# Parental Misidentification and Potential Mismanagement of Dermatophytosis: Insights From a Nationwide Survey of Mothers, United States, 2025

## TL;DR

A survey of US mothers shows many misidentify ringworm and may use inappropriate treatments, highlighting the need for better education and early healthcare evaluation.

## Contribution

This study reveals significant misidentification of dermatophytosis and inappropriate treatment practices among parents, particularly in specific demographic groups.

## Key findings

- 47% of mothers correctly identified ringworm, while 63% misattributed erythema migrans as ringworm.
- 17% of respondents would use over-the-counter corticosteroids for suspected dermatophytosis.
- Non-Hispanic Black and multiracial mothers were more likely to use corticosteroids for suspected dermatophytosis.

## Abstract

Information is lacking on parental recognition and management practices for dermatophytosis, a common childhood infection associated with increasing antifungal resistance. We analyzed data from a nationwide survey of US mothers with children < 18 years living at home, using chi-squared tests to compare respondents who indicated they would treat dermatophytosis with over-the-counter corticosteroids versus those who would not. Among the 306 respondents, 47% correctly identified ringworm and 63% misattributed erythema migrans as ringworm; 17% said they would try an over-the-counter corticosteroid cream for suspected dermatophytosis, a practice more frequently reported among respondents who were non-Hispanic Black (29% vs. 11%), Hispanic/Latino (10% vs. 8%), and non-Hispanic multiracial (16% vs. 11%) (p = 0.009) and who had a high school education or less (45% vs. 27%, p = 0.032). Our study emphasizes the challenges of visually diagnosing dermatophytosis and the importance of early healthcare evaluation to ensure accurate diagnosis and proper treatment.