What's the best cure for ringworm?

Ringworm is actually caused by infection of the skin with a fungus, not a worm as the name suggests. It is often caught from contact with an animal or child with the infection. It can cause rashes on the body (Tinea corporis), the feet (Tinea pedis), the scalp (Tinea Capitis) or the nails.

It sounds as though your daughter may have the rash on her body as it is being treated with a cream. The rash is typically red and may be itchy. The border between the rash and healthy skin is typically clearly defined with a red edge. Where the rash occurs on open areas of her body the red patches enlarge from the centre outwards. The central skin may appear to be healing leaving the outer rim of the rash looking like a circle. This ring like appearance is why the rash is called ringworm.

Fungal infections are slow growing - they are slow to appear and can take several months to respond to treatment. This may be why your doctors have reassured you it is normal for your daughter's rash not to be clearing up. However after three months I agree that she needs re-evaluating.

Firstly it's important to confirm that her rash actually is ringworm. Your daughter's GP or a dermatologist can send scrapings of skin from the raised edge of the rash to the microbiology lab where they may see or grow the fungus. Also her patches of infected skin will fluoresce a bright green colour if she is examined in a dark room under an ultra-violet light known as a Wood's light (the dermatologist would have the facilities to do this).

If her rash is confirmed as ringworm she may require treatment with a course or anti-fungal tablets by mouth as it has not responded to standard treatment with creams. Such treatment is usually best given under the supervision of a specialist such as a dermatologist.

If your daughter's rash turns out not to be ringworm she may have a skin condition such as eczema or psoriasis which can mimic ringworm and need appropriate treatment.

I would suggest you ask your GP to consider referring your daughter to a dermatologist to confirm the diagnosis.

We recommend readers seek personal medical attention in appropriate circumstances

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