Animalscaretips
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. Ringworm—which is caused by a fungus, not a worm—go its name because in humans, it often appears as a round, raised, pink, flaky lesion.
- Can I pet my dog if he has ringworm?
- What to do if you touch an animal with ringworm?
- Can I touch my cat if it has ringworm?
- How do pets get ringworm?
- Can you get ringworm from a dog licking you?
- Is ringworm an emergency?
- How is ringworm passed to humans?
- How did my indoor cat get ringworm?
- Will cat ringworm go away by itself?
- Can ringworm go away on its own?
- How can u tell if a cat has ringworm?
- What happens if ringworm is left untreated in dogs?
- How do I clean my house after ringworm on my dog?
Can I pet my dog if he has ringworm?
Dogs with ringworm are contagious to humans. If your dog has been diagnosed, or if you suspect they may have ringworm, do not handle them and then directly touch your skin.
What to do if you touch an animal with ringworm?
Wear gloves and long sleeves if you must handle animals with ringworm, and always wash your hands after handling the animal. Vacuum the areas of the home that the infected pet commonly visits. This will help to remove infected fur or flakes of skin.
Can I touch my cat if it has ringworm?
People with weaker immune systems are more at risk of catching ringworm from cats, including young children, elderly people, people undergoing chemotherapy or treatment involving transplants or transfusions. We recommend that you don't let children touch your cat if he or she has ringworm.
How do pets get ringworm?
Ringworm in dogs spreads through direct contact with the fungus. This can happen when a dog comes in direct contact with an infected animal or person or touches a contaminated object like a couch, comb, food bowls, bedding, or carpet.
Can you get ringworm from a dog licking you?
This nasty disease is one of the easest to be transferred to you from your dog's saliva. Ringworm is a common fungal infection that can cause a red or silvery ring-like rash on the skin. Dogs can also carry MRSA. They may not be affected by it themselves but it can be transferred by a lick.
Is ringworm an emergency?
Generally, ringworm infections are not emergencies. But if someone develops fever, increased pain, swelling, drainage, or redness, which could suggest a bacterial secondary infection of the ringworm lesion, go to a hospital's emergency department.
How is ringworm passed to humans?
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.
How did my indoor cat get ringworm?
Ringworm is the most common infectious skin disease in cats. Cats become infected with ringworm when they're exposed to infective spores through contact with an infected animal, a contaminated object, or a contaminated environment. Spores are small and may also be carried on air currents and on dust particles.
Will cat ringworm go away by itself?
Ringworm can go away on its own, but it may take months. During that time, your cat could spread the infection to humans and other pets in your home. Not to mention, ringworm can be very uncomfortable for your cat. Medication will more quickly treat the infection and help relieve your cat's symptoms.
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.
How can u tell if a cat has ringworm?
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.
What happens if ringworm is left untreated in dogs?
What happens if ringworm goes untreated in dogs? Ringworm can go away on its own, but it will take longer than treating the infection. Your dog will also be uncomfortable and contagious for a longer period of time without treatment. Untreated ringworm in dogs could potentially spread to all of their skin.
How do I clean my house after ringworm on my dog?
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.
