Ringworm of the bearded area of the face and neck, with swellings and marked crusting, sometimes causes the hair to break off. Ringworm is an example of a zoonotic disease (transmitted from animals to humans). privacy practices. (14) Copyright 2007 Interactive Medical Media LLC The patches often have sharply defined edges. Call your healthcare provider if the ringworm infection: Youre sure to have questions if you or your child develop ringworm. cloth. The spray is known for getting into hard to reach places. However, moderate to severe cases may lead to patchy hair loss that makes it easier to tell when a cat is dealing with ringworm. The ringworm fungus can live on surfaces for months. The patch has a ring-like or circular shape with a raised, scaly border. If you have athlete's foot, put your socks on before your underwear to prevent spreading to your groin. This common and contagious skin infection gets its name from the red, itchy, ring-shaped skin plaque (a type of scaly rash). 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 Preventing ringworm involves: A weak immune system or living in a damp, warm climate increases your risk of a fungal infection. Ringworm is not caused by a worm. Your healthcare provider may write you a prescription for oral antifungal medication if you have ringworm on your scalp or on many parts of your body. If you don't have a spare room to confine your cat, keep it in a cat carrier. Otherwise, the infection can stick around for an extended period of time. If youd like to show your support, a buck is more than enough! Sometimes, your feet smell bad. Ringworm is a common infection of the skin and nails that is caused by fungus. Ringworm (scalp) - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic link to How to Get Rid of Roaches Coming from Neighbors: House or Apartment, link to Can Rat Poison Kill Humans? Ringworm is contagious. 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. When considering these potential complications, its best to treat ringworm as quickly as possible. Learn more. Thanks everyone! [2] Typically it results in a red, itchy, scaly, circular rash. With kerion, you may develop crusty, pus-filled sores, often with hair loss and scarring. (6) Credit: Dr. H.C. Robinson / Photo Researchers, Inc. The itching may intensify after exercise and may not improve after using anti-itch cream. However, most are successfully treated by applying an anti-fungal ointment to the infection site. Blisters and the ring-shaped rash will still be present, It may also occur on the scalp when hair is regularly sweat-laden and hot, such as under a hard hat. What steps can I take to prevent ringworm from spreading to other people? Treating pets for ringworm, if theyre infected. It sequences a ringworm infection from first exposure to the time youre completely healed. To completely eradicate the fungal infection, your vets will plan a treatment lasting for several weeks or several months. (5) Copyright 2007 Interactive Medical Media LLC The active ingredient in most anti-fungal ointments for humans is clotrimazole. These require different treatments, so it's important to consult a medical professional. Lets cover the stages of healing so you can get an idea of where you might be in the process and then well cover some other FAQs about ringworm. 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. (Other conditions that can mimic tinea cruris include yeast infections, psoriasis, and intertrigo.) If youre often barefoot, you may develop ringworm on your feet. Manage Settings (2016). Ringworm (body) - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic As an amazon associate, we earn from qualified purchases. Ringworm may sometimes cause a more generalized condition where a larger area of the body is affected, often appearing as patchy hair loss. any part of the body if the climate is hot and humid. Superficial fungal infection. How To Tell If Ringworm Is Healing In Cats? Often, it takes from one to two weeks between exposure to ringworm fungus and the signs of ringworm lesion development. If you suspect your pet has ringworm, bring them to your veterinarian for an examination. So you think you have ringworm. Showering immediately after contact sports or exercise. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. cats - Does Feline Ringworm turn black and crusty when healing? - Pets It spreads easily and through close contact. Disinfectant sprays like Lysol or bleach can remove the fungus. What steps can I take to prevent ringworm from spreading to other parts of my body? posts and pages could include affiliate links which may result in earnings for the site. In pets, youll normally see hair loss around the infected area. Examples of these drugs, which are fine to use when applied topically, include: However, its always best to talk with your doctor before using any medications while pregnant. Infection of other animals and humans, or reinfection of the afflicted cat, can occur from contact with the contaminated environment. This contagious fungal infection is not a threat to life, but cats can find it uncomfortable since it covers several large areas of her body and may be spread to other pets and humans. (2018). PCR testing: PCR tests are performed on hairs, looking for fungal DNA. Some other things you can do to promote healing: Although ringworm can go away by itself, its not common. Dogs, cows, goats, pigs, and horses can also spread ringworm to humans. There is no scientific data, only