A member asked:

We have ringworm in our classroom and it is spreading what can we do our teacher has it in three spots a child has it 2 spots and myself has it 2 times

A doctor has provided 1 answer
Dr. Howard Fox answered

Specializes in Podiatry

Ringworm : Ringworm is a fungal infection, no different from an athlete's foot. It's contagious, but not overly contagious. You can't get a fungal infection from someone else without also being susceptible to the fungus, and not everyone is, and not all body parts are equally susceptible. It's easily treated with over-the-counter anti-fungal creams like lamisil, lotrimin, tinactin (tolnaftate) and others. The problem occurs when people see it's all cleared up in a few days and then stop using the cream. Fungal spores live for 30 days, and they don't wash out of clothing, shoes, etc. So unless the infected kids and teacher keep using the cream for 30 days or even a little longer, they'll keep reinfecting themselves. It's not like scabies or head lice, and there is no need to keep your child out of school because of it. But all this information is predicated on it being accurately diagnosed, and it's not scabies or some other infestation which is very contagious. Hope this helps.

Answered 10/3/2016

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