Preventing Tinea Capitis: Washing Pillows for Ringworm Treatment

Tinea capitis, or ringworm of the scalp, can spread to others or return after treatment if the fungi remain on pillows and bedding. Disinfecting these items and treating the condition can prevent recurring infection. If you wash your pillows during treatment, however, it's important that you protect the pillow from reinfection until your treatment is complete. Check the care instructions on your pillows prior to washing them, and discard them if they cannot withstand hot water or laundering.

Things You'll Need

• Chlorine bleach
• Laundry detergent
• Plastic pillow case
• Spray bottle

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Place the pillows and pillow cases in the washing machine, set to the hottest water setting.

• 2

  Add 1 cup of chlorine bleach to the wash cycle, along with the standard measurement of your ordinary laundry detergent.

• 3

  Dry the pillows and cases in the clothes dryer until dried thoroughly.

• 4

  Cover the dried pillow in a plastic pillow case if your tinea capitis treatment is not yet complete.

• 5

  Mix 1/4 cup of chlorine bleach to 1 gallon of water and fill a spray bottle with the solution.

• 6

  Spray the plastic case with the bleach solution each day, and allow it to air-dry.

• 7

  Remove the plastic case and use your regular pillow cases once the infection clears.