Ringworm? Stethoscope at the doctor's practice responsible?

[Ano]

Hello mummies,

Today while bathing my baby (5 months) I realized that what I thought to be skin irritation on his tummy after friction/ crawling a lot is likely a ringworm (see picture). I frantically googled about the causes and treatments. All sources mention that the cause is likely a contact with a person or animal with the infection or an object they've touched. Incubation time is said to be 4-10 days.

However, we haven't come into contact with anyone or any pets in the last 12 days (except the pediatrician, see below), being extremely busy with endless Zoom meetings (we're both doing home office). We didn't go out except for groceries (twice). As usual, I sprayed the groceries in the hall, cleaned them with antibacterial wipes, and washed fruits and veggies with warm soapy water (I know I might sound crazy to you, but that's not the point right now 😥). Even when we're only at home, we often wash our hands before touching the baby.

The only person we (the baby) came into contact with during this time is the pediatrician for a routine check-up. I've already written a post before that the pediatrician did not sterilize his hands before touching my baby, and I was afraid that his hands might be contaminated with germs/ virus/ bacteria from the door knob and/ or keyboard. I also didn't see him sterilize the stethoscope, and there is no way I could know if he/ the nurse had done it before we came in. Of course, my baby was checked with the stethoscope, and it was exactly there that the ringworm appears. I highly suspects that my baby contracted the ringworm at the doctor's practice 😭.

AIBU?

For now, I'm putting Multilind, an anti-fungal cream that I got when my baby was a newborn and got a nappy rash (quickly cleared up). Any suggestion to get rid of ringworm fast?

And how can I tell the pediatrician next time to sterilize his hands and stethoscope before touching my baby without offending him/ being told to look for another pediatrician?

Thank you!

Yes it's very important not to sanitise everything. Child leukemia and hepatitis have both been linked to being too sterile.

This please use hot water only to clean your home - both my children have good healthy immune systems - I let them put stuff if their mouths - everything except milk bottles was hot boiling water and wipe down

I’m concerned that you haven’t left the house for 12 days, except to get groceries.

Hello OP. Have you always had these anxieties? Do you think they have come on stronger since having your baby? It might be worth having a chat with your doctor about it if you haven't already. Take care

1)That doesn't look like ringworm
2)That doesn't look a standard place for a stethoscope to go
3)Have you seen anyone about your healthcare anxiety/germ phobia?

Not ringworm, probably discoid eczema. Neither will have an impact upon your baby’s health and well-being comparable to your health anxiety. Please get help for yourself.

Could be a herald patch that develops with Pityriasis rosea.

You need help to manage your anxieties.

I'll voice what others have said, you're being way too cautious with cleaning everything. You really need to speak to a doctor about your anxiety.

OP this is not a good way to live....if you can call it living.

Honestly, you must seek support with your health anxiety, your baby will suffer brought up around this behaviour.

Retired doctor with postgrad dermatology qualification here. This is UNLIKELY to be ringworm. I am reluctant to be definite about this as the photo isn't the best possible quality (not a reflection on you, OP!) - it doesn't show the most typical ringworm features but without a clinical-grade photo, I can't promise you that they are NOT there. If that makes sense?

I think it's much more likely that this is just a little mild patch of eczema; discoid eczema, as a PP has mentioned.

Even if it were ringworm, it really doesn't matter. It wouldn't cause any lasting harm to your baby or to anyone else in the family. Ringworm is just a mild fungal skin infection, no more serious than athlete's foot, or jock itch. Any topical antifungal cream will help. You can buy such creams over the counter in the UK and will do no harm with them.

And in fact, a topical antifungal would help a small patch of eczema simply because it would moisturise the area, and that's what eczema needs. So I'd encourage you to put plenty of moisturiser on that area every time you bare your baby's tummy, and if you want to use the anitfungal twice a day as well, that won't hurt.

If what others have said is indeed the case that you're struggling a bit with dealing with your feelings over this sort of thing, and cleanliness/hygiene in general then I really really urge you to seek help with this, to make life a lot easier and happier for you and for your little one.

@ TomTraubertsBkues. Don't be ridiculous. I've been a qualified nurse for nearly 20 years. I wouldn't take my child to a&e for a red area on their back. They had a hypo, a blood sugar of 2.1 or Something (can't remember exactly now sorry), my child was on the bathroom shaking, unable to stand, that's why I went to a&e, after speaking to my GP. I was saying I noticed the red area on their back a few days AFTER our trip to a&e.

My DS had ringworm 1.5 years ago - we got some cream from the chemist and it cleared up quickly and never came back. If it is ringworm then it’s really not a big deal, so please don’t worry!

Yes, I misunderstood. I think you missed my follow up post.