Myths & Facts About Ringworm

When you hear the term “ringworm,” do you imagine a collection of tiny worms slithering around on your skin? Then you may have fallen prey to one of the many misconceptions about this common skin condition. In reality, ringworm is far less creepy than the name suggests.

In this article, we’ll clear up some of the myths that continue to circulate about ringworm.

Myth 1: Ringworm is caused by a worm

Probably the most pervasive ringworm myth, this one stems from the condition’s name. Despite its creepy-crawly name, ringworm (also called tinea) is not caused by any worm. The culprit is actually a group of fungi called dermatophytes, which can cause skin infections. Ringworm gets its name from the distinctive ring-like pattern the red spots often form on the skin.

Myth 2: Ringworm only affects the skin

Although ringworm often does appear on the skin, including the scalp, it can also show up on the fingernails or toenails. Ringworm of the nails doesn’t create a ring-like pattern. Instead, it turns the nails thick, yellow, and brittle.

Myth 3: Everyone with ringworm develops red rings on their skin

Some people who are infected do develop the scaly red ring that gives the condition its name — but not everyone. If you get ringworm infection, you will probably see bumpy red patches around your skin, but they won’t necessarily take the shape of rings. On your scalp, ringworm may look more like a flaky red pimple than a ring.

Myth 4: Only children get ringworm

Children are more likely to get certain types of ringworm, but you can get infected with the fungus at any age.

Myth 5: Ringworm isn’t contagious

In fact, the opposite is true. Ringworm spreads easily from person to person, especially in communal areas like locker rooms and neighborhood pools. Ringworm is so contagious, in fact, that you don’t even have to touch someone to get infected. The fungus can linger in places like locker room floors, as well as on hats, combs, and brushes.

If you share an infected brush or comb, you can develop ringworm of the scalp. The highly contagious nature of the condition is why doctors recommend staying away from anyone who is infected, as well as their personal items.

Myth 6: You’ll see symptoms of ringworm right after you’re infected

Ringworm has a long incubation period. The red rash can actually take a few days to appear on your skin. If you have ringworm of the scalp, you may not see any signs for a full two weeks after you were exposed.

Myth 7: You can’t catch ringworm from your pet

Humans and their pets can share a number of diseases, including ringworm. Not only can you catch ringworm from your cat, dog, rabbit, or bird, but you can give it to your pet, too. That’s why it’s important to take your pet to the vet if you suspect ringworm. Keep infected pets away from your family — as well as from other pets. And wash your hands with soap and warm water every time you touch your pet until the infection clears.

Myth 8: A flaky scalp is probably dandruff, not ringworm

Not necessarily. Sometimes ringworm of the scalp doesn’t produce the signature ring. Instead, the skin becomes scaly and flaky, much like dandruff.

Myth 9: Only the infected person needs to be treated for ringworm

Because ringworm is so contagious, other people in the household may also need to be treated — even if they don’t have any symptoms. If there’s a chance they may have picked up ringworm of the scalp, they may need to use a special shampoo or even pills and be examined to determine if there is an infection.

Myth 10: Ringworm is treated with antibiotics

Antibiotics kill bacteria. They won’t work on ringworm, which is caused by a fungus. Ringworm is treated with antifungal medicines that you either rub on the skin or take by mouth. Ringworm of the scalp is treated with a special shampoo and an oral antifungal medicine. You may have to keep using whatever medicine you’re prescribed for several weeks to fully get rid of the infection.

Myth 11: Once you get ringworm, you can’t catch it again

It’s common to get infected again, especially with ringworm of the nails.

Stages of Ringworm Healing – See What Stage You’re In and What’s Next

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Okay. So you think you have ringworm. A physician gave you a fungal exposure test and your results will be available by the end of the day. After the disappointing news you were given a prescription for anti-fungal cream or you’re told to get yourself some over the counter Lotrimin before being sent on your way.

Whether you head to your local pharmacy, or leave it to amazon to deliver Lotrimin antifungal ringworm cream (link to product), either way, you’ve got this!

After several days of treatment, you’re happy to report that the itch went away and even the redness is reduced. You feel normal again, but are you cured? Did the ringworm resolve?

In a word: No. The healing has only just begun! As you’re about to see in the upcoming ringworm healing chart, a typical ringworm infection, even with treatment takes 2-4 weeks to be fully eradicated. What’s more is as long as you have ringworm, you can infect someone else and they, in turn, can re-infect you.

Pets and People and Ringworm

Please also note: if you have pets, your home is even more susceptible to the never ending cycle of ringworm and the passing of ringworm back and forth until the fungus is removed from your home. If this sounds familiar, read our in-house article: cleaners that kill ringworm.

Let’s cover the stages of healing so you can get an idea of where you might be in the process and then we’ll cover some other FAQ’s about ringworm.

