Would you let your children spend four hours at a home where a child living there has ringworm?

Question

I have a three year old, I am caring for a one year old and five year old brothers at there apartment. I love the kids. Problem is wasn't told that five year old boy has ringworm, all over his arms and legs (I mean alot). The aparment where I watch them has older rugs, and only two rooms so kids spend alot of time being close and touching same things. My son has Very sensitive skin, and it is very hypoallergenic and fragile. The kids mom does not wash the kids clothes or linens very often (like they were clothes three or four times before washing). My son started exhibiting signs of ringworm after we got home today, a small half circle and then I noticed a rash like thing on his back and smaller bumps. I am freakin out. I bathed him, myself, put on clean clothes, sprayed with lysol and am cleaning sheets. I don't know what to do. I love the kids I care for, but this is my son's health. I made a dr. appointment asap for tommorrow. Should I care for the other children any longer?

Answer 1

So the ringworm is going untreated & the parents didn't tell you about it?  NOT GOOD.

In the mean time buy some athlete's foot or jock itch stuff and put a small amount on your son if he's really itchy.

Answer 2

What I would do is tell the mother that you can no longer watch the children in their home, but that you are willing to watch them in your own home AFTER the ringworm issue is cleared up.

Ringworm is not "serious", but is of course not something you want your child to have.  That his is so out of control is near neglect, IMO.  Obviously the home you are caring for the children in is not a safe environment for your child.

The mother can get Lamisil at the pharmacy, OTC.  It is the same medication used to treet Athlete's foot.  There is no need for her son to be covered in it.

If you want to keep caring for the children, do so-but not in that environment.  Give her the conditions listed above.

Answer 3

If the parent of the children dosen't care about what happens in this situation that says enough .

Answer 4

its probably best if u dont. u could just explain to their parent why.but first talk to the dr.good luck!

Answer 5

you can still care for your friends children just let her no that she needs to bring lil one with ring worm to doc if she has not done so already and let her no that untill this thing has been taken care of you can not watch them cuz your lil one is getting sick or getting ring worm and you dont want that to happen

Answer 6

Nope.  I wouldn't care for someone who is such a lax housekeeper and mother in the first place.  But you are putting both yourself and your child in danger, and she is the source.  Tell her the dr. needs to sign a release that neither of her kids are contagious.  Then keep them in a safer, cleaner environment.

TX Mom

Answer 7

I wouldn't.  That's just gross.  It's one thing to pass on sniffles at daycare, but this sounds like a hygiene issue that you can't avoid.  Maybe once the ringworm is cleared up, you watch them at your place instead where you have more control over the environment??

Answer 8

I was a nursing student at an elementary school this past semester and I saw many kids come in everyday with ringworm. The nurse and I used bandages to cover their ringworm and sent them back to class. The children need to keep the ringworm rash covered to prevent you and your child from getting it. If their mother is not keeping up with her kids hygiene, that is considered neglect and she can be reported to police or CPS. That is not fair to those kids. It seems like this may be a friend of yours so you probably are hesitant to call authorities, but you should give her ONE stern warning than take further action if she makes no changes.

This is a difficult situation, but you have to do whatever is best for your chhild and the other children. *Remember, you can report the other mother to CPS or police anonymously.

Answer 9

no i would not let my child around them.  if you are going to continue to watch the other children you will have to bath them daily and wash their clothes since their mother is not.  and i would wait until the ringworm is gone.

Answer 10

I wouldn't watch them anymore! that is completely irresponsible! if her children had ringworm she should have 1. told you and 2. wash their clothes more often.  this woman obviously has no respect for you or your child. what if in the long run the children have something more serious and pass it on to your child! Not to mention I am sure she knows that your baby has sensitive skin, and that is just rude! Just tell her that you cannot take care of her children any longer because it is unhealthy for you child.

Answer 11

I wouldn't. But be honest. Explain why. You have your child's best interest in mind. Maybe the other child could come to your house and only play on a blanket or something. But you shouldn't expose your child to a "bad" environment (i know ringworm isn't the worst but it is unpleasant for the person who has it and the person who has to wash everything they have come in contact with)

Answer 12

I wouldn't do anything that would endanger my child's health in any way.  Its one thing to pass on a mild cold, but ringworm - ew!  I'd be very upset with the mother for not informing you that her son had this.