Ringworm

Ringworm is a fungal infection of the skin.  It is spread from other people or from dogs, and is not serious.  You do not need to keep your child out of day care.

Treatment

  • Apply over the counter clotrimazole 1% to the area 3 times a day.  It may take 3 weeks for the infection to clear and you need to keep applying the cream for 1 week after it is gone.

Make an appointment to see the doctor if:

  • The area gets worse instead of better
  • The infected area is on the scalp

 Return to the Childhood Illness Guide.