Thats likely if the infection has progressed beyond the mild stage. Once treated, only the original fungus remains and can be removed with other treatment options. Ringworm can go away on its own, but it may take 3-5 months. The ringworm will last longer and remain contagious for an extended time if only minimal measures are taken or if you are not compliant with the prescribed approach. The incubation stage between exposure to the fungus and the development of ringworm lesions typically ranges from 7-14 days; whereas certain cases can take up to 21 days before any infection symptoms develop. How contagious is ringworm from a cat to a human? It can take anywhere between 2-4 weeks after treatment for you to see any improvement in your cats health and signs of ringworm going away. The only difference is a cats fur obscuring the actual marks and rashes caused on the skin. Ringworm cultures will be done periodically after the start of treatment to determine if your pet is still infected. Create a soothing environment for your cat by opening the window shades or window treatments, so your pet can access sunshine. Note, however, if you have a pet with ringworm, they're likely to stay contagious for up to three weeks once you start treating them. Most healthy cats can heal without treatment within 3-5 months, but proper care and medication will enable them to recover faster. Ringworm remains contagious during the first 48 hours of treatment in people and for about 3 weeks from the start of aggressive treatment in pets. In addition to topical medications, your vet may prescribe a medicated shampoo designed to treat ringworm. If youre dealing with a severe case, you may need to take your cat back to the vet every 2 weeks so a culture sample can be taken. These are called granulomas. These products need to be applied directly to the cats skin to kill off the dermatophytes and heal the skin. Ringworm spreads rapidly. I've noticed the lesion has stopped spreading, and some of the redness has gone- which, now, the lesion is turning Restricting your four-legged friends to a certain room of your house that is easy to clean is not a bad idea! It can take anywhere between 2-4 weeks after treatment for you to see any improvement in your cats health and signs of ringworm going away. Rest assured that humans generally respond well to treatment. 2. nails. Get practical pet health tips, articles, and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox. Once your cat is completely covered in the dip, put them immediately into their bed, so they can be warm until they dry. Ringworm is not actually a worm, but a fungal disease that affects non-living tissue which contain keratin such as skin, hair and nails. isn't actually a worm at all. I've noticed the lesion has stopped spreading, and some of the redness has gone- which, now, the lesion is turning The response of individual cats to treatment varies and if therapy is stopped too soon, the disease may recur. The ringworm will last longer and remain contagious for an extended time if only minimal measures are taken or if you are not compliant with the prescribed approach. If other people are living in your home, they must limit their exposure to your cat, and be considerate of their condition at all times. Avoid sending your cat outdoors to roam, as it can infect other animals. To speed up the ringworm recovery process, use a vet-prescribed topical ointment or shampoo. If ringworm infection is severe, your doctor may prescribe oral antifungal medications along with a topical treatment. Infected animals shed spores into the environment, so disinfection of the areas where your cat spends time is as important as treating your actual cat. Infection of other animals and humans can occur, either by direct contact with an infected cat or through contact with fungal spores in a contaminated environment. Clipping the hair (with careful disposal of the hair) combined with topical antifungal treatment of affected areas of skin may help to reduce environmental contamination. There are three main ways that ringworm can spread: 1. To minimize the risk of reinfection, you must clean the house thoroughly: It can take anywhere between 2-4 weeks after treatment for you to see any improvement in your cats health and signs of ringworm going away. 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. Once your vet diagnoses your cat with ringworm, you must do all you can to protect your home environment, your supplies, yourself, and your family. If any people in the house develop skin lesions, especially small patches of skin thickening and reddening with raised scaly edges, medical attention should be sought. Any marks should leave, and youll notice the re-growth of your cats hair. Massage the liquid into your cats fur, use your bathtub or sink and wear gloves. Oral Treatment In most cases of ringworm, effective treatment will require the administration of an oral anti-fungal drug. Give the right amount of treatment to your infected cat as discontinued treatment as too early a stage can cause a recurrence of the infection. You may only find out that your cat is a carrier if other animals in the household or humans who have come into contact with your cat begin to develop circular, itchy, red skin lesions. That being said, touching the ringworm fungus doesnt always result in an infection. This is important to know since ringworm can sometimes be passed from animals to humans. Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, bedding, and brushes. People can get ringworm after contact with someone who has the infection. If you notice those circular patches in your cat, its more than likely ringworm, and your cat will need immediate veterinary attention. A four-week course is common, but the time can vary. Young, elderly, poorly nourished or sickly animals are most at risk. It's a fungus that shows itself on an Ringworm is more likely to be transmitted to and cause clinical signs in humans who have a depressed immune system. Mild ringworm often responds to antifungal medications applied to the skin. It can spread through direct contact, but can also live on surfaces such as bedding, towels and grooming equipment for up to two years. Ringworm may sometimes cause a more generalized condition where a larger area of the body is affected, often appearing as patchy hair loss. Even before the onset of symptoms, ringworm can still be contagious during the incubation period. This is why following your treatment is of utmost importance. Do not stop treatment unless your vet recommended that you stop. Affiliate of Mars Inc. 2023 | Copyright VCA Animal Hospitals all rights reserved. The lesions appearance might not change much within the first week of treatment, but you will notice significant improvement after two to three weeks. Choose a room that doesnt get used often by anyone in the house. The name comes from the classical appearance of the round, red, raised 'ring' marking the boundary of inflammation in people infected with the disease. Do not use scissors to remove your cats hair. Toys are essential in keeping your kittys spirits up; they will need mental stimulation especially without the attention you normally can provide! Exfoliating kits are available at local pet stores, but choose one thats designed especially to suit a cats skin and its pH level. 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. After 48 hours of treatment, ringworm usually is no longer easily spread. You will be the best judge of your cats progress (by visually seeing, or not seeing, ringworm outbreaks). Once the cat is contained to a safe area, the treatment stage begins. Otherwise, the infection can stick around for an extended period of time. After 48 hours of treatment, ringworm usually is no longer easily spread. Ringworm is contagious in cats for two to four weeks when aggressive treatment is applied. Youll have to apply these products to your cats affected skin directly to get rid of ringworm. The vet said to hold off on the ballistic housecleaning to eliminate spores, because she would continue to shed the spores into the environment for 3-4 days. Redness or gray scaling of the lesions may also be noted, along with dull, poor fur. Treatment is usually a combination of medication applied to the cats skin and an oral medication. Infected pets remain contagious for about three weeks if aggressive treatment is used. Ringworm fungi feed on the protein that makes up the outer layers of the skin, hair, and nails. Surrounding hairs become infected and can break off due to brittleness. Ringworm can spread while petting or grooming dogs or cats with ringworm. The disease can last longer and remain contagious if an owner uses only minimal measures to treat the infection. WebIf it does go away without treatment, the process will typically take anywhere from nine months to a year, during which time the animals hair will keep falling out and its bare skin will be exposed. The fungus lives in the soil, on animals or humans. Climate: Cats that live in warmer, more humid climates have a higher infection rate. Youll know the ringworm is completely gone when two culture samples both come back clear. For treatment to be successful, all environmental contamination must also be eliminated. Hair loss, especially in small and ring-like patterns, Over-grooming, with the cat itching or biting at its skin, Red patches where the hair has fallen out (or when you push the hair aside to inspect closely), Skin rashes, with particularly rough, scaly skin, Short, course patches of hair where the follicles have broken down. In both cases, untreated ringworm remains contagious for much longer. People can get ringworm after contact with someone who has the infection. Already have a myVCA account? However, you should only give them toys that can be disinfected safely without harming your cat with the chemicals, or give them DIY toys that can be thrown out after theyve finished playing. In mild ringworm cases on shorthaired cats, treatment Individuals with suppressed immune systems, such as children and the elderly, are more at risk of contracting ringworm. The same applies to the elderly. Keeping your infected cat away from other animals, objects, surfaces, and family members is recommended during this time. Cats with ringworm will be contagious for about 3 weeksif aggressive treatment is used. It can take up to 14 days for ringworm to start to itch after youre infected. Contact with ringworm fungus does not always result in an infection. Although humans may be infected by animals such as cats, other common sources of human infection include rich garden soil and other humans. Ringworm often spreads by direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person or animal. Thats why its common in people who play contact sports such as wrestling. To prevent recurrence during the recovery period, make sure to keep your cat environment, your house, and furniture clean at its best! With treatment, a ringworm infection on a part of the body without hair is likely to clear up within two to four weeks of the start of treatment. Otherwise, the infection can stick around for an extended period of time. The amount of environmental contamination is an important factor in the development of a ringworm infection, as is the age of the exposed animal. PCR testing: PCR tests are performed on hairs, looking for fungal DNA. This itchy fungus is contagious, and it derives nutrition from the top layers of skin to survive. The red rash can actually take a few days to appear on your skin. Your goal is to disinfect your home entirely to help prevent the spread of ringworm. 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