anecdotal evidence, to support the routine use of essential oils in treating antifungal infections like ringworm. On the face, ringworm is rarely ring-shaped. They may scrape the area to look at the skin cells under a microscope, too. It can affect 20% to 25% of the worlds population at any given time. Psoriasis is another skin condition that can sometimes resemble ringworm. Ringworm on the face outside of the beard area is called tinea faciei. Goldstein AO, et al. With treatment, a ringworm infection on a part of the body without hair (glabrous skin) is likely to clear up within two to four weeks of the start of treatment. They usually do not go away on their own. Ringworm is highly contagious and can be spread multiple ways. Fungus generally remains on the walls, damp areas, and household items like a towel, clothes or bedding. Pay particular attention to Over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal creams, gels or powders typically work well. In addition to prescription and OTC medication, your doctor may recommend that you care for the infection at home by: Take an in-depth look at ringworm treatments here. Flat patches with a raised, round border. Most medications are prescribed for between one and three months. The main ways ringworm spreads are: Your healthcare provider can diagnose ringworm by looking at your skin and assessing your symptoms. The treatment may take time, but its important to follow your healthcare providers treatment plan for as long as recommended. Home remedies shouldnt be used in place of known antifungal treatments. Ringworm can be treated with antifungal creams containing clotrimazole (Cruex, Lotrimin), miconazole (Desenex, Monistat-Derm), ketoconazole (Nizoral), and terbinafine (Lamisil). You should also wash your hands frequently after petting your dog to reduce the risk of infection whenever possible. The healing process does take time and goes through several stages. Ringworm gets its name from how it typically looks on human skina red ring around where the infection is located. These lesions usually show up around the ears and head, front legs, or back (though they may show up anywhere on the body). Tea tree oil has antifungal and antimicrobial properties but its effects arent well-known. Ringworm can move quite easily from cats to humans, especially to children. These include terbinafine, itraconazole (Spoanox, Tolsura) and fluconazole (Diflucan). Buthow to tell if ringworm is healing in cats? The first-choice medication is usually griseofulvin (Gris-Peg). Ferri FF. That still doesnt make it enjoyable for your cat, though, so you should be aware of what it looks like on a cateven more so because your cat can pass it along to you! 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. Ringworm (dermatophytosis) is caused by a microscopic fungus that's found in the dirt. Also called Tinea capitis, it causes small patches of itchy, scaly skin. American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Hair loss or bald spots in the affected area. It's a fungal infection that often forms a ring-shaped rash. Despite the name, ringworm is not a worm infection. Ringworm infection may resolve on its own in about three or four monthsbut thats a long time for contamination to spread in your home. Click here for an email preview. 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. Ringworm mainly occurs due to fungus infection. Accessed July 14, 2021. Our expert physicians and surgeons provide a full range of dermatologic, reconstructive and aesthetic treatments options at Cleveland Clinic. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. McGraw-Hill Education; 2016. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. We avoid using tertiary references. The lesion may grow in size and become irregular in shape. These are called granulomas. Ringworm can be unpleasant, but antifungal medications will help you get rid of the fungus that causes ringworm. Male/Female + World Record. 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. We include products we think are useful for our readers. AskMayoExpert. Symptoms may include patchy hair loss and skin lesions that are reddened, raised, and scaling. This form often appears as patches with the characteristic round ring shape on your torso or limbs. These fungi can live on your skin and other surfaces, particularly damp areas. Our founder and contributors have been involved in pest remediation, state health regulations, pesticide research, wildlife hospitals, animal shelter environments, mold and mildew remediation, property infestations, dealing with all sorts of microbial matters that no one else talks about. 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. Ringworm may spread from an affected area to other parts of the body, such as the: Symptoms vary depending on where the infection occurs. More serious cases, and infections . Each of these oral medications help treat the most common type of ringworm in cats, Microsporum. You may also risk spreading the infection to someone else. Find out how to identify ringworm and psoriasis. Steroid creams can make ringworm worse because they weaken the skin's defenses. 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. Accessed Aug. 12, 2019. The lesion caused by this infection resembles a worm in the shape of a ring, which is why it got its name. This content does not have an Arabic version. How to Know if Your Cat Has Ringworm & What to Do Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
