Ringworm!

I noticed that I had what I thought was a bug bite on my arm about 2-3 weeks ago. It has not gone away and looks terrible. I know I have scratched it and honestly haven't paid much attention to it with the move and all. Well this morning I went to the pharmacy because I also have some bumps from an allergic reaction to something I came in contact with. I showed her the "bug bite" as well. She said it's not a bug bite, it's ringworm! She said it doesn't look like a ring because I have scratched it and it is on the verge of being infected. She told me to use Neosporin to clear it up for 3 days then Lotrimin until it clears up completely. She said it is contagious but only if someone rubs it.

I know you can get ringworm from your pets, but can Dori get it from me. I have had this thing for a few weeks, I know Dori has had contact with it. What do I watch out for on her? I don't the symptoms on cats Also, how do I keep her from getting it if she doesn't have it all ready? With all the stress she is going through I do not want her to go through this as well.

Start bleaching bedsheets, clothing, etc. It can be tough to get rid of. If you see more suspicious spots starting, get on them right away with the anti-fungal cream 2-3 times a day and they will usually go away quickly.

As for the cat.. I dunno.. our cat's havn't had it yet.

My daughter has ringworm patches show up periodically (on her legs and on her face right near her eyebrows). This has been the case even before we got the cats. We use Lotrimin on them. You must do that daily for a period of a month or so. Keep doing it when even when it is gone. I'm not sure how much the Neosporin will help, as that is not antifungal.

For adults I would really recommend Lamisil cream. this is also over-the-counter, and I think it is a much more effective product than Lotrimin. It can't be used on kids under 12 though, which is too bad.

Jill

Oh yes, the cat CAN get it from you. It goes both ways. I use something from "Taro" called "Clotrimazole Anti-Fungal Cream". It is supposed to be for ringworm and athlet's foot. Dunno about feet, but it works well on ringworm. Good luck! Oh btw, I think we got it from a friend who thought he had dry skin and was over here scratching then showed it to us.. oh how happy we were to find out what he brought us.

Originally Posted by Jili

I'm not sure how much the Neosporin will help, as that is not antifungal.

For adults I would really recommend Lamisil cream. this is also over-the-counter, and I think it is a much more effective product than Lotrimin. It can't be used on kids under 12 though, which is too bad.

Jill

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She wanted me to use the neosporin because it is on the verge of being infected from me scratching in my sleep, she said use that for 3 days to clear it up and then switch to the Lotrimin. She said the neosporin wouldn't help the actual ring worm, but would get the infection out.

I just hope Dori doesn't get it since I have had it so long.

I caught it from the shelter, and while I was careful, I never went overboard protecting my cats from it, and they've never had it. It was as nice-sized ring on my arm, and my doc wasn't sure it was ringworm at first, because I had been using Neosporin on it and that changes it's appearance. (I thought it was just an infected scratch at first.) It kept getting bigger over a week's time, and that's when I knew. I washed all my clothes and bedding in hot water, and made sure to keep a clean bandaid or gauze wrapped around the spot at all times. My doc told me to use Lamisil AT until it went away. Now I make sure to treat all my cuts the night I come home from the shelter, and I haven't gotten it since.

Things to look for in your cat are: Hairlessness, flakiness, or scabs on your cat's ears and face. That's almost always the first place it shows up. The ears are the easiest to spot. Then check the sides and belly for the three things listed above. I've also seen it infect the cuticles of cats, causing swelling. You should probably check her completely twice a day to be on the safe side, because a cat can get full blown ringworm in less than 12 hours. The incubation period on a cat can be anywhere from 4 days to 4 weeks. And remember, if caught early, and treatment started, ringworm isn't a huge problem. Also, some cats are carriers of the fungus (which naturally occurs in soil) and will never get it.

If you want to protect her just in cas, they sell a medicated shampoo at the vet's office called Malaseb. It's an anti-fungal shampoo that does kill ringworm on the skin and coat, but only if left on the cat for ten minutes. (ie, wet her down, soap her up, and then put her in a carrier to sit for ten minutes. Not pleasant, but it's one of the only things that works.) I've also seen Malaseb sprays at the vet's office which should mean that you won't have to bath her. I've never used the spray before, but I've been considering buying it since I brought home a cat that had been infected and was constantly exposed to ringworm.

Good luck!