Ringworm | Diagnosis & Treatments
How is ringworm diagnosed?
Ringworm is usually diagnosed based on a medical history and physical examination of your child. Because ringworm lesions are unique, your child's physician can typically make a diagnosis based on a simple physical examination. Your child's physician may also order a culture or skin scraping of the lesion to confirm the diagnosis.
How we treat ringworm
Because the fungi can live indefinitely on the skin, recurrences of ringworm are likely. Treatment may need to be repeated.
Treatment for scalp ringworm (tinea capitis) may include:
- oral anti-fungal medication, which is usually prescribed for four to eight weeks; some children require longer treatment
- use of a special shampoo to help eliminate the fungus
If a kerion — a large, tender, swollen lesion — is present, your child's physician may order additional medications such as steroids to help reduce the swelling.
Treatment for ringworm of the body, groin, and foot is usually a topical anti-fungal agent or an oral antifungal medication. The length of the treatment depends on the location of the ringworm.