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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffYour doctor will determine if your child has ringworm or another skin disorder, such as seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis. He or she will ask about possible exposure to contaminated areas or contact with people or animals with ringworm.
Your doctor may take skin scrapings or samples of a few hairs plucked from the infected area and examine them under a microscope. If a sample shows fungi, treatment includes an antifungal medication. If the test is negative but your doctor still suspects ringworm, a sample may be sent to a lab for further testing. Your doctor may also order tests if your child's condition doesn't respond to treatment.
- Goldstein AO, et al. Dermatophyte (tinea) infections. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 24, 2008.
- Habif TP. Superficial fungal infections. In: Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2004. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/104355536-2/742469442/1195/81.html?printing=true. Accessed Nov. 24, 2008.
- Andrews MD, et al. Common tinea infections in children. American Family Physician. 2008;77:1415.
- Lamisil approved to treat scalp ringworm in children. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/lamisil100907.html. Accessed Nov. 24, 2008.
- Ringworm and animals. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/diseases/ringworm.htm. Accessed Nov. 24, 2008.
- Verma S, et al. Superficial fungal infection: Dermatophytosis, onychomycosis, tinea nigra, piedra. In: Wolff K, et al. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2996600&searchStr=tinea+capitis. Accessed Nov. 24, 2008.
