can get ringworm. Infants are susceptible due to their developing immune systems and frequent close contact with family members, other children, or pets. The fungi responsible for ringworm thrive in warm and damp environments, making transmission easy.
Infants contract ringworm through direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person or animal, such as a dog or cat. Sharing contaminated objects like bedding, towels, clothing, combs, or toys can also spread the infection. The fungi can live on surfaces for months, and contact with infected soil can lead to transmission.
Recognizing Signs of Ringworm
Ringworm can manifest differently depending on the affected body part, though it often begins as red, scaly patches. On the body (tinea corporis), it appears as a distinctive, itchy, circular rash with raised borders and a clearer or scaly center. These patches can range from about half an inch to an inch in diameter and may expand outwards. The rash color can vary, appearing red or pink on lighter skin tones, and red-purple, brown, gray, or black on darker skin tones.
When ringworm affects the scalp (tinea capitis), it often does not form the classic ring shape. Instead, parents might observe small, scaly patches, bald spots, or areas where hair has broken off. The affected scalp can also be tender or itchy. Swollen, pus-filled lesions called kerions can develop, which may lead to permanent hair loss. Ringworm on the nails (tinea unguium) can cause them to become thick, brittle, and discolored.
Managing and Preventing Future Cases
Diagnosing ringworm in babies involves a healthcare provider examining the rash. A skin scraping or hair sample can be taken for microscopic examination or culture to confirm the fungal infection. Treatment involves antifungal medications, with topical creams effective for most body infections. These creams, such as clotrimazole or miconazole, are applied two to three times daily to the rash and an area extending about an inch beyond its borders, for several weeks even after symptoms improve.
Scalp ringworm requires oral antifungal medication, which can be prescribed for one to three months, sometimes alongside a special antifungal shampoo. Complete the full course of treatment as directed by a medical professional, even if the rash appears to clear, to prevent recurrence and further spread. During treatment, keeping the affected area clean and dry helps in healing and prevents the infection from worsening.
Preventing ringworm involves steps to minimize exposure to the fungi. Maintain good hygiene, such as daily bathing and thoroughly drying skin, especially in folds. Avoiding sharing personal items like towels, combs, hats, and clothing can significantly reduce transmission within the household. Regularly washing bedding, towels, and clothes in hot water and detergent helps eliminate fungal spores. Parents should also check pets for signs of ringworm, such as patches of missing fur, and seek veterinary treatment if suspected, as animals are a common source of infection.