Prevention

Ringworm is difficult to prevent because the fungi that cause it are common and highly contagious. You can help reduce the risk of ringworm by taking these steps:

• Educate yourself and others. Be aware of the risk of ringworm from infected persons or pets. Tell your children about ringworm, what to watch for and how to avoid the infection.
• Shampoo regularly. Be sure to wash your child's scalp regularly, especially after haircuts.
• Keep clean. Be sure your child washes his or her hands often to avoid the spread of infection. Keep common or shared areas clean, especially in schools, child care centers, gyms and locker rooms.
• Avoid infected animals. The infection often looks like a patch of skin where fur is missing. In some cases, though, you may not notice any signs of the disease. Ask your veterinarian to check your pets and domesticated animals for ringworm.
• Don't share personal items. Teach your children not to let others use their clothing, towels, hairbrushes or other personal items, or to borrow such items from other children.