Stages of Ringworm Healing Chart

Here is a visual chart of the progression of ringworm. It sequences a ringworm infection from first exposure to the time you’re completely healed. The color zone means you are contagious and can pass ringworm spores to someone else (or your pet).

How long does ringworm take to appear?

The typical symptoms of a ringworm fungal infection are: redness,
irritation, itching, cracked or scaly skin, bumps and/or ring-shaped rashes.

These symptoms appear within one or two weeks following contact with the infecting source. Most often it will appear on one of these areas of the body: the toes and feet (tinea pedis; “athlete’s foot”), underarms or torso (tinea corpus),and the genitals or buttocks (tinea cruris; “jock itch”).

Note: if your ringworm is on the toes and feet, (athlete’s foot) consider Lotrimin spray (link to spray product) vs. cream, especially if it’s hard for you to reach your feet. The spray is known for getting into hard to reach places.

It may also occur on the scalp when hair is regularly sweat-laden and hot, such as under a hard hat. This last type of infection should be treated immediately by a doctor as it can be more severe.

How long does ringworm take to heal?

While the actual length of time will differ from person to person, it generally takes 2-4 weeks for the condition to clear up with treatment. Here are some ways to tell where you are in the healing process:

Stages of Ringworm Healing – With Treatment

Stage 1: Less itching

The first symptoms of ringworm that will diminish during treatment are the
itching and redness. Blisters and the ring-shaped rash will still be present,
but may look less red and irritated. It is important that you continue using
the anti-fungal even though you may be “feeling better.”

Stage 2: Flaky skin appearing

The next sign the ringworm infection is healing is the appearance of flaky skin. Do not use hand or body lotions unless instructed by your physician. Wash the skin with warm water and pat dry with a soft cloth. Continue applying your anti-fungal ointment as prescribed.

Stage 3: Skin sores oozing

Oozing sores are the body’s way of flushing infection. Do not prematurely
puncture or drain blisters. Wash only with warm water and pat dry with a soft
cloth. Continue applying your anti-fungal ointment as prescribed.

Stage 4: Redness fading

Skin will appear mostly normal with minor blemishes. During this stage your prescription will may run out. Still wash area with care and watch for any breaks in the skin or return of symptoms. Consult your Dr. at once if you’re re-entering the cycle.

How to tell if skin fungus is dying

Two to four weeks is a long time for a ringworm infection to heal. How can you be sure the otc ointment or prescribed fungal cream is doing its job? When you are applying the anti-fungal ointment every day, you may wonder about some things you see at the infection site:

Why does ringworm cause
flaking skin?

Dry or flaky skin is a sign that the fungus is being deprived of the damp, musty conditions it needed to grow. This is good! Wash with warm water and pat dry with a soft cloth. Do not rub, or scarring may occur.

Does ringworm ooze when
healing?

Yes. Even if you’re avoiding scratching or rubbing, some parts of the infected area may ooze or drip. This draining is necessary for the healing to progress properly. Wash carefully with warm water and a soft cloth. Alcohols or antiseptics can damage the healing skin so follow Dr’s orders only.

The oozing condition will diminish over time as the infecting fungus is killed off and healthy skin replaces it.

Back to the doctor?

The healing process does take time and goes through several stages. Most doctors and pharmacists will tell you to KEEP using the cream even though you think the ringworm is gone. Visit your doctor if:

• the infection appears to spread
• the healing seems “stuck” in one stage
• the rash returns: redness, irritation, itching, cracked or scaly skin, bumps and/or ring-shaped rashes.

Preventing future infections

How can you avoid a ringworm infection in the future? Remember, the fungus
that causes ringworm thrives in damp, dark places. Pay particular attention to
body areas with joints and creases where sweat and dirt can easily collect.

Here are a few preventative measures:

• Avoid areas where fungal infections are common
• Wear protective gloves while treating another infected person or animal.
• Wear clean breathable fabrics, like cotton, around feet and genitals.
• Dry skin thoroughly before dressing.
• Wash sweat and grime from skin and hair as soon as possible following vigorous activity.

Background: What is ringworm?

Despite the name, ringworm is not a worm infection. Ringworm infections are
a type of dermatophyte (skin infection) and cannot be treated
with a de-wormer. Ringworm is caused by contact with fungus. Fungus thrives in
dark, damp areas and can infect people or animals. Ringworm can infect almost
any part of the body if the climate is hot and humid.

Ringworm can be transmitted animal to human, and human to human as long as
the lesions or ring-shaped marks are visible, oozing, or otherwise opened.

Ringworm Healing Summary

Some ringworm infections can be severe and require systemic treatment by a doctor (such as the scalp variety). However, most are successfully treated by applying an anti-fungal ointment to the infection site. The ointment can be prescribed by a doctor or purchased over the counter. The active ingredient in most anti-fungal ointments for humans is clotrimazole.

The ointment is typically applied for two weeks, but it can take up to four
weeks to resolve some severe infections. Follow your doctor’s instructions.

