| Ringworm is often a misdiagnosis for other | | | | |
| conditions, especially numular eczema and | | | | Ringworm is difficult to prevent. The fungus |
| pityriasis rosea. | | | | is very common, and it is contagious even |
| | | | before symptoms appear. |
| Remember that athlete's foot is unusual in | | | | |
| preteen children. These children often have | | | | Steps to prevent infection include the |
| Juvenile Plantar Dermatosis or a contact | | | | following: |
| dermatitis when they have an itchy red rash | | | | |
| on their feet. Ringworm is only mildly | | | | Educate the public, especially parents, about |
| contagious, so children undergoing treatment | | | | the risk of Ringworm from infected persons |
| may continue to attend school or daycare. In | | | | and pets. |
| addition to infected people, you can get | | | | |
| ringworm from infected cats and dogs, so | | | | Keep common-use areas clean, especially in |
| examine your pets if someone in your family | | | | schools, day-care centers, gyms, and locker |
| develops ringworm. | | | | rooms. Disinfect sleeping mats and gym mats |
| | | | after each use. |
| Ringworm can be treated with fungus-killing | | | | |
| medicine. The medicine can be in taken in | | | | Do not share clothing, towels, hair brushes, |
| tablet or liquid form by mouth or as a cream | | | | or other personal items. |
| applied directly to the affected area. | | | | |
| | | | Infected persons should follow these steps to |
| The treatment for ringworm is one of the many | | | | keep the infection from spreading: |
| effective topical antifungal creams, such as | | | | |
| miconazole (Tinactin) or clotrimazole | | | | Complete treatment as instructed, even after |
| (Lotrimin). Several of these antifungal | | | | symptoms disappear. |
| creams are now available without a | | | | |
| prescription. Treatment may require several | | | | Do not share towels, hats, clothing, or other |
| weeks. Only by treating for at least one week | | | | personal items with others. |
| after the resolution of symptoms can one | | | | |
| guarantee eradication. As soon as treatment | | | | Minimize close contact with others until |
| has begun it's fine for her to play with | | | | treated. |
| others, but it's best not to share clothing | | | | |
| or to let other children rub the patch of | | | | Make sure the person or animal that was the |
| ringworm. | | | | source of infection gets treated. |