Ringworm misdiagnosed as eczema :(

So about seven months ago our guinea pigs had a bout of ringworm. My 8 yr old also had it near his eye. My 1 yr old had a suspicious patch on his back but when I went to the gp with the 8 yr old ( because it was so close to his eye) she told me she didn't think it was ring worm on the one yr old and was dermatitis. So we treated the pigs, the 8yr old and I used moo goo for a few weeks on Rohans back. All good except this patch on rohan. Went back to the gp who said it was a classic looking discoid eczema and gave us cortisone to treat it. Again a few weeks past with it appearing to clear up only to flare up every so often with a larger patch. At his needles a different gp to our usual also said eczema, not that bad just keep at it with the cortisone. A couple
Of weeks later its still not really responding but getting larger. It went from a large fifty cent piece size to covering his entire lower back up to his shoulder blades and making its way around to his tummy. But he was never bothered by it, it seemed to get better to a degree only to flare up and have spread. I started question what it was and if other treatment would be better, salt baths etc. so at the gp again and she agreed it should have responded by now. I asked to be referred to dermatologist. Had that appointment yesterday and its bloody ring worm! I have been feeding it with the cortisone all This time! Dermo wants me to put him on the tablets to treat, one tab a day for a month and review in three weeks. How ever, I need to report if head aches or tummy upset occurs. I also need to keep him out if the sun. But given his age I don't know how I would know of he has a head ache and we live in cairns and he is A fair skinned red head! I have the tablets but I don't think his back is that extensive an area that I can't treat it topically and the chemist agree'd that topically would be better so going to hit it hard for a week and see if it responds before using the tablets. Apparently it's a pretty common mistake to make with fungal infections so I don't blame the gp but I am so glad that it hasn't been bothering him also. Could you imaging 7 months of ringworm!

Glad you have a proper diagnosis now, I hope the cream workds. Remember to keep applying it for a while even after the rash disappears

DD3 had something and the GP wasnt 100% sure so he suggested hydrazole which is an antifungal and a low dose cortisone cream combination

My DD had a similar problem a couple of years ago. The dr recommended using a broad spectrum (eg canesten) cream, used in the following way: before they go to bed, spread a thick layer over the affected area. Then cover it with a non-absorbent covering (we used gladwrap as it was on dd's leg, so easy enough to wrap and tape). This technique makes the skin soak up more of the active ingredient, so it works more quickly. We did it every night for a few nights followed by every second night until it was all clear. I would try this for a week in preference to oral antifungal a as they are nasty. You will know within a week if it is working or not, and if not you can try the tablets instead.

We have had ringworm go through our kids too. Topical cream and two months of oral tablets to fix it. It was around for about 3 months before a proper diagnosis as we couldn't get into to a dermatologist-waiting list is months here. When we did get in he took a photo of it to send to his colleagues as he said it was a 'perfect specimen' I guess if your gonna have ringworm - at least we were really good at it :)

DD1 also had issues with it a few years back, the only thing that worked from memory was daktarin

FJ - just wanted to pop back in and find out how this is going. Did you run with a topical treatment and are you getting any signs it's working yet?

Yeah I have been applying cream three times a day and washing it morning and night with a anti fungal wash and its angry looking but also drying out which I think is a good sign . I'm actually sitting in the gp office now for something else so will double check with her while I'm here