–

Resources:

Centers for Disease Control, “Ringworm” https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/ringworm/treatment.html

The Mayo Clinic, “Ringworm” https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ringworm-body/symptoms-causes/syc-20353780

World Health Organization, “Dermatophyte infections” https://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/en/d/Jh3918e/5.html

Stoppler, Melissa C., Dr. “Ringworm” MedicineNet https://www.medicinenet.com/ringworm/article.htm

Ringworm | disease | Britannica

Ringworm, superficial skin lesions caused by a highly specialized group of fungi called dermatophytes that live and multiply on the surface of the skin and feed on keratin, the horny protein constituting the major part of the outermost layer of the skin and of the hair and nails. The fungi produce responses in the skin that vary from slight scaling to blistering and marked disruption of the keratin layer. The lesions are usually round or ring shaped and can be either dry and scaly or moist and covered with vesicles (blisters), depending on the body area and the type of fungus involved.

Ringworm is also referred to as tinea, both names referring to the round shape of most of the lesions, similar to the larva of the clothes moth, genus Tinea. In specifying the condition, tinea is usually followed by a modifying term indicating the body area or characteristics of the lesions. Thus, ringworm of the scalp, beard, and nails is also referred to as tinea capitis, tinea barbae or tinea sycosis, and tinea unguium (also called onychomycosis), respectively; ringworm of the body, groin, hands, and feet, as tinea corporis, tinea cruris (also called jock itch), tinea manuum, and tinea pedis, respectively. Tinea pedis is commonly referred to as athlete’s foot, which may be of either the dry or inflammatory type. In the latter type, the infection may lie dormant much of the time and undergo occasional acute exacerbations, with the development of vesicles (blisters) affecting chiefly the skin folds between the toes. The dry type is a chronic process marked by slight redness of the skin and dry scaling that may involve the sole and sides of the foot as well as the toenails, which become thick and brittle.

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Varieties of ringworm characterized by specific skin lesions include: Oriental ringworm, Tokelau ringworm, or tinea imbricata (Latin: “overlapping like tiles”), so called because it occurs chiefly in tropical climates and consists of concentric rings of overlapping scales; crusted, or honeycomb, ringworm, also called favus, a ringworm of the scalp, characterized by the formation of yellow, cup-shaped crusts that enlarge to form honeycomb-like masses; and black dot ringworm, also a ringworm of the scalp, deriving its distinctive appearance and name from the breaking of the hairs at the scalp surface. Except for ringworm of the scalp, which tends to be highly contagious, the contraction of ringworm depends to a large extent on individual susceptibility and predisposing factors, such as excessive perspiration.

Diagnosis of ringworm is made by observation and by microscopic examination. Treatment with topical or oral antifungal agents may be effective. Limited exposure to ultraviolet radiation may also be helpful.

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Breaking a Cycle of Ringworm

Topical antifungals are the only practical treatment when it comes to ringworm on cattle. (Progressive Farmer photo by Becky Mills)

Dr. Ken McMillan, Contributor

Question

I have a problem with ringworm in my feeder calves when I wean them in the Fall. They are fine until I wean them, so I think they are being exposed to ringworm in the corrals and barns. What can I do to stop this cycle?

Answer

It’s important to remember, ringworm spores can exist in the environment for months or even years. The first step in suspected cases of ringworm is to confirm that it is actually ringworm, and then to evaluate individual affected animals and overall herd health. Treatment should initially focus on correcting any underlying health issues, including treatment for lice and other external parasites. In many cases, skin issues resolve without specific treatment for ringworm.

The only practical treatment of ringworm on cattle involves topical antifungal products. Various solutions, including Betadine, chlorhexidine and dilute “Chlorox” as well as antifungal ointments are used. For these to be effective, however, crusts and scales overlying the active infection must be removed by brushing, scraping or scrubbing. Merely spraying an antifungal on the animal does not produce consistent results. This essentially limits treatment to cattle that are easily handled like show or dairy animals. Stockers would certainly not fit into that category.

The first step in environmental treatment is to the remove any sharp or rough metal or wood that can cut, scrap or abrade skin. Fencing, trees, alleyways, chutes, halters, grooming equipment and tack used with horses can be sources of ringworm. Many products are labeled to treat ringworm in the environment, but several recent studies have shown they are not effective in barns and outside areas. These products were “proved” using a test tube or ringworm organisms and not in real world situations.

On farms many areas have organic material that protect ringworm organisms. It is important to remove as much of this material as possible by scrubbing with detergents and/or pressure washing. Steam pressure washing is better, but does not consistently kill ringworm. After cleaning the areas, a few disinfectants have been shown to be effective. Household bleach used at concentrations of at least 1:32 (1/2 cup per gallon of water) is the most available option. Other effective products include Virkon-S (a detergent-peroxide based product) and an accelerated hydrogen peroxide such as the Rescue line of products. An environmental spray containing enilconazole was also found to be effective. Any potentially contaminated area should be thoroughly sprayed and may even need repeat treatments.

