But the species of fungi that causes ringworm in pets is different from those common among humans. These fungi may sometimes be transferred to a person in close contact with the pet, but the ringworm is not as likely to spread from that person to another. Microsporum canis M. Cats and dogs can both carry it, but cats are considered the most important hosts. Long-haired breeds such as Persian cats and Yorkshire terriers are reported to be more susceptible.
The incubation period for ringworm in humans is usually one to two weeks. Because the fungal spores are present before you see the ringworm outbreak, you can catch it from someone even before it shows up on them.
There are also some people and animals who can have ringworm but show no symptoms. They can still transfer the ringworm to you. Under an ultraviolet light, it may appear on the fur within seven days of exposure. During that time, your pet may be infectious without your seeing any symptoms. As long as the fungal spores are present in the skin, the ringworm can be spread from person to person, or animal to person.
However, once you start treatment, if you cover the lesions you can significantly decrease the risk of spreading them to others. The condition is contagious until all the spores are eliminated from your skin. The fungal spores can also stay alive on clothing, bedding, and elsewhere as long as their food supply dead skin cells is present, and they have a moist and warm environment.
Spores can live for as long as 12 to 20 months in the right environment. 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. A four-week course is common , but the time can vary. 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.
More serious cases, and infections in the scalp , can require oral antifungal pills. In fact, ringworm that occurs in one person on one area can be transmitted to someone else and show up on a completely different body part, depending on how the fungus was transmitted.
The infection can spread via skin-to-skin contact, clothing, or surfaces where the fungus lives, such as in showers or locker rooms. In most cases, the rash is treated in the same way : with a topical antifungal treatment, such as Lotrimin clotrimazole or Lamisil terbinafine. The one exception to the simple treatment rule is for a scalp infection, which occurs more commonly in children and is noticeable because a ring of hair loss will often occur in the infected area.
Ringworm that reaches the scalp entails much more intensive treatment — typically six weeks of an oral antifungal medication rather than a topical cream. Because ringworm typically has a distinctive circular appearance, you may think you know what you have and treat it yourself with over-the-counter OTC remedies.
Some basic steps families can take to avoid the spread of ringworm include being careful about what you share: Teach kids not to wear each other's hats, and make sure each family member uses their own comb and brush. As a result, if a person has ringworm, they should avoid touching their groin area or feet.
Doing so could cause the ringworm to spread to these parts of the body. A person who contracts ringworm from a pet cannot pass it on to another human. In this case, the fungus can only pass from animal to human.
These include:. In many cases, it is possible to prevent ringworm. Some steps that a person can take to prevent this infection include:. A person who has ringworm can spread the infection both to other parts of their body and to other people. To prevent this, people should take the following precautions:. People who have ringworm should avoid sharing their personal items. Some items to avoid sharing include:. Treatment typically involves the direct application of an antifungal cream to the ringworm lesion.
These creams are available over the counter. When applying the cream, people should cover the visible lesion and spread the cream out to 2. People should continue to use the cream for at least 7 days after the lesion has completely cleared. According to one study , ointments or creams could take about 4 weeks to clear a ringworm infection. However, the exact duration of the infection depends on the location and severity of the lesion.
A lesion that forms on an area of the body with little to no hair may resolve in 2—4 weeks with treatment. If the infection is severe or in an area with a lot of hair, it can take longer to heal.
Ringworm that occurs on the scalp requires prescription medicine, such as oral antifungals. The doctor may also prescribe a medicated shampoo. Without treatment, ringworm can disappear within a few months. However, the person is contagious to themselves and others during this time.
Ringworm is a highly contagious fungal skin infection. It can occur anywhere on the body but is particularly common in the groin area and on the feet. A person can use medicated ointments and creams to treat ringworm topically.
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