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PRINT the Information Sheet | |||
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important
points
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| Ringworm | |
| • | Can be passed from child to child and from pets to children |
| • | Can be treated with antifungal creams and tablets |
| Athlete’s Foot | |
| • | Dry feet well after bathing |
| • | Avoid feet remaining hot and damp |
| • | Reduce time spent wearing sneakers/runners |
| • | Change sweaty socks and shoes after sport |
| • | Wear cotton or woollen socks |
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Wear sandals or shoes that don’t make feet hot and sweaty |
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what
is it?
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Tinea
is a common infection of the skin due to a fungus. Tinea on the scalp and body
is called ringworm and tinea on the feet is known as athlete’s foot. It
is very uncommon in children under the age of two years.
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where
does it occur?
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In
the scalp, tinea appears as small patches of hair loss with some scaling. On
the body it can look like ringworm with a clear centre and a red and scaling
ring around the outside. On pigmented skin this may be more purple or brown
than red. On the feet, it can cause itch and splitting between the toes or just
a small amount of redness or brown discolouration and scaling on the sole. When
tinea occurs in the nails there may be yellow or white colour change in the
nail, lifting up at the end of the nail and the development of crusting underneath
it.
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what
causes it?
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Tinea
is an infection due to a fungus. The fungus can be transmitted from one child
to another, particularly the type that causes the classical ringworm on the
body or in the scalp. This type of tinea can also be transmitted from kittens
and puppies. There is a different fungus causing tinea in the feet. This is
frequently present in and around shower basins, swimming pools or other communal
bathing areas. Young children can pick up tinea in their feet at home from parents
or older siblings who have tinea. Shoes such as runners/sneakers cause feet
to become warm and sweaty which makes tinea more likely. Tinea in the toenails
accompanies tinea in the feet.
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how
is it prevented & treated?
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Ringworm
Tinea in the scalp and on the body is treated
with antifungal antibiotics prescribed by a doctor. Antifungal creams available
from the chemist may also be used. If your child has ringworm, pets such as
kittens and puppies should be examined by a vet.
Athlete’s
Foot
Tinea in the feet usually gets better using antifungal
creams or lotions available from the pharmacist. Carefully drying the skin of
the feet and between the toes after showering or swimming may prevent infection.
Reduce the time spent wearing sneakers/runners. Absorbent socks containing wool
or cotton are best to reduce the warm sweaty conditions, which increases the
risk of tinea infection in the feet. Tinea in the nails requires treatment with
special antifungal tablets prescribed by a doctor.
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further
information
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Your
Maternal and Child Health nurse.
Your pharmacist.
Your family doctor.
A dermatologist.
© 2002, Department of Dermatology, St. Vincent’s Hospital
Melbourne, Victoria Parade, Fitzroy, Victoria 3065 Australia.