After being applied to your cats affected skin areas directly, they will kill the offending fungus. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2010. Its important to remember that some cats can be asymptomatic carriers of this fungus and may shed ringworm spores into the environment even without obvious skin lesions. There may be more symptoms that appear other than hair loss, though. Should I avoid any medications or treatments? Doctors treat nummular eczema in different ways from ringworm. Take these steps to reduce your risk of ringworm: Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Review/update the Ringworm is a common infection of the skin and nails that is caused by fungus. Finally, one of the most vital ways to avoid ringworm contamination is to avoid petting or touching your cat while its in the treatment phase. Ringworm gets its name from how it typically looks on human skina red ring around where the infection is located. health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health The outer edge is more inflamed and scaly than the paler centre. Male/Female + World Record. These creams weaken your skins defenses. However, ringworm on your torso or limbs will usually have a circular appearance with a clearing in the middle. Flat patches with a raised, round border. Despite the name, ringworm is not a worm infection. Continue applying your anti-fungal ointment as prescribed. 1. Keeping your infected cat away from other animals, objects, surfaces, and family members is recommended during this time. You can protect yourself by always washing your hands after playing with or petting animals. Ringworm is a misnomer, since a fungus, not a worm, causes the infection. (2014). (6) Credit: Dr. H.C. Robinson / Photo Researchers, Inc. Apply an over-the-counter antifungal lotion, cream or ointment such as clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF) or terbinafine (Lamisil AT) as directed on the packaging. Ringworm can be treated with antifungal creams containing clotrimazole (Cruex, Lotrimin), miconazole (Desenex, Monistat-Derm), ketoconazole (Nizoral), and terbinafine (Lamisil). If you return items, the site may lose earnings. Each of these oral medications help treat the most common type of ringworm in cats, Microsporum. You should also wash your hands after petting your cat and try to clean all of the items they come in contact with, such as brushes and water bowls. Learn more. Wash sweat and grime from skin and hair as soon as possible following vigorous activity. Wash the skin with warm water and pat dry with a soft cloth. To completely eradicate the fungal infection, your vets will plan a treatment lasting for several weeks or several months. Then, topical treatments will be used to help stop the ringworm from spreading to anyone else in your home. All cats infected with ringworm need treatments. weeks to resolve some severe infections. Unfortunately, in the cat communities of the feline population such as cat shelters, especially animal rescues, completely getting rid of the environment and furry friends of fungal spores is, without doubt, such a challenging task. Hair loss or bald spots in the affected area. Ringworm. For more-severe infections, you may need to take antifungal pills for several weeks. It affects toenails more than fingernails, as footwear often provides a moist, warm environment that fungi prefer. Infection of the hand may look like very dry skin with deep cracks on the palm. Tinea of the groin (jock itch) tends to have a reddish-brown color and may extend from the folds of the groin down onto one or both thighs. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'whatkillsit_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_5',112,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-whatkillsit_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');Ringworm can be transmitted animal to human, and human to human as long as All rights reserved. Most doctors and pharmacists will tell you to KEEP using the cream even though you think the ringworm is gone. Your cats nails may become rough and have a scaly base. Featured Image Credit: Yaya photos, Shutterstock. The treatment may take time, but its important to follow your healthcare providers treatment plan for as long as recommended. Skin biopsy: Sometimes, a biopsy is performed to find fungal spores and rule out other skin issues. Symptoms may include: Onychomycosis, also called tinea unguium, is a ringworm infection of the nails. Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW Mayo Clinic on High Blood Pressure - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic Press, FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic Press, Financial Assistance Documents Minnesota, Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition, A scaly ring-shaped area, typically on the buttocks, trunk, arms and legs, A clear or scaly area inside the ring, perhaps with a scattering of bumps whose color ranges from red on white skin to reddish, purplish, brown or gray on black and brown skin, Have close contact with an infected person or animal, Share clothing, bedding or towels with someone who has a fungal infection, Participate in sports that feature skin-to-skin contact, such as wrestling. Fungal culture is best for determining when treatment can be stopped. Ringworm infections are The infection is called "ringworm" because it can cause an itchy, red, circular rash. