According to the Seattle Children's Hospital, ringworm stops being contagious after 48 hours of treatment. While undergoing treatment, a person can cover the lesion to help prevent it from coming into contact with other people or objects in the environment.
If someone in your family has a fungal infection, there is no need for them to stay off work or school. However, treatment should be started as soon as possible. Good personal hygiene should also be followed to stop it spreading to other children.
Children with ringworm should not participate in close contact PE or sports activities. Exclusion from school is not required, but treatment is still recommended.
Anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks in most routine cases, says Dr. Kadaj. Did you know ringworm is related to athlete's foot and jock itch?
Ringworm is highly contagious, and it spreads easily from person to person (and even from animal to person). Athlete's foot (tinea pedis) and jock itch (tinea cruris) are caused by the same organism as ringworm. It's called ringworm when it appears on other parts of your body.
After 48 hours of treatment, ringworm does not spread to others at all.
Treat all ringworm at the same time.
If you treat only one area, you'll still have a ringworm infection. The infection can quickly spread to other areas again. Because ringworm is very contagious, you can also spread ringworm to other people.
All bedding, brushes, combs, rugs, cages, etc. should be vacuumed, scrubbed, and washed with hot water, detergent, and 1:100 chlorine laundry bleach, or another effective disinfectant (see above). It is best to throw out any items that cannot be thoroughly disinfected. Walls, floors, lamps, etc.
However, studies suggest that almost any household cleaner (e.g. 409®, Fantastik®, Simple Green®, Clorox® Anywhere®) that is labeled claiming fungicidal action against Trichophyton mentagrophytes can be effective as long there is at least a 10 minute contact time.
The fungus can survive on contaminated objects for long periods of time, sometimes up to 18 months.
The fungi that cause ringworm thrive in warm, moist areas. Poor hygiene and long-term wetness of the skin create a perfect environment and raise the risk for a fungal infection.
Anyone can get ringworm, but people who have weakened immune systems may be especially at risk for infection and may have problems fighting off a ringworm infection.
Let it breathe. It may seem logical to keep ringworm covered with a bandage to prevent spreading the infection. However, bandaging the rash locks in moisture and slows the healing process. Instead, wear comfortable, breathable clothes to speed healing and avoid spreading the rash to other people.
It's called “ringworm” because it can cause a circular rash (shaped like a ring) that is usually red and itchy. Anyone can get ringworm. The fungi that cause this infection can live on skin, surfaces, and on household items such as clothing, towels, and bedding.
Use Lysol disinfectant spray heavily on anything that can't be washed (furniture, cat trees, etc.) Frequently vacuum to rid the house of infected hairs and skin cells. (Yes, the fungus can survive on hair and skin that your cat sheds!) What Can Happen If Ringworm Is Left Untreated?
A scaly ring-shaped area, typically on the buttocks, trunk, arms and legs. Itchiness. A clear or scaly area inside the ring, perhaps with a scattering of bumps whose color ranges from red on white skin to reddish, purplish, brown or gray on black and brown skin. Slightly raised, expanding rings.
Take a shower or bath every day (especially after playing sports and sweating) and dry off completely. Wear clean clothing. Change your clothes every day. Use clean towels and don't share towels or clothes.
From the environment.
The fungi that cause ringworm can live on surfaces, particularly in damp areas like locker rooms and public showers.
Bleach diluted 1:10 will kill 80 percent of fungal spores with one application and any surface that can be bleached, should be bleached.
Myth 5: Ringworm isn't contagious
In fact, the opposite is true. Ringworm spreads easily from person to person, especially in communal areas like locker rooms and neighborhood pools. Ringworm is so contagious, in fact, that you don't even have to touch someone to get infected.
Ringworm is very common, especially among children, and may be spread by skin-to-skin contact, as well as via contact with contaminated items such as hairbrushes or through the use of the same toilet seat as an infected individual.
What are the incubation and contagious periods? Incubation period: 1 to 3 weeks but can be shorter. Contagious period: A child with ringworm of the skin is infectious as long as the fungus remains present in the skin lesion. The fungus is no longer present when the lesion starts to shrink.
Ringworm spreads through direct contact with infected skin or fungal spores. The spores can live on fabrics, including clothing, couch cushions, bedding, and other porous surfaces.
Don't share clothes or towels with someone who has ringworm. If you play sports, keep your gear and uniform clean -- and don't share them with other players. Wash your hands with soap and water after playing with pets.
Because the fungi can live indefinitely on the skin, recurrences of ringworm are likely. Treatment may need to be repeated. If you have ringworm symptoms, see your healthcare provider for treatment recommendations. It is important to note that common home remedies do not effectively treat this condition.