Help ringworms

[crazelion]

Hi all,

My foster son has ringworms in his head. What do I need to do? I have doctor appointment set up.

Is it contagious. Do I need to wash sheets and spreads.

 

[BCDisneyFanatic]

First of all, ringworm is not actually worms...it's a fungal infection.

Yes, it is contagious. You should be washing your FS's sheets and towels every day, and I'd also put his comb/brush in the dishwasher (and make sure he has his own).

Over-the-counter anti-fungal meds usually are quite effective. Try to keep him from scratching as much as possible (although it will be hard, since it tends to be itchy).

It will likely take a few weeks to clear up, but if it doesn't, your doctor can prescribe stronger meds.

Good luck...hopefully you can get it cleared up quickly!

 

[sewer]

Hi all,

My foster son has ringworms in his head. What do I need to do? I have doctor appointment set up.

Is it contagious. Do I need to wash sheets and spreads.

It's very contagious! But the good news is a product like Tinactin will clear it up. My son is a wrestler and they get it a few times a year so we're used to it.

 

[Mickeypooh99]

I had it on my leg one time. Its not worms! I freaked out when they first told me, but after they explained it wasn't worms I calmed down. The medication worked really fast and no one else in my family caught it, but the doctor was surprised no one else did. I had just thought it was a sore on my leg, and waited a month before I went in to the doctor. I still have no idea how I got it since it was february, and not shorts weather here in MI!

 

[crazelion]

Thanks for all help. I am head to store get some cream now.

 

[Jsme]

My DD had it when she was small. We got rid of it with a prescript from the doctor but did not realize you have to continue using the medicine for 2 weeks even though it looks like it has cleared up. She got it back and this time my friend told me to use the medicine for 2 straight weeks. It disappeared and we have not had a problem since.

 

[ncmickeyluvr]

Over the counter creams WILL NOT WORK on ringworm on the scalp!!! DD had it when she was 5. I didn't even know it was ringworm until I brought her to the doctor. The scalp is too thick for the topical cream to work. DD had to take a liquid med for 3 months and use a prescription shampoo. She also had to get bloodwork done every few weeks because the medicine can damage her kidney...or liver...I forget which because it was 5 years ago.

Anyway, get him to his pediatricain. DD actually lost a patch of hair before I realized anything was even there. Good luck!

 

[bgirldeb]

Over the counter creams WILL NOT WORK on ringworm on the scalp!!! DD had it when she was 5. I didn't even know it was ringworm until I brought her to the doctor. The scalp is too thick for the topical cream to work. DD had to take a liquid med for 3 months and use a prescription shampoo. She also had to get bloodwork done every few weeks because the medicine can damage her kidney...or liver...I forget which because it was 5 years ago.

Anyway, get him to his pediatricain. DD actually lost a patch of hair before I realized anything was even there. Good luck!

This is correct. You will need prescription oral antifungal mess for ringworm on the scalp. Went through this with DS.

 

[Feralpeg]

My new puppies, that I adopted from a rescue group, both tested positive for ringworm. I've been bathing them in a special shampoo I got from the vet. I had both of them crawling all over me two weeks before I found out about the ringworm. The good news is that I did not catch it.

 

[taylor1293]

I disagree about the OTC medicine and the scalp.

I took DD to the doctor that is exacty what they recommended and it was gone after about two weeks.

Maybe it depends on how bad the ringworm is?

 

[ncmickeyluvr]

I disagree about the OTC medicine and the scalp.

I took DD to the doctor that is exacty what they recommended and it was gone after about two weeks.

Maybe it depends on how bad the ringworm is?

My doctor said that OTC "may" work...but maybe not. In the mean time while you're messing around with it it could cause hairloss and permanent scarring. I definitely would rather go the prescription route. Not to mention that the doctor said that the otc could take weeks to work...the whole time my child would be contagious

I've had regular ringworm before on my arm. My college roomate decided to get barn kittens and they both had it. OTC anti- fungal took care of it in a few days....definitely different when it's on the scalp.

 

[formill]

Could try tea tree oil until you can get to the doctors?? (it's an antifungal...)

 

[MommaSnowwhite]

My DD had it on her scalp and she was on meds from the Dr for 2 months to get rid of it. The Dr suggested we use Head & Shoulders as well.

 

[sewer]

Could try tea tree oil until you can get to the doctors?? (it's an antifungal...)

Yep, you can get a product call Defense it's made with tea tree oil.

 

[DebbieB]

I got a patch on my arm one time at WDW. I really think I caught it from holding onto a pole on the bus one night coming back from MK. I was tired, my arm was wrapped around it. Anyway, it took months to get rid of it. I got it in June, went to the doctor after a couple weeks, they gave me cream, didn't work, kept getting bigger and redder. I was referred to a dermatogist, he gave different creams, didn't work. Finally he did a biopsy (I still have a scar) to confirm fungus. The ony way I got rid of it was Oral Lamisil. Lamisil can be damaging to the liver so I had to get bloodwork. I was on it for 3 weeks and finally got rid of it. Total about 4 months. The dermatologist said it got too deep into the skin for creams to work.

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/ringworm-treatment-for-humans.html

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

I had it in college once. They are not worms -- but a fungus.

My dr prescribed a topical med that I used daily. It took care of it in a week or so if I remember.

Yes - it is contagious. My dr told me to use my bath towel only once before washing it in HOT water as well as washing my sheets etc. I lived alone at the time so that part was easy --

At the time, I got some cami's to wear when I put the meds on so I didn't get it on my clothes. (I had them on my stomach area)

Hang in there!

 

[bumbershoot]

Hubby had it as a kid, though not on the head. His parents tried everything, then finally his dad opened some vitamin E capsules and spread it on the spots. Overnight they were gone.

 

[XYSRUS]

My kids have had it on their arms and legs and the Dr. told me specifically if you have it on the scalp you need an RX oral medication. Take him to the Dr.

 

[*BTMRR*]

My friend's little boy had one spot on his arm and one on his scalp. The one on his arm went away quickly with OTC meds but the scalp one wouldn't respond at all to the OTC--they tried for a couple of months--so they got a prescription from the doctor and it healed up in a jiffy.

 

[Aisling]

It's very contagious! But the good news is a product like Tinactin will clear it up. My son is a wrestler and they get it a few times a year so we're used to it.

My son is a mixed martial artist and he got scabies! It took a month of medication, but it's gone now.

My kids got ringworm from time to time when they were in preschool/kindergarten (hands and face). I always used a prescription that the doctor gave us, and it worked fine.