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Ringworm of the beard, also called tinea barbae, affects your cheeks, chin, and upper neck and can cause bald patches. The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Make sure to use only topical ointment, antifungal cream, and shampoo highly recommended by your vets. You feel normal again, but are you cured? These lesions are usually not itchy at first but can become itchy if severe scaling or bacterial infection occurs. These hairs are easy to remove with gentle pressure. Ringworm of the scalp, or tinea capitis, often starts as isolated scaling in the scalp that develops into itchy, scaly bald patches. Mixing two or three oils together with a carrier oil may give you better results, but this is only anecdotal and not scientifically proven. Youre more at risk for ringworm if you: Ringworm is contagious and extremely common. [1] Symptoms begin four to fourteen days after exposure. Treatment is usually a combination of medication applied to the cats skin and an oral medication. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Ringworm can closely resemble another condition called nummular eczema. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. The fungus, which feeds on dead cells, is not actually a wormthe name originated from the classic round red target-shaped lesion surrounded by a scaly ring mostly seen in humans with ringworm. Disinfectant sprays like Lysol or bleach can remove the fungus. Jock itch occurs mostly in adult men and adolescent boys. Over-the-counter and prescription treatments can stop the fungus from spreading to other parts of your body or to others. The fungi causes hair shafts to break, hence the It's most common in men and adolescent boys. of olive oil. So its nearly impossible to say with full certainty that a medication, whether topical or oral, will be safe to use. The different types of ringworm are usually named for the location of the infection on the body. The active ingredient in most anti-fungal ointments for humans is clotrimazole. Our expert physicians and surgeons provide a full range of dermatologic, reconstructive and aesthetic treatments options at Cleveland Clinic. We avoid using tertiary references. Ringworm risk and prevention. Otherwise, doctors can test skin scrapings for tinea fungus. 5 /17. What you see, however, changes when ringworm grows on the feet (bottoms and sides), palms, nails, groin, beard area, or scalp. This type of ringworm affects your arms, legs, torso and face. The healing process does take time and goes through several stages. (2) Copyright ISM / Phototake -- All rights reserved. Some of the essentials oils people use to treat ringworm include: These oils can be potent, so you will need to dilute them with a carrier oil, such as olive or coconut oil, before applying the mixture to your skin. Oral antifungal medications appear to be safe to take during pregnancy. These require different treatments, so it's important to consult a medical professional. Ringworm gets its name because of its appearance. Ringworm, also known with a medical term dermatophytosis, is a highly contagious fungal infection that affects the skin not far from cats hair and claws. Shower after any sport that includes skin-to-skin contact. Don't share clothing, sports gear, towels, or sheets. Alternatives might be used if griseofulvin isn't working or your child is allergic to it. Symptoms may include patchy hair loss and skin lesions that are reddened, raised, and scaling. Our team of writers lives on cheap coffee and draft beer! Those who often share items such as hairbrushes or unwashed clothing also have an increased risk of developing the infection. Changing your socks and underwear daily or more frequently if they become damp or soiled. If you stop treatment or treatment ends too soon, the infection can come back. If youre experiencing severe dermatophytosis that isnt responding to OTC treatments or home remedies, or if you suspect a tinea infection of your scalp or hair follicles, your doctor may prescribe antifungal pills to clear up the infection. Over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal creams, gels or powders typically work well. Direct contact with a fungal spore causes infection, but the skin must already be open, through a scrap or scratch, in order to infect. The itching may intensify after exercise and may not improve after using anti-itch cream. Infection of other animals and humans, or reinfection of the afflicted cat, can occur from contact with the contaminated environment. Treatment for ringworm of the scalp requires a prescription-strength antifungal medication taken by mouth. Boral H, et al. The lesion may grow in size and become irregular in shape. However, most are successfully treated by applying an anti-fungal ointment to the infection site. During treatment, its important to decontaminate your home environment to prevent reinfection or the spread of infection among others in the home. Dry yourself completely after showering. Its important to note that even though these cats dont look sick, they are very contagious. Whats more is as long as you have ringworm, you can infect someone else and they, in turn, can re-infect you. When fungus affects the skin of the body, it often produces itchy, red, raised, scaly patches that may blister and ooze. These skin lesions may frequently ooze. This same fungus is left as spores in the environment which is why environmental disinfection is so important. Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information. They are typically of the Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton types. Ferri FF. It can live on your skin, on surfaces and in soil. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Your healthcare provider can treat more widespread ringworm with oral antifungal medication. (10) Copyright 2007 Interactive Medical Media LLC Ringworm of the body is related to athlete's foot (tinea pedis), jock itch (tinea cruris) and ringworm of the scalp (tinea capitis). In cats, youre more likely to notice hair loss and scaly lesions of any shape. Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter (OTC) medications and antifungal skin creams as well. Both ringworm and psoriasis can cause discolored patches of skin as well as itching and scaling. If you don't have a spare room to confine your cat, keep it in a cat carrier. (2017). Ringworm thrives in damp, warm areas. the lesions or ring-shaped marks are visible, oozing, or otherwise opened. Ringworm is a very common type of skin disorder and most of the people suffer from this disease. Learn more about home remedies for ringworm, including powdered licorice. However, the information found on Excited Cats should not be viewed as veterinary advice. Antifungals come in various forms like creams, gels or powders. The next sign the ringworm infection is healing is the appearance of flaky skin. Allmon A, et al. with a de-wormer. In fact, they may worsen the infection. These could be medicated shampoos or a sulfur rinse that works to disinfect your cats coat. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC, an Internet Brands company. Most often it will appear on one of these areas of the body: the toes and feet (tinea pedis; athletes foot), underarms or torso (tinea corpus),and the genitals or buttocks (tinea cruris; jock itch). Nevertheless, in other more difficult cases, it takes much more time to diagnose ringworm in cats, particularly in long-furred cats. This starts as dry scaly skin between your toes that may spread to your sole and heel. Okay. See additional information. The patches often have sharply defined edges. Sharing objects with an infected person or animal such as a brush, towel or bedding. It's a fungal infection that often forms a ring-shaped rash. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,100],'whatkillsit_com-box-4','ezslot_1',123,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-whatkillsit_com-box-4-0');These symptoms appear within one or two weeks following contact with the infecting source. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Ringworm on the face outside of the beard area is called tinea faciei. irritation, itching, cracked or scaly skin, bumps and/or ring-shaped rashes. You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Conditions like eczema and psoriasis can sometimes resemble ringworm, but there are key differences in appearance and treatment. Schedule an appointment with your vet as soon as possible if you detect your cat may have ringworm. Unlike ringworm, eczema isnt contagious and doesnt spread from one area to another on your body. If you suspect your pet has ringworm, bring them to your veterinarian for an examination. The characteristic "ring" that we see on humans does not always appear as a ring on animals. It will be a bit of cleaning on your part, but well worth it to get rid of the ringworm! any part of the body if the climate is hot and humid. Should I look out for signs of complications? Whether its an upset stomach, a cut, or something more serious, neither you nor your pet are having a good time when its ill. And when you hear the word worm in regard to your cat, your mind likely comes up with a scenario thats not very pleasant. Treat cats infected by ringworm with your care and love, then he/she will soon make a complete recovery. Sometimes, the diagnosis of ringworm is obvious from its location and appearance. Affected nails may become thicker or discolored. Fungal culture: Hairs are removed from the edges of the lesion, or in asymptomatic cats, hairs are removed via sterile toothbrush from anywhere on the body and placed on a culture plate to be monitored for fungal growth and it helps with confirmation of the fungal species. This is good! If you have athlete's foot, put your socks on before your underwear to prevent spreading to your groin. the anti-fungal even though you may be feeling better.. Unaffected family members may benefit from using the shampoo as well. Ringworm often spreads by direct, skin-to-skin contact with an infected person. Treating ringworm in dogs usually consists of three steps: Topical therapy Oral medications Environmental decontamination Topical Therapy for Ringworm Your veterinarian will probably recommend. Ringworm is an infection of skin, hair, or claws caused by a type of fungus known as a dermatophyte. An advantage to this test is that asymptomatic carrier cats can be diagnosed. This may look like acne, folliculitis, or another skin condition. Restricting your four-legged friends to a certain room of your house that is easy to clean is not a bad idea! Eczema and many other skin conditions can resemble ringworm. Apple cider vinegar may cause open sores or inflammation. (2014). Often, it takes from one to two weeks between exposure to ringworm fungus and the signs of ringworm lesion development. Ringworm cultures are performed after the start of treatment to determine if the infection is still present. McGraw-Hill Education; 2016. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. (7) Copyright ISM / Phototake -- All rights reserved. shironosov/iStock via Getty Images Ringworm is a skin infection that can affect your cat and spread to other pets and humans. PCR testing: PCR tests are performed on hairs, looking for fungal DNA. Disinfecting surfaces with bleach or sprays like Lysol. Ringworm infection may resolve on its own in about three or four monthsbut thats a long time for contamination to spread in your home. This condition may spread in schools. (2010). Animal to human. Steroid creams can allow ringworm infections to spread to cover . Its critical to clean your cats environment at home to reduce further spread and lower the risk of reinfection. Your skin may also appear unusually dark or light. But, ringworm can take other forms, particularly when it develops on the face, hands, scalp, feet, groin, or nails. Doctors call ringworm different names depending on where it appears on the body. It will take from two to four weeks for you to see the improvement in the health of treated cats. If left untreated, ringworm can spread to other areas of your body. Artificial nails increase the risk for tinea unguium as emery boards can carry infection, and water can collect under the artificial nail, creating a moist area for fungal growth. It may be passed by direct contact with an infected animal or person, the soil, or a contaminated surface. On most areas of the skin, it causes ring-shaped patches. In cases of severe or resistant infections on the scalp or nails, doctors may prescribe oral medicines such as terbinafine, itraconazole (Sporanox), griseofulvin, fluconazole (Diflucan), ciclopirox, or naftifine. If you do get ringworm from your cat, you can treat it the same way as you would any fungal infection. Examining the scales typically confirms ringworm. To prevent recurrence during the recovery period, make sure to keep your cat environment, your house, and furniture clean at its best! So you think you have ringworm. Elsevier 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. The conditions have different underlying causes as well. Lesions are most likely to be found on the skin on your cats head, chest, front legs, and spine. Manage Settings What steps can I take to prevent ringworm from spreading to other people? Accessed Aug. 8, 2019. And the only thing it has to do with rings is the circular area of itchy rash that typicallybut not necessarilywill appear on the . It feeds off of protein in hair and skin. It sequences a ringworm infection from first exposure to the time youre completely healed. Fungal and yeast infections. Treatment lasts for a minimum of 4 to 6 weeks, and in some cases, several months of therapy is required. Majocchis granuloma: Current perspectives. Ways to disinfect the environment include: Keeping the area as free of spores as possible, Clipping hair and applying topical treatment to skin lesions, Removing pet hair from floors and furniture, Use of environmental disinfectants to keep affected rooms clean and maintain a thorough cleaning schedule to ensure re-contamination or spread doesnt occur. Recognizing what ringworm looks like on your cat can help you prevent this infection in its tracks before it spreads throughout your home. Skin-to-skin contact with a person who has ringworm. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on As youre about to see in the upcoming ringworm healing chart, a typical ringworm infection, even with treatment takes 2-4 weeks to be fully eradicated. Ringworm most commonly affects the skin on the body (tinea corporis), the scalp (tinea capitis), the feet (tinea pedis, or athlete's foot), or the groin (tinea cruris, or jock itch). The term ringworm is most commonly used to refer to tinea corporis, or ringworm of the body. Ringworm of the body (tinea corporis) is a rash caused by a fungal infection. There are several types of ringworm (tinea) that can affect different parts of the body. Topical treatment will usually continue for several weeks or even months depending on your cats diagnosis. Apply a topical antifungal Most cases of ringworm can be treated at home. body areas with joints and creases where sweat and dirt can easily collect. In pets, you'll normally see hair loss around the infected area. Ringworm, also known with a medical term - dermatophytosis, is a highly contagious fungal infection that affects the skin not far from cats' hair and claws. If you dont, it may spread and grow. Ringworm gets its name from how it typically looks on human skina red ring around where the infection is located. Keep the affected area clean and dry. Oozing sores are the bodys way of flushing infection. No worm is involved. Cats may have circular thickened patches of skin with hair loss. For moreCat's Health Guides, please visit Cattybox! Please also note: if you have pets, your home is even more susceptible to the never ending cycle of ringworm and the passing of ringworm back and forth until the fungus is removed from your home. Remember, the fungus Your veterinarian may prescribe one of the following: Side-effects are possible when using antifungals and should be considered prior to starting therapy. You may need prescription medication. Its most common in men and adolescent boys. Ringworm is difficult to prevent. Also called Tinea capitis, it causes small patches of itchy, scaly skin. Change your socks and underwear at least once a day. