Anyone had the joy of scalp ringworm while breastfeeding?

[JustOneMoreSliceOfCake]

My nan has recently had a nasty bout of ringworm on her scalp and I spend a lot of time with her. Woke up a few days ago with a redish patch on my scalp which has now got a dry skin looking crust over it. No hair loss yet but assuming I've caught it off her as it does look like scalp ringworm.
Having looked on nhs website there's nothing safe I can take while I'm breastfeeding to treat it. I've booked an appointment with my gp for Thursday but he's useless! Just looking for any experience/ advice.

I've had excellent advice about medication from the pharmacist working with the Breastfeeding Network. You can phone or email her - the details are here

I'm not sure if this is helpful or not but I'm a veterinary nurse and we see ringworm a lot in rabbits and guinea pigs. I've seen it treated with Chlorhexidine soap (often called 'Hibiscrub' and used as an anti-bacterial hand wash in hospitals). It can take a few weeks but it does seem to work and although I'm not sure, I doubt it would be unsafe to use during breastfeeding.

Perhaps ask your doctor if it's a worthwhile idea?

Thanks browneyesblue for the link :)
I think some kind of anti fungal wash will probably be my only option so will probably be something similar thanks littlefrenchonion ill keep it in mind :).
Had the worst few weeks! I've been on anti bs for a water infection and now I have the most awful thrush underneath and sore nipple possibly caused by thrush and now this in my hair! I need a break

I think you can use canesten cream on ringworm.

I had it on my legs when pregnant. I had some sort of cream.

You sound totally run down op.

Agree with pp about being run down.
Talk to the health shop, they can be very informative
I had thrush on nipples whilst bfeeding. 'Twas true agony. Caneston cream, I also washed before n after feeds.
Best of luck.

Raw garlix might help.

Garlic ...

Thanks everyone. I really am run down, had a few really nasty infections around Christmas and just haven't been the same since. I've also got an infection in my salivary gland and a problem with my jaw which is agony! Dh thinks it's time I was put down

We had a couple of bouts of scalp ringworm in our house, it was traumatic! My husband shaved his head because of it and ds caught it but managed to keep his lovely long locks. Thankfully my daughter and I avoided it but I had to put my foot down with the doctor who was reluctant to prescribe tablets. I had to take him a link to various websites before he would believe me!

I did a lot of research at the time and it seems topical treatments will only keep it at bay for a while. It needs to be treated with a course of antiviral tablets from the inside to kill the fungus. When the scales start coming loose they bring quite a bit of hair with them. Not sure about the breast feeding thing and antivirals though.
I also took horsetail from the health shop as that is supposed to help.

Newborn babies (usually prem) are given strong anti fungals intravenously if necessary, usually the same kind as the tablets adults take. And obviously at much higher doses than that which would come via milk. There are actually very few drugs that are genuinely contraindicated whilst breastfeeding but a whole heap that the manufacturers don't want to test on breastfeeding women so they recommend "caution". Ask your gp to check with someone who really knows about drugs, like a clinical pharmacologist (doctor who's sub specialised in drugs), they'd likely be a tablet that's actually ok.

There'd likely, not they'd!

I'm pretty sure coconut oil is a great antifungal and probably safe to use; my infant DS had a fungal scalp infection (really bad!) and we used coconut oil and it seemed to clear up well without needing strong creams. If it's for you to use then it should be safe for you.