Ringworm in Babies and Toddlers

You've probably heard of ringworm before. Despite the name, ringworm has nothing to do with worms. Instead, the name comes from the ring-shaped rash caused by a fungal infection. Read on to learn what ringworm is, the treatments available, and how you can help prevent your baby or toddler from getting ringworm in the first place.

What Is Ringworm?

Ringworm is a common fungal skin infection that's pretty contagious and can happen to anyone—not just kids. The fungus can spread through people, animals, and contaminated items. So, for example, if someone uses the clothing, bed linens, or towel of a person who has ringworm, they could catch the infection. 

You might be more familiar with ringworm than you think, since it's the same fungus that causes jock itch ( tinea cruris ) and athlete's foot ( tinea pedis ). Basically, when the fungus grows in the groin area, it's called jock itch; when it grows on the feet, it's called athlete's foot; and when it shows up anywhere else on the body, it's called ringworm. 

The medical name of a fungal skin infection begins with tinea and is followed by a word referring to the infection's location. For example, tinea capitis means infections of the scalp, and tinea corporis means infections of the body.

How Do Babies and Toddlers Get Ringworm?

Ringworm, also known as dermatophytosis, is a type of fungus that thrives in warm, moist environments. Babies can catch ringworm through:

• Direct skin-to-skin contact with someone who is infected

• Touching contaminated items, like towels, clothing, combs, or bedding

• Contact with infected pets (cats, dogs, or other animals)

• Environmental factors: damp clothing, tight-fitting clothes, or shared bedding.

Related Articles

Common Baby Rash Guide: Types, Causes, and Effective Treatments

Symptoms of Ringworm in Babies: What Does it Look Like?

Ringworm causes red, scaly, circular patches with raised edges. As the rash grows, the patches might become smoother in the center. The rash can appear on your child's scalp or anywhere else on their body. Multiple ring-shaped patches can develop if the infection isn't treated. 

Here's how the rash develops when symptoms appear, usually 4 to 14 days after the initial infection: 

• Skin patches: Red, pink, brown, or gray scaly patches appear on your baby or toddler’s skin or scalp. The patches morph into circular ring shapes once the rash has grown to about half an inch in diameter. Look for raised, scaly borders and a clear, smooth center.

• Typically, the rash stops growing when it gets to about one inch in diameter.

• Scalp involvement: Flaking, dandruff-like patches, bald spots, or broken hairs. In severe cases, a kerion may form—a pus-filled, tender bump.

• Comfort level: Affected areas may be itchy, tender, or uncomfortable.

  Your baby may have one or many of these patches, which may or may not be itchy and uncomfortable.

In some severe cases, the infection can cause scarring and permanent hair loss.

It can be easy to confuse some types of ringworm with dandruff, eczema, cradle cap, or another skin condition. Cradle cap only occurs in infancy, which means that if your child is over 1 year old, the infection is unlikely to be cradle cap and is more likely to be ringworm or another condition. Your child’s healthcare provider will be able to make a diagnosis if you’re unsure what’s causing the red, scaly patches on your little one’s skin.

Severity Checklist:

Ringworm Treatment for Babies and Toddlers

Your healthcare provider may recommend an over-the-counter cream, such as clotrimazole, tolnaftate, or miconazole, to treat your baby's ringworm. 

Usually, you need to apply this medication two to three times a day for at least a week before the ringworm starts to clear up. Read the instructions on the product label and talk to the pharmacist or your healthcare provider if you have any questions. 

If the over-the-counter cream doesn't work, your child's provider may prescribe a stronger oral antifungal medication. Tinea capitis (ringworm on the scalp) usually needs to be treated with oral antifungal medication, and sometimes a special shampoo may be recommended. Be sure to use the medication as directed and for as long as it's recommended to ensure your baby's ringworm clears up entirely. 

Other family members might also need treatment. While the infection is still around in your home, make sure items like combs, hats, and towels aren't shared to prevent ringworm from spreading (or coming back).

How Can Ringworm Be Prevented?

Ringworm can be prevented through simple measures, including:

• Keeping your baby’s skin clean and dry

• Avoiding tight-fitting clothing

• Using clean towels

• Avoiding the sharing of clothes, towels, combs, brushes, and hats

• Dressing your baby in fresh, clean clothes every day

• Ensuring your child’s hands are thoroughly washed after touching or playing with a ringworm-infected pet (patchy hair loss is an indicator your pet may have ringworm, which should be promptly treated by a veterinarian)

• Treating other family members with ringworm to prevent it from spreading throughout the members of your household

• Treating other fungal infections, such as athlete’s foot or jock itch, immediately to prevent further spreading.

It may be a good idea to keep your child home from daycare or preschool to prevent spreading ringworm to others. Check with the daycare center or preschool as to what their policy might be regarding an infection like ringworm, or ask your child’s healthcare provider for personalized advice.

When to Contact Your Healthcare Provider

While ringworm is usually easy to treat, certain signs mean it’s time to seek professional help. If the rash spreads despite treatment, develops pus, becomes redder or warmer, or your child develops a fever, contact your healthcare provider. Scalp infections with hair loss or kerion formation also require medical attention. Acting quickly can prevent complications and make treatment easier.

Contact your provider if any of the following occur:

• Rash spreads despite treatment

• Pus, increased redness, warmth, or swelling

• Fever or signs of systemic infection

• Rash appears on the scalp or hair loss is noticeable

• Kerion or painful bumps develop.

The Bottom Line

Ringworm is totally treatable. It's best to catch it early before it spreads to other parts of your baby's body or to another family member. Over-the-counter meds or medications prescribed by your child's healthcare provider can help get rid of the fungus. Effective treatment ensures that ringworm in infants is quickly taken care of. 

The key to preventing your baby or another family member from getting or spreading ringworm is to make sure that clothes, towels, and bed linens aren't shared, and that towels and clothes are washed regularly. 

If you suspect your pet has ringworm, take it to the veterinarian immediately, and be sure to wash your hands after contact. 

Ringworm infection can be contained with the right precautions. With some TLC and effective treatment, your baby or toddler will heal from this infection and have clear skin again.