(c) Copyright 2020 DTN, LLC. All rights reserved.

VY-56

VY-56

VY-56

Animal Health

Cooperative Extension Service

Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN 47907

R. L. Morter, D.V.M., C. James Callahan, D.V.M.

School of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University

Cause

Ringworm is caused by infection of the hair and surface layers of
the skin by fungi. It occurs in all species of animals including man.
Fungal infections cause little, if any, permanent damage or economic
loss. However, because ringworm is a transmissable infectious disease,
animals with lesions are barred from exhibitions or shows by
regulations of the State Board of Animal Health.

Infection of the skin and hair of cattle is most frequently due
to Trichophyton verrucosum, a spore forming fungi. Spores are shed
from the lesion by broken hairs or scabs from the lesion. The spores
remain alive for years in a dry environment; and because they do,
halters, grooming equipment, or even a barn can remain infective for
years.

Transmission

Direct contact with infected animals, particularly with cattle
confined to a barn, is a common method of spreading the fungi. Some
infected calves have a degree of natural immunity that prevents
development of lesions; however, they can be a source of infection.
Show calves are frequently infected from spore contaminated equipment
that has not been properly cleaned.

Spores germinate and attack the shafts of the hair and the
surface layers of the skin. Exudate oozes from the damaged skin and
mixes with debris from skin and hair, thereby forming a crusty scab.
The scab is grey-white and noticeably higher than the surrounding
skin. Infection spreads from the center outwards and results in the
circular lesion 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. Adjacent lesions may
overlap and create larger infected areas. Lesions are most frequent on
the head and neck, but they may be found over the entire body in
severe cases. Scabs may fall from older lesions and leave a hairless
area in the center, one that has a ring of exudate at the edge. Hence,
the name ringworm.

Treatment

Many of the treatments appear successful because of spontaneous
recovery shortly after treatment has been started. Ringworm is
frequently severe in confined cattle during the winter; spontaneous
recovery occurs in the spring and summer. Topical treatment,
application of the medication directly onto the lesion, is the usual
procedure. Medication cannot penetrate the crusts; the crusts should
be removed by scraping or brushing. They should be collected and
burned to avoid contaminating the premises. Lesions should be treated
at least twice, three to five days apart. Topical application of a 2%
solution of iodine, Whitfield’s ointment (also used to treat athlete’s
foot in man), or thiabendazole paste are all suitable. Oral
griseofulvin may be used but the prolonged treatment and expense of
the drug make it impractical in all but valuable animals.

Prevention

Vaccines are not available. But, cleaning and disinfecting barns
with a strong detergent followed by a solution of 1 gallon of
household bleach diluted with 3 gallons of water does a good job.
Halters and grooming equipment can be disinfected with bleach or a 4%
solution of formaldehyde. At the first sign of the lesions of
ringworm, topical treatment should be started. Reducing the density
of animals and direct contact in addition to increased exposure to
sunlight and being maintained on dry lots help prevent the spread
between animals.

RR 5/92

Reference to products in this publication is not intended to be an
endorsement to the exclusion of others which may be similar. Persons
using such products assume responsibility for their use in accordance
with current label directions of the manufacturer.

Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics, State of
Indiana, Purdue University and U.S. Department of Agriculture
Cooperating. H.A. Wadsworth, Director, West Lafayette, IN. Issued in
furtherance of the Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914. It is the policy
of the Cooperative Extension Service of Purdue University that all
persons shall have equal opportunity and access to our programs and
facilities.

How to tell the difference between psoriasis and ringworm

It is often difficult to differentiate between skin conditions. Two skin conditions often confused with each other are psoriasis and ringworm (dermatophytosis). Knowing the symptoms of each condition can help you to identify your rash. 

What are the differences? 

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition caused by the rapid growth of skin cells and inflammation. It changes the life cycle of your skin cells.

Typical cell turnover allows skin cells to grow, live, die and slough off on a regular basis. Skin cells affected by psoriasis grow rapidly but stay on the body. This causes a build-up of skin cells on the skin’s surface, which leads to thick, red, scaly patches of skin. These patches are most common on the knees, elbows, genitals and toenails.

Ringworm, on the other hand, is a temporary red, circular rash that develops on your skin and, despite its name, is not caused by a worm, but a fungal infection. The rash typically appears as a red circle with clear or normal-looking skin in the centre. Ringworm is highly contagious and spreads through skin contact. 

Symptoms of psoriasis

Not everyone’s psoriasis symptoms are the same. Symptoms may include:

• Red patches of skin
• Silvery scales over red patches of skin
• Dry, cracked skin that might bleed
• Itching, burning or soreness
• Sore or stiff joints
• Thick, ridged or pitted nails

Psoriasis may appear as one or two patches, or it may cause clusters of patches that grow to cover a large area.

