Ringworm of the body. - Ringworm of the body usually occurs as from one to a dozen red rings varying in size from a half-inch to an inch and one-half in diameter. In the beginning the lesions are usually solid discs, but within a few days after their appearance they clear in the center, thus forming a circle. This characteristic is responsible for the common name of the disorder. The lesions may be of the dry type, there being only redness and scaling, or they may be of the moist type, in which case there are little blisters at the outer edge of the ring, the blisters later becoming small crusts.
One type occurs with about the same frequency as the other, and in any given instance the lesions are entirely of one type. There are itching and other sensations in the body eruption, but they are usually mild. Ringworm of the body is commonly but not always contracted from the handling of cats, dogs, and other pets whose hairs are infected with the fungi. If there are several children in the family, usually more than one is affected and not uncommonly the mother or nurse also. This type of ringworm responds readily to the proper local preparations.
Since the infected child may pass the condition on to others, he should be isolated until treated.
Ringworm of the scalp
Ringworm of the hands, feet, crotch, and armpits
by Clark W. Finnerud
Common Skin Diseases of Children
