Ringworm Information
Ringworm is an infection that can be caused by several different types of fungus–not worms.
The “worm” part of its name comes from the wavy, ring-shaped blemishes that it causes on a person’s skin. Ringworm can affect skin and nails anywhere on the body, even on the scalp. Ringworm of the body is called “tinea corporis”, of the scalp, “tinea capitis”, of the feet, “tinea pedis” and infections of the groin, “tinea cruris”.
Ringworm is a contagious fungal infection. It can pass from person to person via skin-to-skin contact, on contaminated hats and combs, tables, and even on surfaces like theater seats. A child can also catch ringworm by playing with a cat or dog that has mange.
What to look for?
On a child’s skin, look for dry, red, scaly patches that are usually round and have raised wavy edges. Each patch can spread to a diameter of one inch or more, and the patch’s center portion may clear as it spreads.
Ringworm on the scalp causes either bald patches or patches of short, broken hairs, with red scaly skin underneath. The clinical manifestation will vary with the infecting organism.
What to do?
If your child has a small area of ringworm on their skin, your doctor can prescribe an antifungal ointment that is usually applied twice a day for two to four weeks. If your child has a ringworm infection in her scalp, or in a large area of her skin, your doctor may prescribe an antifungal medicine to be taken by mouth. Treatment may take several weeks. Fungal infections of the nail bed are difficult to eradicate, may require a combination of therapies and may require prolonged treatment.
If your child is being treated for ringworm of the scalp, discard hats, combs and hairbrushes. This will stop ringworm fungus from re-infecting your child once treatment ends. The lesion must be covered with a bandage in school.
Subscribe for Updates
Please sign up for the Plainedge Now email newsletter. Stay up to date and never miss out!
Follow Us
On behalf of the Plainedge Board of Education and Central Administration, we wish our community members, staff members, and their families who are observing Yom Kippur an easy fast.
Please note that schools will be closed on Thursday, October 2, 2025 and will reopen on Friday, October 3, 2025.
📧 Have you checked your email yet? This month’s Plainedge Now is live!
Inside, you’ll find:
✨ Updates from our schools
🎉 Highlights of student and staff achievements
📅 Upcoming events you won’t want to miss
💡 Important reminders and community news
Stay connected and informed! ❤️ #PlainedgePride #Plainedge #Education #PlainedgeProud #WEARE
Congratulations to Allison Younghans, Savannah Speicher, Ava Nitsch, Michela Netto, Dylan Fella, and Jaxson Torres on being recognized as part of Newsday’s Top 100 Long Island Athletes in their respective sports for 2025!
#weareplainedge #plainedge #athletics #weare #plainedgepride #community #sports
Congratulations to Plainedge High School students Khloe Hong and Anthony Pravata on earning National Merit Commendations! This prestigious recognition is awarded by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) to students who achieve exceptional scores on the PSAT/NMSQT. Commended Students, who rank among the top 2–3% of all test-takers nationwide, receive a Letter of Commendation in honor of their academic excellence.
Plainedge High School Principal, Lauren Iocco, PHS Guidance Counselors Michael Cipriano and Joseph Como, Interim Superintendent Carol Muscarella, along with the rest of the Plainedge community, are proud to celebrate this outstanding achievement and the hard work of these remarkable students.
#weareplainedge #plainedgeproud #community #education #weare #plainedgepride #phs
We would like to wish those celebrating a Happy Rosh Hashanah. May this New Year bring you health and happiness. Please note that schools will be closed on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 and Wednesday, September 24, 2025.
We look forward to seeing everyone back on Thursday, September 25, 2025
Today, we welcomed back the incredible Class of 1975 for a special guided tour of Plainedge High School!
It was a heartwarming day full of memories, laughter, and stories as past met present in the halls they once called home.
#PlainedgePride #ClassOf75 #weareplainedge #plainedgeproud #Weare
The Plainedge Adult Continuing Education fall program is open for registration! Looking to learn something new this fall? Whether you`re brushing up on skills, exploring a hobby, or just trying something fun, Plainedge Adult Education has a class for you! Visit bit.ly/FallAdultEducation2025
#weareplainedge #plainedgepride #education #adulteducation
Interim Superintendent Carol Muscarella spent the morning at John H. West Elementary School, visiting classrooms, speaking with students, and observing the incredible teaching and learning happening throughout the building.
#weareplainedge #plainedgepride #jhw #learning #education
Mrs. Carol Muscarella Returns to Plainedge as Interim Superintendent:
The Board of Education is pleased to welcome Mrs. Carol Muscarella as Interim Superintendent of Plainedge Schools. As many of you know, Mrs. Muscarella is a deeply respected leader with a long history of service to the Plainedge School District. Her deep love for its students, faculty, staff, and community is why she answered the call to serve once again. We are confident that her experience and dedicated leadership will provide stability and guidance during this transitional period.
Kindly find Mrs. Muscarella`s letter reintroducing herself to the community as she temporarily pauses her well-deserved retirement to serve Plainedge.
A little dot can spark big ideas! 🔴🟠🟡🟢🔵🟣Plainedge Elementary Schools celebrated International Dot Day and its message of creativity, courage, and community through unique experiences in each grade level. #MakeYourMark #DotDay #plainedgepride #community #education #together #plainedgeproud #weareplainedge