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Heres our process. She also has an array of stray cats, raccoons, and possums who like to call her front porch home. What steps can I take to keep from getting ringworm again? The fungus can live on towels, clothes, sheets and household surfaces for months. Culture of the fungus spores in a laboratory; Thoroughly exam your cats physical health to look for bald spots and inflamed skin. Jock itch, athletes foot, and ringworm of the body can all typically be treated with topical medications, such as antifungal: Some severe cases may be treated with oral medications. Antifungal drugs during pregnancy: An updated review. Plaque psoriasis skin lesions are usually larger, involve more areas of your skin, and occur in distinct locations, like your lower back, elbows, and knees. The main ways ringworm spreads are: Your healthcare provider can diagnose ringworm by looking at your skin and assessing your symptoms. Contact a healthcare provider for an appropriate diagnosis. Care: Cats who live in a densely populated environment (such as an animal shelter) or receive poor nutrition are at a higher risk for infection due to the contagious and resistant nature of this fungus. Avoid touching the area and wash your hands before touching other areas of your body. You might think that ringworm in cats is not serious. Unlike what its name might suggest, there is no worm in ringworm. In a word: No. Its most common among children. Ringworm (dermatophytosis) is caused by a microscopic fungus that's found in the dirt. Your pregnancy care provider can discuss potential risks and benefits with you. Did the ringworm resolve? The fungus, which feeds on dead cells, is not actually a wormthe name originated from the classic round red target-shaped lesion surrounded by a scaly ring mostly seen in humans with ringworm. The first-choice medication is usually griseofulvin (Gris-Peg). A fungus causes ringworm, while a dysfunctional immune system causes psoriasis. Exposure to pets. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. As an amazon associate, we earn from qualified purchases. After the disappointing news you were given a prescription for anti-fungal cream or youre told to get yourself some over the counter Lotrimin before being sent on your way. You might also see the following: The first step in treating ringworm is, of course, taking your cat to the vet for a proper diagnosis. It is important that you continue using Dogs, cows, goats, pigs, and horses can also spread ringworm to humans. include protected health information. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Other rashes can look like ringworm, including spider bites, nummular eczema, and Lyme disease, a more serious infection that produces a bull's-eye shaped rash. All rights reserved. Calendula can be used as Calendula ointment Tincture of calendula Steeped and cooled calendula tea bag. (3) David Scharf / Science Faction / Getty Images Take your pet to the vet if it has patches of missing hair, which could be a sign of a fungal infection. Apply antifungal lotions, creams or ointments for the entire treatment period. Ending treatment too soon can cause ringworm to return and make the infection harder to treat. Home remedies like apple cider vinegar or tea tree have little to no benefit. (11) Credit: Mike Devlin / Photo Researchers, Inc. Steroid creams can make ringworm worse because they weaken the skin's defenses. The fungus cannot infect healthy, intact skin. First will be with oral antifungal medicationlikely either Terbinafine or Itraconazolewhich will work to stop the infection and keep it from proliferating. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. We will show you more in this article. These cats, called asymptomatic carriers, may still infect other pets or humans. Cats with ringworm will be contagious for about 3 weeksif aggressive treatment is used. The ringworm fungus can live on surfaces for months. Both cats and dogs can get ringworm, and then pass it on to humans who touch them. Using a public shower or public pool may also expose you to the infectious fungi. When shes not writing about animals, youll find her writing poetry, stories, and film reviews (cats, by far, her favorite writing topic, though!). Contact with a contaminated surface, such as a locker room floor or sweaty gym clothes. I began treating her with Raw Vinegar and Coconut Oil (Both have anti-fungal properties), but I will be taking her to a Vet next week and will verify the diagnosis. WhatKillsIt.com publishes content that may include sponsored posts or links. Well also give you the lowdown on how ringworm is treated and ways to help keep ringworm from spreading. This exact problem has hit close to home for this PestGuru as it happened to our close friends. Disinfecting the environment: Infected cat hairs containing microscopic spores may have been shed around your home.

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