Ringworm is a common and contagious fungal skin infection that can affect different parts of the body, including the scalp and body. It is most common in children, with 7% of kindergarten to first grade students in Kansas City, Missouri being infected with ringworm of the scalp. Treatment includes non-prescription antifungal creams and shampoos, and severe cases should be diagnosed and treated by a doctor. Ringworm can be transmitted through direct contact or contact with objects, and risk factors include living in a hot climate, poor sanitation, and diabetes.
Ringworm, sometimes called tinea or dermatophytosis, is a common and highly contagious fungal skin infection that is so called because the most visible symptom is an itchy, red, ring-shaped rash. Different types of fungi can cause different types of ringworm, and the condition is often divided into two main types: ringworm of the scalp, which affects the hair and scalp, and ringworm of the body, which can affect almost any part of the body. A large study of ringworm in children in Kansas City, Missouri showed that 7 percent of kindergarten through first grade students were infected with ringworm of the scalp. Ringworm in children can be treated with non-prescription antifungal creams for ringworm of the body or shampoos containing selenium sulfate or zinc pyritin for ringworm of the scalp. In severe cases, one should consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
It’s difficult to know exactly how common ringworm is in children, because only a small percentage of those affected seek medical attention and are diagnosed correctly. Additionally, a fungal infection of this type often clears up on its own without any medical treatment or can be treated successfully with over-the-counter antifungal creams and shampoos. However, medical authorities in the United States estimate that between 20% and 80% of the country’s population will suffer, or have suffered, from some type of ringworm infection at some point in their lives.
The five most common types of tinea fungal infections are athlete’s foot, jock itch, ringworm of the scalp, ringworm of the nails, and ringworm of the body. Each is caused by a different species of fungus. Ringworm of the scalp and ringworm of the body are the most common types of tinea infections in children and are most common between ages 2 and 14. Symptoms of ringworm of the scalp include hair loss, itching, dandruff-like flakes, scaly patches on the scalp, a rash on the scalp, and sometimes a rash on the body as well. The most common symptom of ringworm of the body is the itchy, red, ring-like rash typical of ringworm.
Ringworm of the body and scalp in children is usually caused by fungi that are easily transmitted from person to person, either by direct contact or by contact with objects such as towels, bedding, pillows, combs, hats, and hairbrushes. This means that ringworm in children can spread easily at school or at home. Some types of ringworm can also be transmitted from pets. Risk factors for tinea in children include living in a hot climate, poor sanitation and diabetes. Ringworm in children is also more common in urban areas.
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