Possible Ringworm

Updated on August 20, 2008
T.N. asks from Houston, TX
10 answers

My husband and I are in our 50's and we took in 4 children 2 1/2 years ago when CPS removed them from my niece. The 2 younger ones are now 4 and 6 and they each had what looked like a ringworm on their foot which they had for over a year when we got them. They have been to the dr. (on Medicaid) many times and have used ointments, sprays, oral medicine, you name it, we have probably tried it. Their dr. wants them to go to a dermatologist but all of the dermatologist that accept Medicaid only treat cancer and we are unable to pay a $200+ office visit to take them ourselves. Does anyone have any suggestions.

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So What Happened?

thanks to everyone for your kind words and suggestions. We have been using the antifungal spray and it seems to be helping. My concern is that it may make it better but then when we stop it will get worse again. I am going to try to find a dermatologist that will see them at a reduced rate. I will keep you posted.

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M.K.

answers from Houston on

Try this cream call blue star I know you probably have already tried many things but I know that this works to take the itch away and much more!! It may not get rid of it but it should stop it from getting any worst and to make it "nonactive" so to speak!!just try it I mean what have you got to lose!!Hope this helps and I wish they feel better!!

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C.S.

answers from Houston on

T.,

God bless you and your husband for taking in those kids. I would go to the pharmacist and ask them what to try. I use an antifungal cream when my kids and I get something that looks like ringworm. If you've already done that, check online for homeopathic remedies. Hope this helps.

C.

1 mom found this helpful
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E.L.

answers from Houston on

You most certainly CAN afford an office visit. It's called...get on the phone and tell them your predicament. It's work, but I'm telling you that there are specialists out there in every single field who will discount their rates (sometimes 100%) to help patients. If you CAN pay a hundred dollars, then tell them that, and ask to negotiate at that rate. This will take time and effort but the payoff will bless your young relatives who can't help themselves. God bless you for helping and caring for them, and don't ever give up. I know the $200+ office visit would scare the dickens out of me, but I know you'll find a competent individual with a generous heart.

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M.S.

answers from Houston on

Use a strong athelete's foot medication - I asked the pharmacist which was the best. It worked for my daughter's ringworm.

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J.S.

answers from Houston on

Ick, I used to work in health care and managed to pick it up on my face!! yuck. The meds prescribed burned my face so the doc recommended Lotrimin for athletes foot.

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S.L.

answers from College Station on

Im not sure where you live but Breath of Life is a place where you can get very inexpensive medical care. Sometimes I think they have "shot days" where they are $5 or even free.
It is off Mason Rd in Katy. I have some friends that do not have medical insurance and they take their children there. Let me know if you cant find info on it and I will ask my friends. God Bless.

A.W.

answers from Houston on

Hi T.,
First let me say I admire your courage & strength to take in these children. God bless you, you are doing a wonderful thing.
FYI, pinworms & ringworms are not the same thing. Ringworms are a fungal infection, whereas pinworms are actual worms that finds its way into the intestines. For the treatment of ringworms I've heard that creams & sprays for athlete's foot will work. Maybe try spraying their shoes with it too.
Is the area getting better & then returning or has it been there & stayed there without subsiding?
If you've tried all of the remedies for ringworm, maybe it's not ringworm. I suggest trying to get a 2nd opinion from another pediatrician if you can. If not, then speak to the kid's doctor & frankly tell him/ her that you cannot afford to take the kids to a dermatologist because all the one's you've found that accept Medicare, will only treat Medicare patients with cancer. It is a problem that the doctor needs to help you with! Be persistent because he needs to either find a dermatologist that can see the kids, or he needs to figure out what's going on.
You can also do a little investigation of your own either at the library with medical/ dermatology books (with photos) so that you can try to figure out what this is, or you can maybe research online.
I wish you all the best with this issue & with your new brood in general.
Sincerely,
A.

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K.G.

answers from Houston on

T.,
Try using Head & Shoulders shampoo. It contains an antifungal medicine that may help get rid of the ringworm. My son has a couple of spots that looked to me like they were ringworm. I took him to the doctor and was told that it is actually excema. I was told to use hydrocortisone cream on the area. It has helped.
Good Luck!

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M.R.

answers from Houston on

I think it's a shame that the dr.'s are not helping your family as much as they can. I remember at one point one of my boys had pinworms/ringworms. I can't remember which(they might be the same?) & I had to put the cream on there bottoms.(very near the crack) The dr. told me to do that at night because that's when the worms are more active(EEK! GROSS!) but It did take care of the problem. I wish I could remember the name of the cream, there has been so many through-out the yrs.! I hope this helps. I would also ask the pharmacist. If you get a good one, they sometimes know more about this stuff than the dr. Good Luck. You & your husband are doing an amazing thing.

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A.M.

answers from Houston on

Not something I heard, but what I've used in the past. Clean area with alcohol then apply antifungal cream. Any antifungal cream that is good for athletes foot/jock itch will do. Place a band aid over it if possible. I've seen them disappear within 1-3 days. It's key to rub the ointment around the outer edges because that's where the parasite is alive. Do not use antibacterial ointments.

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