-
Causes
-
The keratinophilic fungi that cause ringworm thrive on hairs and skin cells of animals and humans. The fungus invades and damages hair follicles. Hair at the infected site may become brittle.
Risks
-
Cats at risk for ringworm may live with many other infected animals, experience an inadequate quarantine period, or lack good nutrition. Even hair caught on a fence can transmit the fungi by direct contact. Cats can act as carriers for the fungi without showing symptoms.
The fungi thrive in warm, moist areas, and sometime spread with direct contact from infected cats to humans. Humans may also be at risk for the ring-shaped rash with blistered skin that could develop into a bacterial infection.
Symptoms
-
Infection occurs more often in young cats. What begins as a pimple can develop into scaly skin or scabs. As the sore or rash changes, a ring shape forms. Lesions can appear on the head, ears, front paws and tail. Severe scale or dander may appear. Not all cats experience itchiness. Cats may show signs of alopecia, or bald patches.
Diagnosis
-
A ringworm diagnosis can involve skin scrapings or plucked hair. Cat owners can brush the coat with a clean toothbrush to provide a sample.
White Sulfur Treatment
-
The white sulfur treatment for cats can help coagulate blood to stop bleeding, dry wounds, and promote healing. Biological sulfur is a component in protein, enzymes, tissues, and hormones. One source, methyl sulfonyl methane (MSM), is available in powder form as a topical antiseptic. Clip the coat and rub this white sulfur powder into the cat's skin.
-
White Sulfur and Ringworm
Ringworm, or dermatophytosis, causes round lesions with raised edges on different parts of the body. Ringworm is not a worm, but fungi that cause the common skin infection. Ringworm can transmit from animals to humans and cause veterinary and human health problems.