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How do you treat ringworm in kids?
Ringworm in kids is a fungus, not a worm. How to spot the ring on skin or scalp, how it's treated, why steroid creams make it worse, and how to stop the spread.
The short answer
Ringworm is a common fungal skin infection that looks like a red, itchy ring with raised edges and a clearer, scaly center. On the body it's usually treated with an over-the-counter or prescription antifungal cream; on the scalp it needs prescription medicine by mouth. Avoid steroid creams, which can make it worse. Call the doctor if you think it's ringworm, and again if it gets redder, swollen or oozes pus.
Ringworm in kids is treated with antifungal medicine: a cream for a patch on the body, and prescription medicine taken by mouth when it's on the scalp. It's a common fungal infection, not a worm, and Nemours KidsHealth says the name comes from its look, a red ring or group of rings with clearer centers (What to Do About Ringworm, accessed November 13, 2026).
What it looks like on the skin
KidsHealth describes body ringworm this way:
- it starts as a red, scaly patch or bump
- it itches and feels uncomfortable
- it usually grows into a circle with raised, tiny bumps around the edge, often with a scaly middle
Parents often first notice it on an arm, the neck, the face or the trunk. Kids may have one ring or several, and the circle slowly gets bigger as the fungus spreads outward.
What it looks like on the scalp
Scalp ringworm is trickier. KidsHealth says it may begin as a round, reddish, pimple-like sore and then become patchy, flaky, scaly or crusty, so it can be mistaken for dandruff. It can bring swelling, soreness, redness, round bald patches and broken hairs. Any bald patch with flaking on a child's head deserves a doctor's look.
Same fungus, different names
The fungi behind ringworm cause other familiar rashes, too. KidsHealth notes that on the feet it's called athlete's foot, and in the groin it's called jock itch. Older kids who play sports or use locker rooms are more likely to pick these up.
Treatment
KidsHealth's advice is to call your doctor if you think your child has ringworm and to follow the treatment plan carefully. Depending on the type and location, that may be:
- Antifungal cream for the skin, over-the-counter or prescription. Spread it over the ring and a little past the edge, as the label or doctor directs.
- Prescription oral medicine for the scalp, because creams can't reach the fungus inside the hair roots.
Creams often need to be used for a couple of weeks, and it's common to keep going for a while after the ring fades, so the fungus doesn't come back. Ask your doctor how long to continue.
The cream not to use
KidsHealth warns against putting creams or ointments that contain steroids on ringworm, because they can make it worse. Steroid creams like hydrocortisone calm many itchy rashes, so it's an easy mistake. A ring that seemed to shrink and then spreads may be a sign the wrong cream was used. Check labels in the family medicine cabinet.
Picking and itching
KidsHealth suggests discouraging your child from picking at the patch, because scratching can lead to a different, bacterial infection. Short nails help, as do loose cotton clothes over the area. A plain bandage can keep little fingers off a patch on the arm or leg.
Call the doctor again if the area gets redder, swollen or develops pus.
How kids catch it
Ringworm spreads by touch: skin-to-skin contact with someone who has it, sharing items, or touching pets. Kittens and puppies are well-known carriers; a patch of missing fur on a pet is worth showing the vet. Kids who wrestle or play close-contact sports are more exposed.
Preventing ringworm
KidsHealth's prevention list for kids:
- don't share combs, brushes, hair accessories, pillows or hats
- don't share phones or headphones
- wear flip-flops at the pool and in locker room showers
- wash sports clothing regularly
- shower after contact sports
- wash hands well and often
At home during an outbreak, use a separate towel for the child with ringworm, wash pillowcases and hats in hot water, and keep the rest of the family's hairbrushes apart.
A simple treatment log
Because creams are used for weeks, it helps to keep track:
- Mark each application on a calendar, morning and night.
- Take a phone photo of the ring on day 1, day 7 and day 14 to see whether it's shrinking.
- Note any new rings, and where they appeared.
- Write down any questions for the doctor as they come up.
Photos are especially useful if the ring looks different in the doctor's office lighting, or if you're asked whether it has changed. If it isn't clearly smaller after about two weeks of steady treatment, or new patches keep appearing, call the doctor; it may need a different medicine or a closer look.
School and activities
Many schools and sports programs let kids attend once treatment has started, with the patch covered. Check your program's rule, and let coaches of wrestling or martial arts know, since they often have specific requirements.
Explaining it to your child
The word "worm" alarms kids. Clear it up early: "It's not a worm. It's a tiny fungus, kind of like a mushroom, that likes skin. The cream stops it." Give your child a job, like reminding you when it's cream time, to make treatment feel like teamwork.
If a scalp patch means a doctor visit or medicine for weeks, a personalized book about brave doctor visits can help a nervous child. See the hospital book and our guide to head lice in kids for the other scalp problem schools send notes about.
Related reading
FAQ
Is ringworm contagious?
Yes. It spreads through touch, shared items and pets, so keep towels, brushes and hats separate during treatment.
Can I use hydrocortisone on ringworm?
No. Steroid creams can make ringworm worse. Use an antifungal your doctor recommends.
How long until ringworm goes away?
With the right antifungal, skin patches usually improve within a couple of weeks; scalp ringworm takes longer and needs prescription medicine.
