Symptoms

• Round pink patch
• Clearing of the center as the patch grows
• Raised, rough, scaly border
• Usually ½ to 1 inch (12 -25 mm) in size
• Ring slowly increases in size
• Mildly itchy

Cause

• A fungus infection of the skin
• Can often be spread to humans from puppies or kittens who have it
• Rarely, can be spread human-to-human. It requires direct skin contact to be passed this way.   An exception is that an epidemic from ringworm can occur among wrestlers. This is because of close body contact during matches.
• Sometimes, caused by fungus in the soil.

Return to School

• Your child doesn't have to miss any child care or school for ringworm.

1. What You Should Know:
   • Ringworm is a fungus infection of the skin.
   • Often it's caught from puppies or kittens that have it.
   • Here is some care advice that should help.
2. Antifungal Cream:
   • Use Lamisil, Micatin or Lotrimin cream 2 times per day. No prescription is needed.
   • Put it on the rash and 1 inch (2.5 cm) beyond its borders.
   • Continue the cream for at least 7 days after the rash is cleared.
3. Return to School:
   • Your child doesn't have to miss any child care or school for ringworm.
   • Sometimes, ringworm of the skin can be passed on to others. It requires direct skin-to-skin contact.
   • Ringworm from pets is not passed from human to human. It is only passed from animal to human.
   • After 48 hours of treatment, ringworm does not spread to others at all.
   • Wrestlers, however, should not wrestle until checked by your child's doctor.
4. What to Expect:
   • It goes away in 3 to 4 weeks.
   • If it comes back, suspect the household puppy or kitten.
   • Take your animal to the vet for diagnosis and treatment.
5. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Rash gets bigger or spreads after 1 week on treatment
   • Rash is not gone by 4 weeks
   • Your child becomes worse