Ringw​orm

​Ringworm is a common fungal skin infection that causes a rash like ‘ring’ on your baby’s skin. Ironically enough, it has nothing to do with worms. Ringworm commonly affects arms and legs, but it can appear almost anywhere on the body. Ringworm occurs in people of all ages, but it is particularly common in children. It occurs most often in warm, moist climates. 

Ringworm is contagious and can be passed from person to person by contact with infected skin areas or by sharing personal care items such as combs. The infection can also affect dogs and cats, and pets may transmit the infection to humans as well. It is common to have several areas of ringworm at once in different body areas.

The symptoms of a fungal infection depend on where the infection is. Following are some of the common symptoms:

  • a red or silver ring-like rash on your baby’s skin

  • skin will look red and irritated around the ring, but healthy inside

  • scaly, itchy and inflamed skin

  • rings may feel slightly raised and the skin underneath may be itchy

  • blisters and sores may form around the rings, sometimes filled with pus

Ringworm on the face and neck may not appear ring-shaped, but may be itchy and swollen, and it can become dry and crusted. Ringworm on the hand causes the skin to become thicker on the palm and in between the fingers. It may affect one hand or both and normally only appears on one side.​

​If your child is experiencing any of the above symptoms, please make an appointment to consult with one of our expert medical staff working with the Children’s Hospital Services at The Aga Khan University Hospital. You can be assured of receiving multidisciplinary care under one roof at the only internationally accredited hospital in Pakistan.​
Your time with your doctor maybe limited, so make sure to prepare for your visit beforehand. Here are some tips to help get you started.​

Ringworm is usually easy to diagnose from its appearance and location on your baby’s body. Your doctor working with the Children’s Hospital Services at The Aga Khan University Hospital will form a diagnosis after a physical examination. He or she may also take a small scraping of skin from the affected area to test in a laboratory. This is not a painful procedure. 

Further tests will usually only be needed if your symptoms are severe or if they fail to respond to conventional antifungal treatment. 

In this situation, skin scrappings from the affected site may be taken for fungus microscopy and culture to determine the exact fungus causing your baby’s infection.

Disclaimer: Kindly consult your physician before getting the above-mentioned tests.​

Most fungal infections, including ringworm, are easily treated by using antifungal medications. Some other ways to treat and prevent ringworm in your baby are:

  • washing affected areas of your baby’s skin daily and drying it thoroughly

  • changing your baby’s inner garments like underwear/socks daily

  • not sharing combs, hairbrushes or hats

  • washing clothes, towels and bed linen frequently

  • dressing your baby in loose-fitting clothes, preferably made of cotton or other natural materials​​

The Aga Khan University Hospital offers various support services to help with managing or recovering from the disease or condition. These include but are not limited to nutrition, physiotherapy, rehabilitation, specialized clinics and some patient support groups. Your doctor or nurse will advise you accordingly.

The Aga Khan University Hospital offers financial assistance to those who are in need and fulfil the eligibility criteria. For further information, you can contact the Patient Welfare Department. You can find the contact number of the Patient Welfare Department in the ‘Important Numbers’ section on the website homepage.

The financial counselling staff is available during office hours, at the main PBSD (Patient Business Services Department), to answer your financial queries on treatments’ costs and authorize admissions on partial deposit as per hospital policies allow. The financial counsellor in the emergency room is open 24/7. You can find the contact number of the Patient Business Services in the ‘Important Numbers’ section on the website homepage.​

Your doctor and or nurse will give you specific instructions about the prescribed medication. Please ensure that you take or use the prescribed medicine as advised. It can be dangerous to your health if you self-prescribe. Please inform the doctor or nurse beforehand if you have experienced any adverse reactions to any medications in the past. If you experience any symptoms of drug poisoning, overdose or severe reaction please contact the Pharmacy Service at The Aga Khan University Hospital immediately. You can find the contact number of the Pharmacy Services in the ‘Important Numbers’ section on the website homepage.​
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The information provided on our website is for educational purposes and not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You should always seek the advice of your doctor or other healthcare professional provider.