Boy, 7, has half of the skin on his head removed after developing ringworm

07 November 2023 , 14:03

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Connel needed urgent treatment after developing ringworm (Image: Daily Record WS)

A barber shop is under investigation after a child developed ringworm and had to have some skin on his head removed and cleaned before medics could put it back.

Kayleigh Blair, 32, from Sterling, Scotland, initially thought her son Connel, 7, had alopecia after she spotted a bald patch on his head last month. But a pharmacist told her he actually had ringworm. She believes her son caught the infection whilst getting his hair done at the shop.

Doctors later realised the infection was severe and said he would need to be treated immediately. Stirling Council has since confirmed that an environmental health officer has visited the barber shop. The council has also received four additional complaints about the premises.

Connel had sensitive scabbing on his head (No credit)

Kayleigh believes he caught the infection at the barber shop (No credit)

Kayleigh said her son usually visits the store every two weeks. Speaking about the incident, she said: "I noticed a big red circle on the side of Connel's head after the barber shaved it. I thought he had alopecia, but we went straight to the pharmacist who confirmed it was ringworm. I had never heard of it before." She continued: "The pharmacist gave us cream but there was no progress and his head was getting worse and began to crust." A few weeks later, Connel was playing in the park when another child accidentally elbowed him in the head, reports Daily Record.

"Because the skin on his head was so fragile, it ripped open and we had to rush to A&E. But his skin was too soft for stitches and the medics realised that the infection was really bad underneath. They had to remove half the skin on the side of his head and clean it out before putting it back on and bandaging up his head. He had to be sedated because he was so scared. He is still on anti-fungal medication as there is still a bit of the infection there. It has been a nightmare, he obviously can't get his haircut until it heals, but even then he is petrified of stepping into a barber shop again and I will have to cut his hair from now on." A Stirling Council spokesperson said: "We are aware of the matter and have visited the premises. Our Environmental Health team has responsibility for ensuring businesses in the area adhere to relevant health and safety legislation."

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Connel was rushed to hospital after playing at the park

A spokesperson for the barber shop in question strongly denies all claims against the shop and said: "I believe that the boy did not get the ringworm from us and the reason is that we take all precautions. We follow all the hygiene guidelines, and the council photographed some of the sanitising materials we use on a daily basis." The owner also added: "The family do at least say it is a possibility that it is us who are responsible. The NHS says ringworm can be passed on through close contact with an infected person or animal. This is a malicious move to destroy my business. The parent excluded all possibilities that the child could have gotten it from school, from friends or being outdoors. They have only restricted the cause to my shop."

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Iona Young