

If you have pets or other animals that commonly carry ringworm, ask your veterinarian to check them for the infection.

The infection often looks like a patch of skin where fur is missing. Keep shared areas clean, especially in schools, child care centers, gyms and locker rooms. Be sure children wash their hands, including after playing with pets. Some scalp conditioning products, such as coconut oil and pomades with selenium, might help prevent ringworm of the scalp.

Be sure to wash your child's scalp regularly, especially after haircuts. Tell children about ringworm, what to watch for and how to avoid the infection. Be aware of the risk of ringworm from infected people or pets. Take these steps to reduce the risk of ringworm: The fungus that causes it is common, and the condition is contagious even before symptoms appear. Ringworm of the scalp is difficult to prevent. The condition may be caused by an overly vigorous reaction to the fungus and can lead to scarring and permanent hair loss. With kerion, the hair falls out or can be easily pulled out.

Kerion appears as soft, raised swellings that drain pus and cause thick, yellow crusting on the scalp. Some people with ringworm of the scalp may develop a severe inflammation called kerion. Kerion appears as soft, raised swellings that drain pus. Ringworm of the scalp can cause kerion - a severe, painful inflammation of the scalp. Children can get the infection by touching the animal. A pet, such as a cat or a dog, can have the infection without showing any signs. Outbreaks of ringworm are common in schools and child care centers where the infection easily spreads with close contact. Ringworm of the scalp is most common in toddlers and school-age children. Risk factors for ringworm of the scalp include: This includes items such as clothing, towels, bedding, combs and brushes. It's possible for ringworm to spread by contact with objects or surfaces that an infected person or animal has recently touched. Ringworm is fairly common in kittens, puppies, cows, goats, pigs and horses. Ringworm can spread while petting or grooming dogs or cats with ringworm. You can contract ringworm by touching an animal with ringworm. Ringworm often spreads through direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person. The condition can be spread in the following ways: The fungus attacks the outer layer of skin on the scalp and the hair. Ringworm of the scalp is caused by a common fungus.
