Ringworm??

[leebee]

DD has a patch on her back that looks like the pictures of ringworm (tinea corporis) that I have seen on the internet. She's been treating it for over a week now with an OTC cream. It doesn't seem to be clearing up, and actually is larger than when she started treating it. I don't know anyone who's had ringworm, so don't know what to expect regarding treatment/response, but it seems that it shouldn't be increasing in size after a week of treatment. Should she see the doctor, or will they laugh at us for freaking out and not treating it long enough? Is there anything else we should try before calling the doc?

 

[POOHsie]

We used Blue Star Ointment on our DD. I see that Lotramin has a ringworm cream. Maybe compare quantity of medicinal ingredients to see which one is stronger. You could try the alternate cream for a week, but then I'd call the doctor. Might need a prescription cream that is stronger yet.

 

[WorldWacky]

A few years ago, my daughter had ringworm. I remember it taking a while to clear up. We did go to the doctor who prescribed a cream. I don't think it would hurt to see a doctor to make sure your dd doesn't need a stronger cream.

 

[cbg1027]

I've had ringworm multiple times and the Lotrimin anti-fungal cream always seems to clear it up within a few days. I have never seen it get bigger before getting better. I would definitely call the doctor.

I think ringworm responds pretty well to the OTC creams, so DD may not have ringworm.

 

[Mrs.Malone]

Our family has dealt with ringworm a few times over the years. In our experience, the OTC cream started clearing it up within 48 hours or so. It didn't ever get bigger before starting to clear. We've never had it on the back, maybe that's different? I know the scalp is a bad spot to have it. My friend's daughter had it on her scalp. Getting rid of that was a huge ordeal that involved head shaving and multiple doctor visits.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

DD has a patch on her back that looks like the pictures of ringworm (tinea corporis) that I have seen on the internet. She's been treating it for over a week now with an OTC cream. It doesn't seem to be clearing up, and actually is larger than when she started treating it. I don't know anyone who's had ringworm, so don't know what to expect regarding treatment/response, but it seems that it shouldn't be increasing in size after a week of treatment. Should she see the doctor, or will they laugh at us for freaking out and not treating it long enough? Is there anything else we should try before calling the doc?

They won't laugh. They'll want to be sure it's not a Lyme Disease rash and will prescribe whatever is necessary to take care of it.

 

[aprilgail2]

I would take her to the Dr. I wouldn't take the chance waiting because it is contagious though touch or even using the same towel and I would not want to chance everyone in the house getting it.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

This sounds crazy but use clear nail polish.

Seriously...It smothers the fungus. It will clear up much faster than with the creams.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

If the fungus cream is not working it may not be ringworm.

I would see your doctor to rule out other things.

If it is ringworm some prescription strength stuff may be what she needs.

 

[cabanafrau]

Years ago when younger DD was still an infant she got a bullseye rash on her arm so I rushed her into the doc, completely upset my baby had ringworm. I saw a doc in the practice I've never seen since, probably because he was about 2 min from retirement. He walked in the exam door, folder in hand after reading who was there and why. He never even completed the second step in the door before telling me, don't fear the worm, mom, it's exczema.

While you may be getting some good ringworm advice on this thread, before committing to your Dr. Mom diagnosis I'd have it confirmed.

 

[kidshop]

I would go to the doc, but if it got bigger it or there are more areas, it may be
pityriasis rosea. It is a harmless virus. Anyway, my ds and I had that in the past and no one knew what it was LOL (military docs). I had to diagnose myself. And this one lasts 6-8 weeks. Good luck!

 

[DebbieB]

I got it during a trip to WDW a few years ago. It was on my arm, I swear I got it from having my arm wrapped around a pole while standing on a bus. I went to my PCP, she gave me cream, didn't help, kept getting bigger. She sent me to a dermatologist, they gave me different cream, still would not clear up. He did a biopsy and confirmed fungus. I ended up having to take oral lotrimin and it finally cleared up. It was in the summer and was embarrassing to have this huge ring on my arm. The whole ordeal was over 3 months.

 

[sbtrfly74]

Second the clear fingernail polish! It smothers it and cant grow.

I also alternated this with tea tree oil, our new cat had it so she had to have the spot shaved down first. Then put TTree oil on it then the polish. It was gone in less than a week on all of us.

Dont forget to wash down everything she has touched. Includes clothing, bed sheets and even carpets. It can live for a year in materials. I added a small amount of chlorine to our carpet cleaner so it wouldnt lighten the carpet but just disinfect it.

Use a black light to confirm its ringworm, it will glow green in the dark.

 

[JanaDee]

It may not be ringworm. It could be eczema, psoriasis or any number of things that cause nasty-looking rashes.

Take her to the dr.

 

[Wishing on a star]

OP, I don't know what cream you are using.
But, ringworm is a fungal infection, and must be treated with an antifungal cream or spray.

A good antifungal should clear this up pretty quickly, if it is ringworm.

If the cream you are using is not an antifungal, it will have no effect.
Other treatments, such as antibiotic or anti-itch creams will not work.

If you have tried a good antifungal, and it hasn't worked, then, yes, you might want to have a Dr. look at it.

PS: OTC creams, like you can find in the foot-care section for athletes foot can work, but, here is a note... The creams sold for women for yeast infections can be stronger. Like 2% instead of 1%.

 

[lakelandgal70]

I've had ringworm multiple times and the Lotrimin anti-fungal cream always seems to clear it up within a few days. I have never seen it get bigger before getting better. I would definitely call the doctor.

I think ringworm responds pretty well to the OTC creams, so DD may not have ringworm.

This! I would definitely get her to doctor. I know that some people have mistaken ringworm for a tick bite. And vice versa. Better safe then sorry to rule out other things.

 

[jcano]

Go to the doctor. My mother was treating a spot for ringworm. Looked exactly like all the pics of
ringworm. Ended up being skin cancer.

 

[Sgt Mickey]

I thought my dd had ring worm when she was about one. The dr gave us a cream to put on it and it kept looking worse. I don't think it was even ringwork I think it was eczema. I used eucerin and it cleared up.