You may notice that your baby is itching the areas where the rash is. Ringworm may be confused with some kinds of eczema in infants. Ringworm is more common in children in school than in babies.
You should make sure to take your baby to the doctor if the ringworm is on the scalp. Never try to treat your baby’s ringworm at home first before taking her to the doctor. You might misdiagnose the ringworm or not use a remedy strong enough to get rid of it, which could cause the condition to worsen. Not all medicines are approved for infants. Your doctor will recommend those approved for your baby. Some cases of ringworm may present cause for immediate medical treatment. Seek medical treatment if your baby’s ringworm has any pus coming from the rash or redness around the rash, the rash is still spreading after a week of treatment, the rash has persisted for more than four weeks, your child has additional spots popping up on her body, or your child’s condition worsens.
If your doctor doesn’t tell you which cream to use, you should ask him to recommend or prescribe an antifungal cream. Make sure to write down your doctor’s instructions for treating your baby carefully so you can treat it correctly at home.
Use the cream twice a day. Make sure to keep using the cream for a week after the rash has cleared up or until your doctor tells you to stop. It usually takes two to three weeks to completely clear up. Make sure to wear gloves when you apply the cream. This will minimize your chance of catching ringworm or spreading it to other family members. If you don’t wear gloves, wash your hands thoroughly before and after applying the cream — including under the nails. You may also use antifungal lotions or powders.
The doctor will probably also give you a special shampoo to wash your baby’s hair with to help get rid of the fungus and reduce contagiousness.
You can do this two times a day. You can also use garlic oil. Add two to three drops of garlic oil to four tablespoons of almond oil. Apply the mixture on the rash. Leave for 10 minutes, and then rinse with warm water. You can do this two times a day. Make sure to test any paste or oil mixture on a small patch of your baby’s skin before using it. Your baby’s skin may too sensitive for the garlic. Make sure that you consult your doctor before using any natural, at-home remedies.
You can apply coconut oil once every day.
Try using a disinfectant, like Lysol, or another safe cleanser that will get rid of fungi or that has antifungal properties. If your baby has ringworm on the scalp, you want to make sure to disinfect or toss out any items that come in contact with her hair or head. This includes combs, brushes, hair bows, headbands, or hats. [6] X Research source To avoid ringworm, discourage any sharing of hair or head items with children who are not family members. You should also wash and sanitize any towels you use to dry your baby’s hair or head. Wash the child’s bedding in hot water to get rid of any fungus that may have been transferred.
If you believe your baby got ringworm at daycare, you may want to discuss with the child care providers what measures they are taking to ensure that your baby stays safe.
If your baby got ringworm from an animal, she will not be able to transfer it to another human because it is a different type of ringworm.
Your baby may also get ringworm from pets since dogs and cats both carry ringworm fungus. Ringworm is usually no longer contagious after about 48 hours of treatment.