Treatment can reduce symptoms, but psoriasis patches may be an issue for the rest of your life. Thankfully, many people experience periods of low or no activity. These periods, which are called remission, may, however, be followed by periods of increased activity.

The signs and symptoms of ringworm may include:

• A red, scaly area that may or may not itch
• A raised border around the scaly area
• An expanding scaly area that forms a circle
• A circle with red bumps or scales and a clear centre

You may develop more than one circle, which can overlap.

Treating psoriasis and ringworm 

Both ringworm and psoriasis can be effectively managed and treated. Currently, psoriasis can’t be cured, but treatments can reduce symptoms.

Ringworm treatments can eliminate the infection. This will reduce the chances of passing it on to other people. 

When to see your doctor 

Make an appointment to see your dermatologist if you have developed an unusual spot on your skin. If you think you came into contact with a person or animal with ringworm, be sure to tell your doctor.

If you have a family history of psoriasis, mention that as well. In most cases, however, your doctor can diagnose the condition just by conducting a thorough skin examination.

^{Image credit: iStock}

Dermatophyte – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics

Pathogenicity

Dermatophytes normally infect only the keratinized stratum corneum of the epithelial skin layers.¹ They are restricted to the stratum corneum by cellular immune components. An indication of the relative importance of lymphocytes in host defense is seen in HIV infection, in which helper T-cell counts below 100 cells/mL correlate with a marked increase in onychomycosis, including the unusual ‘proximal white’ form.

Dermatophytes differ in their host interactions.¹ Anthropophilic dermatophytes, specific to human disease, are distinguished from zoophilic dermatophytes, which have specific animal associations but may be transmitted to humans, and from geophilic dermatophytes, which are occasionally pathogenic to humans or animals but primarily grow on decaying keratinous material. Infection of humans by zoophilic dermatophytes usually elicits a pronounced inflammatory response. Such inflamed lesions may resolve spontaneously, unlike the often chronic lesions of anthropophilic dermatophytoses.

The common anthropophilic dermatophytes include lower body dermatophytes associated with sites other than the scalp, and dermatophytes strongly adapted for tinea capitis, less commonly causing other tineas. Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes complex and Epidermophyton floccosum are the common lower body species.¹ Tinea capitis dermatophytes consist of two major groups distinguished by their colonization of hair.

Tinea capitis agents primarily cause new infections in children, and may cause dramatic outbreaks.¹ Microsporum audouinii infections spontaneously resolve at 15–19 years of age, but most endothrix agents cause lifelong asymptomatic infections in some adult carriers.² New anthropophilic tinea capitis infections are usually acquired via shared headgear, bedding or grooming and haircutting instruments. Adults who acquire new infections caused by endothrix species usually have intimate contact with infected children. Anthropophilic lower body dermatophytoses are often acquired via the feet, either from family members or in communal aquatic or exercise facilities. After infecting the feet, these fungi may go on to infect other body sites.

Zoophilic dermatophytes usually cause tinea corporis or tinea capitis in humans.¹ They may be transmitted directly from infected animals or from fomites, such as fence posts in farm yards. Microsporum canis may cause limited outbreaks among humans before virulence is attenuated.

C. albicans is often acquired in the birth canal or in infancy from caregivers.¹ Generally, an individual harbors only one or two strains. Cutaneous candidosis is predisposed to by warm, moist conditions with abrasion, especially in the diaper rash of infancy but also in adult occupations that involve wet hands. In the latter cases, paronychia or interdigital erosion frequently results. Intertriginous candidosis occurs in moist body folds and is exacerbated by diabetes mellitus or obesity. Chronic mucocutaneous candidosis (CMC), in which skin and mucosa are extensively colonized by C. albicans, results from inherited defects in cellular immunity¹ (see also Chapter 78).

Malassezia spp. are also generally acquired as commensal surface flora in early infancy. They primarily use fatty acids secreted by the skin. Corticosteroid use, Cushing’s disease, malnutrition and immunosuppression may contribute to an increased frequency of tinea versicolor.

90,000 ⭐ Deprive in dogs. Views. Symptoms Treatment.

It would seem that such an unpleasant and “unhygienic” disease like lichen is characteristic only of stray animals, but well-groomed domestic dogs are also not immune from infection.

Unfortunately, we cannot protect our beloved pet from everything in the world, and even more so – from contacts with stray dogs and cats, and in fact they are the main “sources” of dermatophytosis, i.e. depriving – about the treatment in dogs of which we will talk.

Lichen – a skin disease of a fungal or allergic kind, caused mainly by the development of pathogenic fungi in the tissues of the upper layer of the skin. Most of these fungi are very resistant to temperature extremes, and their spores remain viable for tens of years, which is why lichen is a very common ailment among animals. It can also be infected by a person, even a very clean and attentive person to their own health.

