Ringworm is a skin disease that may develop on any part of the body. It is not caused by a worm but by a fungus that is somewhat similar to the mould that is sometimes seen on a plate of cooked rice that has been allowed to stand overnight.

The disease is caught by coming into contact with the body, or with the clothing, towels, or bedding of some person who has ringworm. It is easily spread; so children who have ringworm on the body or on the head should not be sent to school until the disease is cured. The ringworm begins as a small red or brownish spot and spreads out on all sides. After a time the centre of the spot may return to the normal colour of the skin. When this happens the disease presents the appearance of a ring. The itching may be intense.

Treatment:

Apply Whitfield's ointment by rubbing lightly the affected part. In case of ringworm on a delicate skin area or on small children, use half strength Whitefield's oint­ment. If there is an extensive and stubborn condition; grisovin in dosages of one tablet three times a day for about three weeks will clear up the infection. Tincture of iodine applied once or twice will often destroy the infection.

Ringworm of the Scalp:

Ringworm of the scalp is com­mon among children. It causes the hair to turn white or to drop out. Large crusting sores are also formed on the head. Sometimes all of the hair on the head falls out.

Treatment for Ringworm of the Scalp:

Ringworm on the scalp cannot be cured without cutting the hair short. The best method is to shave the affected places. After shaving off the hair the same treatment may be used as was recommended above for severe cases of ringworm on the body. There is one form of ringworm of the scalp that is very difficult to cure and if the above methods do not cure, a physician should be consulted; otherwise the disease will progress and cause baldness.