First Aid: Ringwormenparentshttps://kidshealth.org/EN/images/headers/P-FA-Ringworm-enHD.jpgRingworm is a common fungal infection of the skin. Here's what to do if your child has ringworm.ringworm, athlete's foot, jock itch, round rash, circular rash, circle-shaped rash, tinea, skin infection, skin, nails, scalp, fungi, germs, dermatophytes, kerions, patchy lesions, can i prevent getting ringworm?, taking care of cuts and scrapes, antifungal medications, good hygiene, dermatology10/20/200906/27/201809/02/2019Kate M. Cronan, MD06/15/201853b41386-3a76-418e-a1bd-91e324f15bdfhttps://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/ringworm-sheet.html/<p><a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/first-aid-guides.html/"><img class="right" title="Parents image" src="https://kidshealth.org/EN/images/buttons/P-firstaid-enBT.jpg" alt="First Aid" name="4990-P_FIRSTAID_ENBT.JPG" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/fungal-ringworm.html/">Ringworm</a> is a common fungal infection of the skin seen most often on the scalp, body, feet ("<a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/athletes-foot.html/">athlete's foot</a>"), or groin ("<a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/jock-itch.html/">jock itch</a>"). Ringworm isn't a worm — its name comes from how it looks, like a red ring or group of rings with clear centers.</p>
<h3>Signs and Symptoms</h3>
<h4>On the skin:</h4>
<ul>
<li>starts as a red, scaly patch or bump</li>
<li>itching</li>
<li>discomfort</li>
<li>usually shaped like a circle with raised, tiny bumps around the edges (often with a scaly center)</li>
</ul>
<h4>On the scalp:</h4>
<ul>
<li>may start as a round, reddish, pimple-like sore</li>
<li>becomes patchy, flaky, scaly, or crusty (may first be mistaken for <a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/dandruff.html/">dandruff</a>)</li>
<li>causes swelling, soreness, redness, bald patches (usually circular), and broken hairs</li>
</ul>
<h3>What to Do</h3>
<ul class="kh_longline_list">
<li>Call your doctor if you think your child has signs of ringworm.</li>
<li>Follow the doctor's treatment instructions carefully. Depending on the type and site of the infection, these may include using over-the-counter or prescription cream for the skin, or prescription oral (taken by mouth) medicine for the scalp.</li>
<li>Discourage your child from picking at the infected area because this could cause another type of infection.</li>
<li>Call your doctor if the area gets redder, is swollen, or develops pus.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Think Prevention!</h3>
<p>Prevent ringworm by encouraging your kids to:</p>
<ul>
<li>not share combs, brushes, hair accessories, pillows, hats, cellphones, and headphones</li>
<li>wear flip-flops at the pool or in the locker room shower</li>
<li>wash sports clothing regularly</li>
<li>shower after contact sports</li>
<li><a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/hand-washing.html/">wash their hands</a> well and often</li>
</ul>Athlete's FootAnyone can get athlete's foot. Find out how to avoid this itchy skin condition in this article for kids.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/kids/athletes-foot.html/85bef75e-92a7-4985-926e-6fc873e3c4bfDandruffGot flakes? Most cases of dandruff don't require a visit to a doctor's office. Treat them at home with special, over-the-counter dandruff shampoos.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/dandruff.html/69c7fe95-f222-43a8-bd0e-a85c6d309adeGerms: Bacteria, Viruses, Fungi, and ProtozoaGerms are tiny organisms that can cause disease - and they're so small that they can creep into your system without you noticing. Find out how to protect yourself.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/teens/care-about-germs.html/59b8feef-766a-4272-ac83-38140b1d176aJock ItchJock itch is a pretty common fungal infection of the groin and upper thighs. It is generally easy to treat - and avoid - by following a few simple steps.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/teens/jock-itch.html/e5dfe949-25c9-4915-8555-4e6f87b8ae61RingwormRingworm isn't a worm at all - it's the name for a type of fungal skin infection. The good news is that ringworm is easy to treat.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/teens/ringworm.html/3b8e50e5-000d-43f4-bffa-88f82d52b707Skin, Hair, and NailsOur skin protects the network of tissues, muscles, bones, nerves, blood vessels, and everything else inside our bodies. Hair and nails are actually modified types of skin.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/skin-hair-nails.html/ff7f1929-9dfc-404b-91a9-b45e51633223VitiligoVitiligo is a loss of skin pigment that causes white spots or patches to appear on the skin. It's not medically dangerous, but it can affect a person's appearance. Find out more.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/teens/vitiligo.html/97be1271-6dd1-4732-9ef9-14347532222cWhat Are Germs?You know they can hurt you, but what are these invisible creatures? Find out in this article for kids.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/kids/germs.html/cd877075-9d39-4c9a-b4f8-d67cb341050fkh:age-allAgesOrAgeAgnostickh:clinicalDesignation-generalPediatricskh:genre-printablekh:primaryClinicalDesignation-gastroenterologyAndNutritionWeightManagementPrintable Safety Guideshttps://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/firstaid-safe/sheets/693dcca2-3462-4fa1-b94f-229a1072c7adhttps://kidshealth.org/EN/images/buttons/P-firstaid-enBT.jpg