Types of lichen in dogs

Many people have probably heard such terms as “pink” lichen, “shingles” and “pityriasis”.All of these diseases have nothing to do with dogs (as well as cats). Pityriasis versicolor is called skin growths, accompanied by itching and caused by parasites or bacteria of various types – they can be evidence of frequent and other skin diseases, but not depriving them. And shingles and lichen rosacea causes the herpes virus, to which the dog is immune in principle – these are exclusively “human” diseases.

There are actually two types of lichen in dogs in veterinary medicine:

• weeping, also called eczema;
• clipper – which our four-legged friends encounter most often.

Each of them has its own symptoms and principles of treatment of lichen in dogs – we will consider them in more detail.

Moist lichen

Does not apply to infectious diseases, because develops against the background of allergies. The course of the disease can be called rapid – the lesions spread quickly and pass just as quickly if the necessary measures are taken in time. It is only important to notice the symptoms of lichen in a dog in time.

Symptoms

• swelling of the skin;
• moist skin ulcers that vary in color between pale pink and bluish;
• burning and unbearable itching in the affected areas, which will be indicated by the dog nervously combing the wounds.

In the absence of timely and competent treatment, the disease affects large areas of the body and takes on a chronic form, in which ulcers disappear for a while, but regularly reappear.

Treatment

• Nutritional adjustment, namely the temporary elimination of fatty foods, potatoes and meat from the diet.
• Ingestion of drugs such as “Sulfur-3” or “Mercurius”.
• Treatment of eczema and skin around them with creoline soap and removal of crusts and scabs from the affected areas.
• Application of healing and drying ointments to wounds.
• Delivery of allergic tests to identify the cause of allergies.

Only a veterinarian should deal with the selection of specific drugs, because There are a lot of them, but they all have contraindications and features in use. In addition, a one-time treatment is often not enough – eczema will recur again and again until you “figure out” the allergen causing it.

Ringworm

The culprit is a fungus that causes hair loss, redness and scabbing of the skin, accompanied by itching.Despite the general belief that a person always gets ringworm from dogs – this is extremely rare. The reason is that dermatophytosis is caused by fungi of various kinds: some of them affect only humans, others only affect dogs, and only still others (the rarest) affect both of them equally.

To determine the causative agent of ringworm, a dog is tested for flora. Its result will make it clear what the four-legged friend is sick with – microsporia or trichophytosis.These fungi are very different from each other and are sensitive to different drugs. Identification of the pathogen shows how to treat ringworm in dogs.

Symptoms

The first signs of the disease usually go unnoticed by the pet owner, because appear in a subtle rash on the skin of the animal. After significant growth, it catches the eye, and the first symptoms of ringworm in the dog become noticeable:

• Small grayish bald patches accompanied by scaling (usually on the face, ears and tail).
• Crust on the affected areas, gradually acquiring a bright red color. This stage of the course of the disease is very critical in terms of treatment – if you skip it, the duration of therapy increases significantly, and the chances of a complete cure are in direct proportion to decrease.
• Further, pus begins to seep from under the dense crust.
• Against the background of these changes, the dog becomes lethargic, loses interest in games, constantly itches and sleeps a lot.

Ringworm is dangerous in that it leaves behind a receding hairline, the hair follicles on which can completely stop their life cycle and never resume it.Those. the dog will remain with bald patches for life, in addition, the affected areas of the skin will become boiling white and very noticeable. How to treat ringworm in a dog to avoid such manifestations?

Treatment

• First you need to isolate the dog, throw away its bedding and things with which it came into contact. Wash something several times, it is better to get rid of something right away – here it depends only on the owner.
• Cut off the wool around the wound site at a distance of 1.5-2 cm.
• Treat lichen with an antifungal composition, which is selected individually, depending on the neglect of the disease.
• Provide antibiotic therapy to prevent further spread of lichen.

In the future, veterinarians recommend vaccinating the animal in order to avoid re-infection. Do not forget that even the healthiest and most well-groomed pet can catch an unpleasant disease, so visit your veterinarian regularly to help him in time.

Why do dogs shed | Hill’s

Many dogs shed, and therefore you think that if you take a puppy into the house, permanent hair in the house will become the norm for you. This is far from the truth! Don’t be afraid to take your dog into your family if your only concern is that it will shed. There are many non-shedding (low-shedding) dogs that you can adopt and guidelines you can use if your pet sheds too much in your home.

Why do dogs shed?

To understand why shedding occurs, it is important to understand the importance of hair to a dog.First, the most important function of the coat is to protect your pet’s skin, its most important organ, from factors such as sun, heat, cold and much more. The coat also maintains the animal’s normal body temperature. Some shedding dogs have a thick undercoat to keep your pet warm and cool – just as insulation keeps your home warm and cool all year round.

