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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffIf your child has a condition affecting his or her scalp, you'll likely start by seeing your family doctor or child's pediatrician. You may be referred to a skin specialist (dermatologist).
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, such as:
- When did you first notice symptoms?
- What did the scalp look like when symptoms first appeared?
- Is the rash painful or itchy?
- What, if anything, makes the condition better or worse?
- Do you have any pets at home, or has your child been around farm animals?
- Does another family member or a pet already have ringworm?
- Do you know of any cases of ringworm in your child's school?
Questions for your doctor
Questions you might be prepared to ask your doctor include:
- If this is ringworm, what can we do to prevent the infection from spreading?
- What hair care routines do you recommend while the condition heals?
- When can my child return to school?
- Should I schedule a follow-up appointment for my child?
- Should I make appointments for my other children even if they aren't showing signs or symptoms right now?
- Goldstein AO, et al. Dermatophyte (tinea) infections. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 17, 2010.
- Andrews MD, et al. Common tinea infections in children. American Family Physician. 2008;77:1415.
- Levy M, et al. Dermatophytes and other superficial fungi. In: Long S, et al., eds. Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/226852420-3/1084137919/1679/259.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06687-0..50258-7--cesec1_4588. Accessed Nov. 16, 2010.
- Ringworm and animals. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/diseases/ringworm.htm. Accessed Nov. 16, 2010.
- Dermatophytes (ringworm). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/divisions/dfbmd/diseases/dermatophytes/. Accessed Nov. 16, 2010.
- Andrews RM, et al. Skin disorders, including pyoderma, scabies, and tinea infections. Pediatric Clinics of North America. 2009;56:1421.
- Griseofulvin. National Center for Biotechnology Information. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000641. Accessed Nov. 18, 2010.
- Terbinafine. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/print/lexicomp/terbinafine.html. Accessed Nov. 18, 2010.
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