Ringworm? any experience?

[tab]

I went to the doctor yesterday having had what I first thought were insect bites, then worried that they might be chicken pox but kept appearing but only on my legs - weird to be told that its ringworm. Sounds revolting but Im assured its nothing like worms, not inside or anything but a fungal infection. Never had anything like it before. Red spots that dry up around the edges first and look like they're going to dry up and go away but dont. Has any body had this or has a child who's had it. Doctor has weirdly given me some shampoo for my legs! and also some lamasil tablets which Im not keen to take as am wanting to concieve. Any advice welcome or if you've got rid of it. Thinking that it would just go away, Ive had it 2.1/2 weeks already.

[alison222]

I had a patch once on my tummy of all places. Doctor gave me an anti- fungal cream to rub in. It went within about 5 days if I remember correctly

[tab]

Thanks for your message alison222. Mmm cream sounds like a better idea than shampoo. Yes tummy does seem like a strange place but doctor reckoned that it could just be the heat and having used perfumed shower gel or somehting that can cause it.

sorry thinking aloud here, but its very difficult to get shampoo to stay on your legs for the required 3 minutes. I hope the pharmacist packed the right thing!!

[stupidgirl]

I had it as a child, but they didn't diagnose it for months. I ended up in isolation in hospital (aged 7), missing a whole term of school and losing half my hair (it was on my head). All due to having some hedgehogs in the garden.

[stupidgirl]

Sorry, that wasn't awfully helpful to you was it...

[tab]

How awful for you stupidgirl. Why did they decide it was due to hedgehogs? Do you think they got that wrong. We've had foxes in our garden! I thought it was a bit weird when the doctor said it could be soap or shower gel and then clothes close to your skin in summertime - Ive never had any probs with that before (not that I wear particularly tight clothes or anything!)

[Lowryn]

I had ringworm in three sites when I was young. It was about the size of a 50p piece. It started as a few small itchy red spots and then spread out like a fairy ring (mushroom patch in garden) The doctor gave me some cream to rub in, and the thing I remember most was that the infected areas did not tan and I had white blotches on my cheek, wrist and arm all summer!
I was told I got it from my hamster, but have no idea if that was true!

[stupidgirl]

Tab, I seem to remember I quite liked all the attention actually (and the time off school, of course) Everyone in my class was forced to make me a get well card - I still have them all .

Back to the point...we had (and handled) hedgehogs in the garden at the time and they carried the infection. As I said, it took them months to diagnose, but they were fairly certain that was the cause of it. There are different types of ringworm carried by different animals - which is what flummoxed them for so long, they thought the type I had was from cattle...anyway, rambling again...

I would suggest the foxes were a more likely culprit, but what do I know...???

[stupidgirl]

I still have bald patches though...

[soapbox]

Tab - it really is nothing to worry about! It is the equicalent of having athletes foot on your leg . Us the medication and shampoo and you will be fine in no time at all!

[SofiaAmes]

It is however contagious, so you should make sure you wash your hands thoroughly after applying cream. My ds got it several times from my stepkids. Not a big deal.

[Metrobaby]

dd has had ringworm too. There was an epidemic going around at her nursery. We got rid of it by applying canestan cream twice a day and it soon went. Oddly enough no one else in the family got it although it is meant to be contagious

[tab]

Thanks for all your messages. I will keep applying the shampoo to my legs. Good job I've already had my holiday so no danger of me having to bare my legs in public!