When my 15-year-old son came back from spending the weekend at his nanny’s house, I noticed something was wrong almost immediately. As he took off his shirt, I saw several red bumps and circular marks on his lower back and side. Some were small, others larger, and a few had a clear ring shape with redness around the edges. He said they didn’t hurt much, but they itched on and off. As a parent, that uneasy feeling hit instantly — especially when the marks hadn’t been there just two days earlier.
At first glance, it looked alarming. The shapes were uneven, some raised, some flatter, and the redness made them stand out against his skin. My first thoughts jumped to allergies, insect bites, or even something contagious he might have picked up. I asked him if he’d been outside, around animals, or sharing towels or bedding. He casually mentioned the family dog at his nanny’s house and said he’d slept on the couch most of the weekend.
After looking closer and comparing symptoms, the answer became much clearer. These marks are consistent with ringworm — a common fungal skin infection, especially in children and teenagers. Despite its name, ringworm has nothing to do with worms. It’s caused by a fungus that thrives in warm, moist environments and spreads easily through skin contact, shared surfaces, or contact with infected animals, particularly cats and dogs.
Ringworm often starts as small red bumps and gradually forms round or oval patches with a raised, scaly border and clearer skin in the center. It can appear in clusters and vary in size, exactly like the marks on my son. Itching is common, but pain usually isn’t. Spending time on shared furniture, using shared blankets, or close contact with pets makes it very easy to catch without anyone realizing it right away.
The good news is that ringworm is very treatable. Over-the-counter antifungal creams usually clear it up within a couple of weeks if applied consistently. Keeping the area clean and dry is important, and sharing towels, clothes, or bedding should be avoided until it heals. Pets should also be checked, since they can carry the fungus without obvious symptoms and pass it right back.
Seeing those marks was scary at first, but understanding what they are makes all the difference. Skin changes that appear suddenly should never be ignored, especially in teens who spend time in shared spaces. What looks alarming doesn’t always mean something severe — but it does mean it’s time to pay attention, act quickly, and stop it from spreading.
