ringworm

[goodstarr]

My daughter has had ringworm spots consistently over the past 10 months. Just when one clears up, another starts. I can't keep up with them. The doctor says that some children seem to keep the infection for long periods of time (or become reinfested). They are very small spots usually on her face or upper torso. Any advice? I can't take it anymore. We started off with prescription ointment, then MD said that over the counter stuff works just as well (well, it didn't). Now, back to prescription. Help!

 

[cathymailme]

Try keeping the spot cover with long sleeves or pants. If she touches the spot and then other body parts it will spread.

 

[Mickeyfaniam]

a doctor once told my DH to use the medicated Selson blue shampoo....rub it right on the spots

 

[goodstarr]

Thanks for the quick advice. About the Selsum Blue, does it work differently or better than the ointment? The ointment works great but another spot pops up somewhere else a few days later. I'm familiar with it spreading through contact (she scratches them) but I have no experience with a continual infection over a period of 10 months. I've heard of a child getting ringworm, spreading it to a worthy friend or family member and then the ringworm clearing up. But never have I heard of a ringworm infection that won't stay away for 10 whole months

 

[Snow White]

My sons get it all the time from wrestling and we use Lamasil cream and it goes away quickly...put it on several times a day till it clears up. You can also use those Lamasil medicated pads to wipe the area off.

 

[CookieGVB]

UGH - my son kept getting it, over and over, on his scalp. It was HORRIBLE, and lasted over a year. Thankfully, now that the boys are no longer going to the daycare center, he is rid of it.

 

[Wishing on a star]

This is like a fungal infection, right???

My DH got this once, and we got the anti-fungal foot spray and sprayed it on him! worked great.

There may be something that can be taken orally to stop a systemic infection that keeps popping up???

Also, I would recommend going all out to fight this really hard... Double up on any treatment, wash all clothing and bedding with tons of soap, clorox for whites, etc..... Sanitize or replace everything that you can...

If she is wanting to scratch, keep the areas covered... cut her nails as short as possible.

Also, when my DH picked this up, he was working out on a fencerow behind our house. Then, it seemed like months later, he was working in that same area, where he did not ever usually go.... and started to get it again. (which he treated and got rid of immediately) Is there somewhere like that where it may keep coming from? That could answer why it isn't going away?

Good luck getting rid of it!

 

[jete]

Thanks everybody. I'll take all the suggestions to heart. She did try an oral med to try to beat it systemically, but it didn't do any better than the cream and her pediatricians were at odds on whether she should actually use it or not. I guess my house is in for a good scrubbing

 

[mickeysaver]

If you have a cat, have your vet check the cat too. They can also carry the fungus.

I'm sure that you clean the house. The stuff is hard to get rid of sometimes. Wash all the bed linens and towels in HOT water. Vacuum the mattresses, sofas, and floors. Any teddybears or stuffed critters need to be washed or dry cleaned too. Mop the bathroom and clean out the tub with straight bleach.

Good luck! Maggie

 

[browneyes]

It's tough to get rid of ringworm, but 10 months! My dd had ringworm once when she was in preschool. She went to the sandpile at school and a cat had been in there the night before to leave her the ringworm. She still doesn't play in sandpiles now.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by browneyes
It's tough to get rid of ringworm, but 10 months! My dd had ringworm once when she was in preschool. She went to the sandpile at school and a cat had been in there the night before to leave her the ringworm. She still doesn't play in sandpiles now.

Ringworm is a fungus, not a worm. I doubt the fact that a cat was there previously had anything to do with it unless the cat had ringworm and your child touched the cat. It is spread from direct contact, not sand.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

http://content.health.msn.com/content/healthwise/144/35867