Like human hair, a dog’s coat is constantly growing. When wool stops growing at the end of its natural life cycle, it breaks.Hair loss can vary by breed, time of year and health conditions. Some dogs shed more than others. Have you ever noticed hair on your pillow or bathroom? While your dog’s fur may not get into your shower, it will be everywhere from your carpet to your clothes if you don’t take the necessary steps.

Also, it is a common misconception that shedding depends on the length of your dog’s coat. This is not true.Shedding depends on the breed rather than the length of the coat. While clipping a long-haired dog will ultimately reduce the amount of shedding, this does not mean that shedding will stop – only the amount of shedding that needs to be removed will decrease.

Changes in the amount of hair shedding

It is important to know what is causing your furry friend to shed — notice any changes in the shedding coat. As soon as you bring your puppy home, pay attention to how much fur he is losing.Do you notice a few hairs here and there, or do you find that every time you sit down, your clothes are covered with a lot of wool? Once you know what is normal for your pet, you can better identify changes in hair loss. A simple indicator to notice is the thinning of your dog’s coat resulting from excessive chewing or scratching due to skin diseases or parasites.

The change of season has a great influence on molt.Dogs usually shed once or twice a year, but that doesn’t mean you won’t notice fur in the house all year round, as hair breaks when its life cycle ends. The main seasonal changes occur when the dog sheds most of its coat, and this is common in undercoated breeds such as the Siberian Laika.

Stress is another contributor to hair loss. An anxious dog can lose more hair than a careless dog.Identify sources of stress in your pet’s environment, eliminate them, and see if shedding has diminished. Shedding is a serious problem when it is accompanied by other symptoms such as skin lesions or itching.

There are many health reasons why your dog’s shedding cycle may change. According to PetMD, “infestation with parasites such as fleas, lice or ticks can cause large amounts of hair loss. Ringworm, dermatitis and certain types of fungal infections, immune diseases and cancer can also cause hair loss.Hormonal changes and allergies are another cause of shedding. Certain foods, medications, household cleaners and care products can cause allergic reactions in dogs.

Contact your veterinarian immediately as soon as you notice a significant change in shedding.

Slow down the shedding process

Shedding is important for dogs as it promotes healthy new coat growth. However, if your dog leaves most of its hair on your belongings, steps should be taken to reduce the amount of hair shedding.Grooming your dog will help remove hair before it reaches every corner of your home. You can brush off excess hair with a brush. It is beneficial for the coat, undercoat and skin. Also, like cats, many dogs enjoy being brushed. Caring for your dog also helps you bond with it. Brush your dog daily if possible. If this is not possible, do it several times a week. There are also products that can help remove excess hair so you don’t have to vacuum every hour.

Also, make an appointment with a professional pet hairdresser. Of course, bathing at home is good, but your dog can get skin problems if you don’t rinse or dry it well enough. Professional pet groomers are experienced with dogs of all sizes and have the appropriate tools and cleaning supplies. Some shampoos are good for your dog’s skin and coat – they can improve the condition of your dog’s coat and reduce shedding.

Food plays an important role

Nutrition is another important factor in your dog’s overall health and skin and coat. Eating a balanced diet can help maintain the gloss and health of the coat and, as a result, reduce the amount of hair shedding.

How to keep your house clean

Stop thinking about inviting friends to watch a match or a holiday party – do it!

There are many ways to clean dog hair from your home.To protect couches, chairs, and beds, use blankets to catch loose wool. The main tool for cleaning wool is a vacuum cleaner, with which you can clean wooden surfaces, tiles and carpets. Use any brush head to clean your pillows or any dust and hair areas in your home. A regular broom can be used to remove unwanted hair from wood or tile floors. Use a damp paper towel to pick up any loose hair. Use sticky rollers to clean clothes and curtains.In addition, effective home air filters can help remove airborne hairs. All of these tools will not only help you keep your home clean, but will also benefit any dog ​​allergic person who comes to visit you.

The 10 most common dog breeds that shed heavily

90,000 How to treat lichen in a dog?

Lichen is the general name for a group of skin diseases caused by bacteria or fungi, provoking irritation, redness, damage, flaking of the skin, rash, hair loss.

Causes of the disease

Some of the pathogenic bacteria and fungi that cause lichen live on a dog’s body all the time. If the animal has strong immunity, microorganisms inhibit the development of each other without harming the pet’s health. After stress, hypothermia, due to improper diet, poor living conditions, the immune system weakens. A group of bacteria or fungi begins to multiply intensively, feed on skin and hair. Dog lichen develops.Pathogenic microorganisms become more active. Once on the body of another animal, they continue to rapidly increase their numbers, causing the development of the disease. The transmission of a skin disease occurs upon contact between a healthy and a sick animal (visible signs of lichen may not yet appear outwardly), through household items, when a healthy dog ​​comes into contact with a wall, tree, grass, which has recently been touched by a sick animal. Once on such surfaces, bacteria and fungi quickly die in sunny, hot or frosty weather.But they can remain active for several days in a damp, cool, unventilated place.

