Ringworm is a fungal infection that manifests itself as a skin rash and can affect any part of the body; it is particularly common among school-age children, but infants can also be affected. Treating this infection is not a difficult process and home remedies can almost always be done. Learn how to treat ringworm in your baby so that he can heal as soon as possible.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Refer the Child for a Medical Examination
Step 1. Recognize the symptoms of the infection
If the baby has ringworm, he has round patches on the skin that may be red or pink, scaly and with raised edges. Each rash can be smooth or scaly in the center and is usually 1.5-3 cm in diameter, although it can also grow in size.
- The areas affected by the fungus may be itchy.
- Ringworm can be confused with other childhood skin disorders, such as eczema.
- This infection is more common in school-aged children than in infants.
Step 2. Take him to the pediatrician
If you suffer from this disease, the first thing you need to do is to undergo a medical examination, during which the doctor examines the areas affected by the infection and can make the diagnosis based on simple observation; it can also tell you if the rashes are actually caused by this fungus or some other skin problem.
- You absolutely must go to the pediatrician if the infection has hit the baby's scalp.
- You should never try to treat ringworm at home without first talking to your doctor, as you may misdiagnose or not use a sufficiently aggressive remedy to get rid of the pathogen, which could aggravate the situation.
- Not all medications are suitable for newborns, but your doctor can recommend the ones that are appropriate for your baby.
- In some circumstances, immediate medical treatment is required. If pus starts to come out of the rashes, you notice redness around the wheals, the rash is still widespread after a week of treatment, persists for more than a month, new rashes appear or the baby's condition worsens, seek prompt treatment.
Step 3. Ask the doctor questions
When you go to his clinic, ask him all the relevant questions; ask if it is actually ringworm or some other ailment. Take note of what he tells you about the infection and don't hesitate to ask for further explanations if something is not clear to you.
- If your pediatrician doesn't tell you which ointment to use, ask him to recommend one or prescribe an antifungal for you.
- Write down all the instructions he gives you so that you can treat your baby carefully and treat the infection properly.
Method 2 of 3: Treating Ringworm
Step 1. Apply antifungal ointment
If your baby has ringworm, your pediatrician will most likely recommend an over-the-counter antifungal product that kills the pathogen responsible for the problem. Among the most common brands you can find Lamisil, but it is not the only one; spread the cream over the infected areas making sure to spread it at least 2-3 cm beyond the edges of the individual wheals.
- Apply the topical treatment twice a day and make sure you use the cream for another week after the rashes have gone or until your doctor tells you to stop. it usually takes two to three weeks for the infection to be completely eradicated.
- Be sure to wear gloves when applying the cream to reduce the risk of getting the infection yourself or spreading it to other family members.
- If you are not wearing gloves, wash your hands thoroughly before and after applying the product, including the area under the nails.
- Alternatively, you can also use an antifungal lotion or powder.
Step 2. Treat scalp ringworm
This form can be much more difficult to eradicate than the one that develops on other parts of the body. If the child has been affected by this type of disease, the pediatrician prescribes some active ingredient stronger than the over-the-counter drugs, such as an antifungal to be taken orally, which can be given for four to eight weeks.
He can also recommend a special shampoo with which to wash the baby's hair to eliminate the fungus and reduce the risk of contagion
Step 3. Make a garlic paste
This plant has antifungal properties and can be useful for treating the fungus responsible for the infection. You can prepare a paste to apply on skin rashes by crushing raw garlic; crush two wedges, add them to a carrier oil, such as almond oil, and spread the mixture on the wheals. Leave on for 10 minutes before rinsing off with warm water.
- You can repeat this treatment twice a day.
- You can also use garlic oil; add two or three drops to four tablespoons of almond oil and apply the mixture to the rashes. Leave on for 10 minutes, then rinse with hot water; again, you can use the remedy twice a day.
- Be sure to test the oily mixture or mixture on a small area of the baby's skin before using it on all rashes, as the skin may be too sensitive.
- Always consult your pediatrician before using any natural and / or home remedies.
Step 4. Try coconut oil
It has antifungal properties that help eliminate the pathogen responsible for ringworm. Make sure you use an unrefined, non-hydrogenated one; spread it on the areas to be treated and leave it on overnight.
You can proceed once a day
Method 3 of 3: Prevent Contagion
Step 1. Sanitize the environment
If your child has ringworm, you need to clean all surfaces in the house. this means floors, kitchen countertops and cabinets. You should also disinfect everything that the baby touches often, such as the walker, the stroller, the car seat, the high chair and even the toys.
- You can use a disinfectant, such as Amuchina, or another product that kills fungi or has antifungal properties.
- If the baby has ringworm on the head, you must disinfect or throw away any objects that come into contact with the hair or scalp, including combs, brushes, bows, headbands or caps.
- To avoid contagion, prevent sharing of head or hair items with people other than family members.
- You should also wash and sanitize any towels you use to dry your baby's hair or head.
- Wash her bedding in very hot water to get rid of any fungal spores that may have moved.
Step 2. Call the kindergarten
If the little one is attending a daycare, you should let the staff know about the infection. the child may have contracted it in the school facility and may have passed it on to his classmates. Make the nursery management aware of the measures you are using to treat mycosis.
If you think the infection happened at school, you need to talk to the staff to understand what preventative measures are in place and ensure the safety of the child
Step 3. Treat pets
If you are concerned that your child has contracted ringworm from an animal, you should take the animal to the vet. Both dogs and cats can transmit the infection to humans, so you should have them vet to make sure they are not sick or possibly treat them.
If the infection came from an animal, the child cannot pass it on to other humans because it is a different strain of ringworm
Step 4. Know how the infection spreads
Ringworm is usually contracted through direct contact with the sick person; this is why it is much less common among infants than school-age children; however, the little one can become infected by interacting with other children who have contracted the fungus. It may also come into contact with the fungus while crawling or touching infected surfaces.
- Infection from animals is also entirely possible, as cats and dogs can transfer the disease to humans.
- Ringworm is usually no longer contagious after about 48 hours of treatment.
