Ringworm is the most common fungal skin infection seen in cats. Contrary to the name, ringworm is caused by a microscopic group of parasitic fungal organisms known as dermatophytes (which means "plants that live on the skin"). Ringworm invades the dead, outer layers of the skin, claws & hair.
Ringworm is often a misdiagnosis for other conditions, especially numular eczema and pityriasis rosea.
Remember that athlete's foot is unusual in preteen children. These children often have Juvenile Plantar Dermatosis or a contact dermatitis when they have an itchy red rash on their feet.
Ringworm is only mildly contagious, so children undergoing treatment may continue to attend school or daycare. In addition to infected people, you can get ringworm from infected cats and dogs. So examine your pets if someone in your family develops ringworm.
Wash the rash with soap and water, remove flaky skin, and dry thoroughly. For large areas of blistered sores, use compresses such as those made with Burow's solution (available without a prescription) to soothe and dry out the blisters.
Apply antifungal cream beyond the edge or border of the rash.
Follow the directions on the package. Don't stop using the medicine just because your symptoms go away. You will probably need to continue treatment for 2 to 4 weeks.
Shampoos/Dips: Lime sulfur dips are the most effective. Sometimes clipping the cat (especially longhaired cats) is recommended to increase the effectiveness of treatment & also decrease environmental contamination. The cat must not be allowed to lick it's coat before it dries as this can cause vomiting. Bathing should be done every 4 - 6 days for approximately 2 - 4 weeks. Lime sulfur dips can cause yellowing of the coat, this however will fade in time.
Anti-fungal creams can be purchased for this infection, and are usually combined with a mild antiseptic and a mild steroid to reduce your itching. Keeping the infected area clean and well aired plays an important role in healing this infection. If your over the counter treatment fails, or the infection is widespread, you should see your doctor. He can prescribe you some oral medication such as fluconazole.
The first order of business with treating this is for the person to avoid self-diagnosis and to get a correct diagnosis from a doctor. Treatment for Ringworm is either topically or orally. Several medications are clotrimazole and miconazole and ketoconazole and terbinfine (Lamisil cream and lotion) which are creams that comes in many brands. These medications are often good for foot fungus also. Oral medications are itraconazole and fluconazole and contrary to popular belief these are not harmful to the liver.
Israel compensates for ringworm treatment
The Israeli government has announced that it will give financial compensation to former patients with ringworm who were given radiation treatment and who then developed cancer. In common with other countries, Israel treated patients with ringworm over four decades ago with high dose radiation. Now the Israeli government--while insisting that radiation was then a "treatment of choice" for the fungal disease--has decided to compensate these victims or their dependants financially.