My four year old boy has a rash shaped like a ring in his armpit. What could it be?

Question

It doesn't seem to bother him too much--it just appeared. But he won't let us go near it to try to investigate.

Answer 1

Almost certainly ringworm.

Ringworm appears as a small ring of raised, reddened skin. It is not actually caused by a worm; it is a fungal infection. The ring will expand over time, leaving the skin inside the ring brownish or discolored.

Ringworm is caused by the same fungus that causes athlete's foot, and can be treated the same way. As a pharmacist for the best treatment for ringworm - you can buy the ointment over the counter; you do not need a prescription.

See the link below for more information

Answer 2

Ringworm, also known as Tinea, is a contagious (excluding tinea versicolor[1]) fungal infection of the skin. Contrary to its name, ringworm is not caused by a worm.

Ringworm is very common, especially among children, and may be spread by skin-to-skin contact, as well as via contact with contaminated items such as hairbrushes. Ringworm spreads readily, as those infected are contagious even before they show symptoms of the disease. Humans can contract ringworm from animals; cats and dogs are often carriers. It should be noted that any contact sports such as wrestling have a risk of contracting the fungal infection through skin-to-skin contact.





Types
A number of species of fungi cause ringworm. Dermatophytes of the genera Trichophyton and Microsporum are the most common causative agents. These fungi attack various parts of the body and lead to the following conditions:

Tinea corporis affects the arms, legs, and trunk
Tinea capitis affects the scalp
Tinea cruris (jock itch) affects the groin area
Tinea pedis (athlete's foot) affects the feet
Tinea unguium affects the fingernails and toenails
Tinea versicolor
Tinea manuum affects the hands and palm area

Symptoms and Diagnosis
The best known sign of ringworm is the appearance of one or more red raised itchy patches with defined edges, not unlike the herald rash of Pityriasis rosea. These patches are often lighter in the center, taking on the appearance of a ring. If the infected area involves the scalp or beard area, then bald patches may become evident. The affected area may become itchy for periods of time. If the nails are affected, they may thicken, discolor, and finally crumble and fall off.

Doctors can diagnose ringworm on sight, or they may take a skin scraping. This is examined under a microscope, or put on an agar plate in a microbiology laboratory and allowed to grow. Some of the fungi fluoresce under a black light examination.


Treatment
Topical antifungal drugs containing miconazole and clotrimazole, available by prescription or over the counter, are used to clear up the infection. According to Living Well on a Shoestring by the editors of Yankee Magazine, a folk remedy for ringworm is cider vinegarwater. Another alternative is tea tree oil. Fungal infections may take a while to clear up.

www.wikipedia.com

Answer 3

It very well could be "ring worm."
Take him to a Doctor to be sure.
If it is ring worm, the Doc will tell
what to do for your son and what
to use to clean your house and
bedding. Ring worm usually
occurs if there is an animal around
that you have petted and it has it.

Answer 4

If its ring shaped, especially in an area that stays moist, it could very well be ringworm, which is not a worm, but a fungus, and often acquired in public pools, etc. Try some Lotrimin cream and see if that helps.

Answer 5

Holy water Lots of Holy water. No really Its lots better then my son who thinks he is a catepiller and on monday eats apples, and tuesday wants blueberrys and so on until sunday when I have to take a leaf away from him . Now about the St Marks Place was on the History (or maybe it was vh11) channel the other day a history of rock or something just caught it out of th side of my ear as I was working. As for the cure time and transformers !!! Also look to see what tv is being watch at his school or day care. A lot and I mean a Lot of my childs problems originated at daycare so I changed daycares

Answer 6

It could be from a tick bite. Take him to the doctor and have him tested for Lyme disease. Doctors will usually put children on some form of antibiotic while they are waiting the few days for the test results.

It could also be ringworm -- worse than it sounds but you should take him to the doctor. I hope he's okay.

Answer 7

It sounds like ring worm he will be fine but it will spread he needs to see a doctor tell them you suspect ring worm they will get him right in and give him medicine that will clear it up

Answer 8

Sounds like a fungal infection probably caused by sweat. Could also be a heat rash. Talk to your physician.

Answer 9

Could possibly be ringworm, can try an antifungal OTC, like Lotrimin AF twice a day for 2 weeks, but if it is spreading then he should be seen.

Answer 10

Possible ring worm