Avoid Classroom Infestations of Ringworm

How to Keep Teachers Safe from Infection by Ringworm

Mar 24, 2009

Teachers are always at risk for infections. There are steps that can be taken to keep teachers safe from infection and avoid classroom infestation of ringworm.

In order to prevent ringworm infection in the classroom and keep teachers safe from infection, it is important to know what ringworm is. Ringworm is not caused by a worm at all. It is actually a fungal infection that produces a red, circular skin rash. The rash can appear to be one small ring or several separate C-shapes. It can be dry and scaly or wet and crusty. All types of ringworm infection will cause itching and irritation. Ringworm on the scalp will cause a bald spot with the infection in the center.

Ringworm is easily spread by touch and can be transmitted from animals to humans. Animals with ringworm will often have a bald patch where the infection is.

Keeping Teachers Safe from Infection of Ringworm

Ringworm is easily transmitted by skin to skin contact. The best way to keep teachers safe from infection is to limit this type of contact. If a student is suspected of having ringworm, the teacher should not touch the rash or apply ointments, but should send the student to the school nurse.

Avoid Classroom Infestation of Ringworm

The best way to avoid classroom infestation of ringworm is by ensuring that even unnoticed infections can’t spread.

Any student with an active ringworm infection should be sent home for treatment. Once treatment has begun it is usually okay for the student to return to class, even if the infection is still visible.

Treatment of Ringworm

Ringworm can be easily treated by prescription or over-the-counter products. A doctor can prescribe cream, powder or anti-fungal medication for the treatment of ringworm. Creams are usually available over-the-counter at any pharmacy. Once treatment has begun, it will usually take 7-14 days for the rash to completely disappear.

An important thing to remember when treating ringworm is that if there are pets in the household, they should be checked for infection and treated as well. Children that often cuddle or sleep with pets, particularly dogs, can be infected with ringworm again and again if the infection is not handled correctly.

There are ways to keep teachers safe from infections that are common in people who work in close contact with students. Keeping teachers safe from infection of ringworm can be easy when teachers are well informed. Also available is information for teachers to prevent classroom infestation of head lice and pinworms.

The copyright of the article Avoid Classroom Infestations of Ringworm in Teacher Tips/Training is owned by Marissa Carter. Permission to republish Avoid Classroom Infestations of Ringworm in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.