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How Is Ringworm Infection On Vagina Treated ?

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Posted on Thu, 19 Apr 2012
Question: How does a 4 year old girl get ringworm on her vaginal lips?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Deepak Anvekar (48 minutes later)
Hello XXXXXXX

Thanks for your query.

Ringworm occurs in people of all ages, but it is particularly common in children.

It is common to have several areas of ringworm at once in different body areas. It presents as a red rash of one or several red rings on her chest, stomach, thighs, or back. The rings will be crusty or scaly on the outside and smooth in the middle. They may also feel itchy. As the fungus grows, the rings get larger, ranging in size from a few millimetres to a few centimetres.

Ringworm infection caused by skin fungi can only live on the dead layer of keratin protein on top of the skin (Dry, and hairy skin) which is usually present all over the body including the skin over the lips over the vagina. But they rarely invade deeper into the body and cannot live on mucous membranes (Pink and moist surfaces), such as those inside the mouth or vagina.

Children less than 5 years can get the ringworm fungus through broken skin, such as a cut or scratch, from an infected person or pet, or from touching contaminated sheets, towels, toys or clothes. She could also have got it from infected soil if she was crawling or playing around in the garden or park.

Treatment of such infections can be with an over-the-counter antifungal cream, the same type of cream used for athlete's foot. Look for a product with one or two per cent of clotrimazole or miconazole. Apply the cream over and a little bit beyond the infected area twice a day. Ringworm should get better with treatment within about four weeks. Carry on treating it for a further one to two weeks once the rash has cleared.

I hope this helps.

Please feel free to forward any doubts or questions, if you have.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Follow up: Dr. Deepak Anvekar (22 minutes later)
is it safe to put the antifungal cream on her vaginal lips or should something else be used for in the vaginal area?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Deepak Anvekar (28 minutes later)
Hello XXXXXXX

Thanks for the follow up.

You can use the same cream mentioned above on her vaginal lips. Some brands available include Lotrimin AF cream (Clotrimazole), Canesten, Clotrimaderm , etc.

They will be effective to clear the infection as described above.

I hope this clears your doubts.

Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Deepak Anvekar (52 minutes later)
Is it possible for her to get it from a bathtub or a toilet?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Deepak Anvekar (15 minutes later)
Hello XXXXXXX

The fungus which causes ringworm infection can be passed on from any contact surfaces that can be contaminated with the fungus. This inludes surfaces like bathtub and toilet surfaces which might be unclean. But this is a less common source.

Clean, tidy and hygienic bathrooms and toilets are less likely to spread them.

The more common sources of infection would be from the soil while playing outdoors OR from another infected person, probably another kid at a playhome or due to sharing of things such as hairbrush, hat, bedclothes or towels

I hope this helps.

Regards.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Answered by
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Dr. Deepak Anvekar

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 336 Questions

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How Is Ringworm Infection On Vagina Treated ?

Hello XXXXXXX

Thanks for your query.

Ringworm occurs in people of all ages, but it is particularly common in children.

It is common to have several areas of ringworm at once in different body areas. It presents as a red rash of one or several red rings on her chest, stomach, thighs, or back. The rings will be crusty or scaly on the outside and smooth in the middle. They may also feel itchy. As the fungus grows, the rings get larger, ranging in size from a few millimetres to a few centimetres.

Ringworm infection caused by skin fungi can only live on the dead layer of keratin protein on top of the skin (Dry, and hairy skin) which is usually present all over the body including the skin over the lips over the vagina. But they rarely invade deeper into the body and cannot live on mucous membranes (Pink and moist surfaces), such as those inside the mouth or vagina.

Children less than 5 years can get the ringworm fungus through broken skin, such as a cut or scratch, from an infected person or pet, or from touching contaminated sheets, towels, toys or clothes. She could also have got it from infected soil if she was crawling or playing around in the garden or park.

Treatment of such infections can be with an over-the-counter antifungal cream, the same type of cream used for athlete's foot. Look for a product with one or two per cent of clotrimazole or miconazole. Apply the cream over and a little bit beyond the infected area twice a day. Ringworm should get better with treatment within about four weeks. Carry on treating it for a further one to two weeks once the rash has cleared.

I hope this helps.

Please feel free to forward any doubts or questions, if you have.

Regards.