Treatment of ringworm in children

There are diseases that we have never heard of until, unfortunately, we experience them in the first person , either because we are infected or because someone in our environment suffers from it. One of these is ringworm , a disease that we are going to talk about in depth today. It is a disease that children can also suffer from . And, as we all know, it is much more difficult to detect a disease in children properly if the symptoms of it are not known, since children are not very given to explain what happens to them in depth.

Ringworm is an infectious and contagious disease , which can be suffered by both the skin and the scalp. As a general rule, it is usually more present in the skin of the scalp, and can end up causing hair loss. It mainly affects children, although it can end up infecting people of any age.

Under the term ringworm we speak of different infections , caused by different types of fungus, among which we find fungi very similar to mold, called dermatophytes. These dermatophytes live under dead skin tissue; Ringworm occurs when these dermatophytes begin to grow and reproduce, multiplying in practically any part of the skin, both on the body and on the scalp, and even the nails.

SYMPTOMS AND CONTAGION

It is very easy to tell when a child has ringworm, as long as the symptoms of the disease are known first-hand . These symptoms can appear on the skin, scalp, or nails. In the latter we will notice that they are fading, they are turning white or with yellow tones; In addition, they will become much thicker and have a greater chance of breaking. Ringworm can affect a single nail or spread over all of them, so extreme precautions must be taken.

On the scalp , you will notice that children will begin to have a kind of bald spot on their heads; And it is that the ringworm is spreading as if they were patches, and where these patches are reproduced, the hair falls out. It does not start like that, but the first thing you will notice is a kind of pimple or pimple that, little by little, will spread. The child may complain of pain and increased sensitivity, since ringworm usually causes this.

When ringworm occurs on the skin, it is much easier to detect than it is on the scalp because the symptoms can be seen with the naked eye. You will also see a kind of reddish patches, usually in the form of scales, and that may turn into blisters if they are not treated in time.

Getting infected is also very easy. Once a child has ringworm, it is very likely that he will pass it on to the people who live with him , and even to his classmates. Because it is spread through direct contact between two people, or with objects that the infected child has used, such as a comb. With which imagine how simple it is to suffer a contagion between children in a school. It is important to detect the disease in order to provide adequate treatment and prevent further infections.

TREATMENT AND OTHER CARE

When ringworm affects the skin directly, it is much easier both to diagnose it and to apply a treatment. The first thing the specialist will tell you is that you should always keep the child’s skin clean ; In addition, he will prescribe a powder, lotion or cream to apply to the area in question.

In about four weeks, this treatment will take effect and the ringworm will disappear. But this when it affects the skin; If the affected area is the scalp or nails, or if this infection continues to persist after the cream, it will be necessary to proceed to treatment through the oral route. It is important that you go to the doctor as soon as possible so that he is the one who prescribes everything you need.

There are ways to avoid contagion, such as avoiding touching affected areas of both people and animals. In addition, it is important to keep the skin clean and dry; We must pay special attention to this when we are going to the pool on a regular basis, or when we practice sports. Do not let children walk barefoot in pools or changing rooms, as this could also promote contagion. Teach them that it is important not to share brushes or combs, hats or towels, because that could harm them in the long run.