Marla Ahlgrimm | RIngworm Doesn’t Have To Keep Your Daughter On The Sidelines

As the parent of a young female athlete, you're no stranger to accidents and injuries. However, there are other hazards that our daughters have to contend with, and these can be even more embarrassing than a black eye or bloody nose. Ringworm is one of these.

What Is Ringworm

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, ringworm, unlike its name might suggest, is not a worm but a fungal infection. It is not a serious condition, but one that’s highly contagious and can show up anywhere on the body, causing young female athletes to be self-conscious of their appearance. Girls who wrestle are especially prone to ringworm.

Recognizing Ringworm

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, ringworm usually looks like a scaly, circular rash with slightly raised edges. You can find it anywhere on the body, including the face, limbs, and scalp. Ringworm may cause itching, burning, dry, cracked, and scaly skin. Female athletes experiencing ringworm on the scalp may also experience temporary hair loss.

How Ringworm Is Spread

Ringworm is spread through contact with someone or something infected. In addition to wrestling, Marla Ahlgrimm says participating in gymnastics activities also increases the chance of transmission. Further, girls who share sports equipment, locker rooms, and showers (all areas that help the fungus grow) are at a greater risk. Marla Ahlgrimm says that a good rule of thumb is that any moist environment, especially those given exposure to bacteria in human or animal sweat and saliva, is a ringworm risk.

Treatment

Prompt treatment is crucial to helping prevent the spread of ringworm to teammates or family members, said Marla Ahlgrimm. Thankfully, most mild cases can easily be treated with an over-the-counter antifungal cream. In severe or persistent cases, your young athlete may be prescribed an oral antifungal.

Ringworm Avoidance

Marla Ahlgrimm says there may be no way for young female athletes to avoid ringworm. However, she stresses that proper hygiene of the body and sports gear can help reduce the probability of a ringworm infection. She recommends that girls who sweat during physical activity wear moisture-wicking garments. All female athletes should wear shower shoes in communal areas, keep their skin dry, when possible, and check for signs of ringworm often.

Marla Ahlgrimm says that most cases of ringworm clear up within four weeks using antifungal cream. However, young female athletes may be exposed multiple times throughout a season. She says that diligence and hygiene are key to keeping your daughters from experiencing the potential embarrassment of this unwelcome addition to the sports season.