How Can I Effectively (And Quickly) Get Rid of My 3 Yr Old's Ringworm?

Updated on August 19, 2007
N.P. asks from Lawrenceville, GA
14 answers

Please let me know what has worked for you in getting rid of your child's ringworm! My son has a patch on his arm and its driving him nuts! Many thanks in advance!

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

Thanks to all for the advice! I called the pediatrician, and like many of you, they have suggested using an antifungal cream, specifically, Lotrimin AF. They said it can take anywhere from 7-21 days to go away and it was important to continuing using the cream even when it starts looking better.

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.M.

answers from Savannah on

I have always used Blue Star Ointment. You can find it over the counter, in any drugstore. Sometimes it maybe hard to find. It has been on the market for awhile. I remember my mom using it when I was small. Blue Star Ointment has always seem to work for my kids. If you put it on the ringworm as soon as you see it, it quickly kills it within a few days. I have also heard of the antifungual cream or spray that you use for athletic feet works as well. I have not tried that yet.

Good Luck

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.Z.

answers from Savannah on

I don't really know what doctors say to use but I use a non toxic companies product and It may work Melaleuca oil is what it is. It is worth checking into. A. www.busymomsworkathome.com

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.G.

answers from Atlanta on

my 10 yr old had a bout with that. we used an anti-fungal medicine.( the same for athlete's foot). neosporin makes a good one. you just have to really be on top of it and making sure that the medicine gets puts on a couple of times a day.
if you would take him to the doctor, that is all he would probably prescribe anyway.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.H.

answers from Augusta on

If it is a ringworm then his ped should be able to call in some cream for you at the local pharmacy. My son had what looked like to be a ring worm on the back of his leg once when he was 2 and I asked his ped. to call in some cream and after about a week of the cream and noticing that not only was the cream not working but that it made the skin dry I decided to take him to the doctor and come to find out it was egzema.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.F.

answers from Atlanta on

I have used atheletes foot spray or cream tinactin or one of the others . It works !!! L.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.K.

answers from Savannah on

Well, even though this issue has been resolved for the original poster I wanted to add something for other moms reading it in the future.

Our son has had athletes foot. We used Tea Tree Oil Ointment, which did not work for him, although it DOES work for some people. (Unfortunately, he was in a phase where he was obsessed with wearing his shoes which kept the area too moist.) Many have mentioned using Lotrimin cream. After the ointment didn't work, our pediatrician prescribed a cream called Mentax, but our insurance would not cover it because they said that there was on over-the-counter product that would work just as well. We paid $80 for it! Turns out that Lotrimin Ultra has the same active ingredient, Butenafine Hydrochloride. Go with the Lotrimin. And, if it's athletes foot try an oral probiotic, too.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.C.

answers from Savannah on

My son has had ringworm before and the best way we found to get rid of it was putting an antifungal cream on it. We did it three times a day and it seemed to go away in a couple days. Hope this helps.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.C.

answers from Atlanta on

Alicia,
I have found that olive oil works well on children, becasue it's non-toxic. It effectively "suffocates" the fungus, and works rather quickly too (within a week) usually.

I would pour a bit into a soda cap, and hold it over the spot for a few seconds, and then just leave it alone. Do this a few times a day, and you should be good to go.

Also, iodine works rather well, but depending on what part of his arm it is, you wouldn't want him to put it in his mouth.

Hope this helps!
-D.
Mother of 3

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.H.

answers from Macon on

I've used lotrimin which is over the counter. It takes 2-3 weeks to completely go away. If not, the doc could prescribe prescription cream. If your child ever gets one in the scalp, he will need to see the doc to get an oral prescription.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.S.

answers from Albany on

Wipe the area clean with warm water and an antibacterial soap, then put a very small amount of clorox on a q-tip and rub it on the area. The fungus will start to die in a few minutes.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.R.

answers from Savannah on

unfortunatly it will take about 2 weeks to go away but you have to apply a lotion to it at least 2 times a day you can get a jock itch ointment from walmart or any where that sells it. That is what my doc told me to put on my sons. good luck with it and keep your area uncovered so it can dry up that is what the lotion does for it. do not rub it or scratch it it can spread. that is one of the few things that can be transfered from cats to humans clip the cats nails and keep them clean that is how it is sperad also.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.N.

answers from Atlanta on

My son has it too. I found that black walnut works when taken both internally and externally. His is in his groin area so it is taking a lot longer to go away because of the moisture. The key to a fungas is keeping it dry!!
Let me know if you find something that works

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.A.

answers from Athens on

My daughter had a ringworm on her arm and i thought it was a patch of her eczema. So i put her ointment on it (Triamcinolone) and it made it spread! Big mistake. So her doc told me to go to the store and get this antifungus cream called Lotrimin and the bumps cleared up in about 2 days. U could still see a little of a light spot from where it was and it took a while to go away but the actual ringworm went away very quickly.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.J.

answers from Athens on

I've always heard lotramin cream works it's what my dr suggests.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions