A: Yes. Ringworm, a fungal infection of the skin, hair or nails, is zoonotic, which means
it’s a disease shared by humans, cats, dogs and other animals
.
How likely is it to get ringworm from a cat?
Other studies have shown that in
30%-70%
of households in which a cat develops ringworm, at least one person will develop the condition. Young children, the elderly, and people whose immune function is compromised for any reason are most susceptible to the infection.
How likely is it to get ringworm from a pet?
Infected pets are generous and like to share with others
There have even been reports of cows, goats, pigs and horses passing ringworm to people! Many studies have shown that
children are most likely to get ringworm from a pet
, due to a combination of closer contact with their pets and hygiene.
Can humans catch ringworm from dogs?
Somehow the idea of contracting a parasite seems far worse than catching a virus or bacteria. If worms freak you out, there is good news—ringworm is not a worm, it is a fungus. The bad news is that
ringworm is highly contagious and can spread from dogs to humans
.
Can I touch my cat if I have ringworm?
We recommend that you
don’t let children touch your cat if he or she has ringworm
. When treating your cat for ringworm, wear gloves and an apron.
How do humans get ringworm?
Ringworm often spreads by
direct, skin-to-skin contact with an infected person
. Animal to human. You can contract ringworm by touching an animal with ringworm. Ringworm can spread while petting or grooming dogs or cats.
Is ringworm a big deal?
Despite its name, ringworm doesn’t have anything to do with worms. Other similar fungal infections can affect the scalp, feet, groin and nails. These fungal infections, medically known as “tinea”, are
not serious and are usually easily treated
. However, they are contagious and easily spread.
How long is cat contagious with ringworm?
Infected pets remain contagious for
about three weeks if aggressive treatment is used
. The ringworm will last longer and remain contagious for an extended period of time if only minimal measures are taken or if you are not faithful with the prescribed approach.
Can ringworm go away on its own?
There’s no set time limit for a ringworm infection.
Without treatment, it may go away on its own in a matter of months in a healthy person
. Or it may not. Ringworm on the body is usually treated with a topical ointment such as terbinafine.
Can cats get ringworm from litter box?
Fungal Infections:
A cat that spends too much time in a dirty litter box can contract fungal infections such as ringworm
. This can quickly spread to other pets and family members.
Do I have to quarantine my cat with ringworm?
Oral Medication should be given as directed, for 14-28 days. Young animals should be weighed every two weeks and their dosage re-calculated.
All ringworm animals should be kept strictly quarantined in a room that is easily cleaned, preferably without carpeting or upholstery
.
How did my indoor cat get ringworm?
Cats get ringworm
when they come into contact with the fungus that causes the infection
. That fungus can live on many surfaces, including blankets, grooming tools, and towels. It also lives on an infected human or animal’s skin and hair.
How do you clean your house from ringworm?
To kill ringworm spores, clean and disinfect solid surfaces. Launder bedding and other fabric, small area rugs and soft articles. Vacuum upholstered furniture and drapes, and discard the vacuum cleaner bag. Press duct tape to furniture to remove any hair the vacuum missed.
What does ringworm look like in humans?
Ringworm of the Body (Tinea Corporis)
When fungus affects the skin of the body, it often produces
itchy, red, raised, scaly patches that may blister and ooze
. The patches often have sharply defined edges. They are often redder around the outside with normal skin tone in the center, creating the appearance of a ring.
What animals carry ringworm?
Many different kinds of animals can transmit ringworm to people.
Dogs and cats, especially kittens or puppies
, can have ringworm that can be passed to people. Cows, goats, pigs, and horses can also pass ringworm to people.
What does ringworm look like in a cat?
The clearest and most common clinical signs of feline ringworm include the following: circular areas of hair loss, broken and stubbly hair, scaling or crusty skin, alterations in hair or skin color, inflamed areas of skin, excessive grooming and scratching, infected claws or nail beds, and dandruff.
How do you stop ringworm from spreading?
- Keep your skin clean and dry.
- Wear shoes that allow air to circulate freely around your feet.
- Don’t walk barefoot in areas like locker rooms or public showers.
- Clip your fingernails and toenails short and keep them clean.
- Change your socks and underwear at least once a day.
What are 3 symptoms of ringworm?
- itchiness.
- itchy or scaly patches that are red, brown, or gray, or raised areas of skin called plaques.
- a round, flat patch of itchy skin.
- patches that develop blisters or pustules.
- patches that resemble a ring with deeper color on the outside.
- patches with edges that are defined and raised.
What cures ringworm fast?
Over-the-counter antifungals
can kill the fungus and promote healing. Effective medications include miconazole (Cruex), clotrimazole (Desenex) and terbinafine (Lamisil). After cleaning the rash, apply a thin layer of antifungal medication to the affected area 2 to 3 times per day or as directed by the package.
Is ringworm caused by being dirty?
Ringworm is an infection on the surface of the skin that is caused by a fungus. It is common in children but can also occur in adults.
It is usually passed by direct skin contact with another person who has ringworm or by touching a contaminated surface such as dirty clothing or towels
.
Does ringworm always have a ring around it?
Myth 2: Ringworm only affects the skin
Although ringworm often does appear on the skin, including the scalp, it can also show up on the fingernails or toenails.
Ringworm of the nails doesn’t create a ring-like pattern
. Instead, it turns the nails thick, yellow, and brittle.
What can be mistaken for ringworm?
There are a variety of ringworm imposters that could be causing you or your child’s rash. The two most common conditions are
nummular eczema and granuloma annulare
. Nummular eczema causes circular patches of dry skin that can burn or become dry and scaly.
Does ringworm always itch?
Ringworm (dermatophytosis) is a temporary red, circular rash that develops on your skin. It’s caused by a fungal infection. The rash typically appears as a red circle with clear or normal-looking skin in the center.
The rash may or may not itch
, and it may grow over time.
How does ringworm spread from cat to dog?
Ringworm can be passed to your dog or cat
by contact with another animal or a person who is infected with ringworm
. 3 He can also be infected by exposure to contaminated objects, such as grooming utensils, bedding, and dishes. They can also be infected by fungal spores found in the soil.
What looks like ringworm but isn’t ringworm?
Other conditions that occasionally look like ringworm include seborrhea, psoriasis, pityriasis, contact dermatitis (such as poison oak), drug reactions, tinea versicolor, vitiligo, erythema migrans (a rash seen in Lyme disease), and even lupus.