Symptoms

There are several types of lichen caused by different microorganisms. If the fungi Trichophyton or Microsporum are activated on the animal’s body, hairless areas appear on the paws, on the nose, behind the ears, the area of ​​which does not exceed a few square millimeters. Bald patches can only be noticed with a close examination of the animal. Due to the vital activity of fungi, the dog is itchy.If your dog itches a lot in one place, examine it. If you notice even pinpoint hair loss, contact your veterinarian.

If the coat on the face, back, and paws looks like it has been trimmed, it could be ringworm. The veterinarian must confirm or deny the diagnosis.

Itching is also the first symptom of malasseziosis. With a progressive disease, the skin becomes inflamed, small acne appears.

Another variation of lichen appears as small pink spots.They can go away without treatment, but if at the same time another type of pathogenic microorganisms is activated, the disease is likely to develop into severe forms. It is better to get veterinary help immediately at the first symptoms.

Diagnostics

Even an experienced veterinarian, after a visual examination, will not be able to diagnose lichen, much less determine its type.

For an accurate diagnosis, laboratory tests are needed:

• Microscopy of hairs – allows you to see fungal spores and exclude hair loss, skin damage due to allergic reactions, eczema.
• Wood lamp transillumination – will demonstrate the affected areas of the body.
• Urine and blood tests – will show the general condition of the body.
• Sowing on a nutrient medium – to accurately determine the type of pathogenic microorganisms.

Knowing the exact type of microorganisms causing the disease, the veterinarian will tell you how to cure lichen in a dog quickly and without complications. Giving an appointment, how to treat a dog for lichen, he takes into account its age, weight, health, breed characteristics.

Maintenance and Nutrition

Treatment of depriving a dog at home is effective and safe if you restrict its movement around the apartment, in the house or yard, exclude contact with other animals. The owner should wear rubber gloves when caring for the pet, treating affected areas of the body, cleaning, replacing or cleaning the mat.

Do not keep the animal in a damp place, disinfect or change the bedding regularly. Wash floors with chlorinated products.

Take care of the coat, do not allow tangles to appear, treat fleas in a timely manner, give antihelminthic drugs.

Be aware that if you notice lichen on your dog, treatment must include a balanced diet. The development of the disease usually indicates an unbalanced diet. It is better to give up natural food and transfer the animal to special food, which will be advised by a veterinarian. After recovery, it is recommended to feed your pet with premium or super premium food.

Treatment with drugs

There are drugs for external and internal use.

For external use use:

• ointments – Yam BK, Mikozon, Lekaderm, Nystatin;
• solutions and sprays – Imaverol, Fungin Forte, Zoomikol, Thermikon-srey;
• shampoos – Nizoral-shampoo, Cytoderm.

In the online store “MagiZoo” drugs for the treatment of an unpleasant disease are presented.Before purchasing, you can see the composition, indications and contraindications, the method of application of each:

Injections and tablets for lichen for dogs (Griseofulvin, Itrazol, Fluconazole, Dermicotsid) are prescribed with low efficacy of external agents or large lesions. Oral medications have undesirable side effects and are decided by your veterinarian. These drugs belong to the class of antibiotics. To reduce the negative effects of admission, hepatoprotectors, immunomodulators, and fortifying drugs are additionally prescribed.

Treatment with external agents

How to treat a dog for lichen if it scratches the affected area or tries to lick off the applied ointment? This behavior can complicate the course of the disease.

If small areas are affected, apply ointment on them, cover with adhesive tape. If your dog rips off the patch, or needs to treat large areas of the body, wear an Elizabethan collar on the animal (you can do it yourself or buy it at a veterinary store).Ointments from lichen in dogs are absorbed, providing a therapeutic effect, within 30-40 minutes, so after half an hour or an hour the protective collar can be removed.

If your dog is brushing the affected areas of the body, put it in overalls. In cool weather, be sure to wear dog equipment for a walk to prevent hypothermia, protect the coat from dampness, and reduce the spread of spores of pathogenic fungi.

Power

When deciding how to cure lichen in a dog, you must first correct mistakes in feeding and keeping a pet.For a quick recovery, it is better to transfer the animal to medical nutrition. The most famous food for animals with skin problems are Purina DRM, Eukanuba Dermatosis, Hills d / d.

If you do not want to give up natural food, create a diet that is close to the composition of these foods. They contain animals (proteins, fats obtained from meat, salmon, offal, eggs, dairy products) and vegetable components (rice, beet pulp, corn oil). Be sure to include in the diet a complex of vitamins and minerals, dietary supplements (methionine, prebiotics, taurine, antioxidants).

Eliminate harmful delicacies from the diet: sweets, cakes, pastries, chocolate, sausage, fried meat.

Can a person get infected from a dog?

Some types of lichen diagnosed in dogs can be transmitted to humans.