How long after treating ringworm is it not contagious

These animals should be treated. Any websites, brand names, products, or manufacturers are mentioned for informational and identification purposes only and do not imply an endorsement by the American Academy of Pediatrics AAP. The AAP is not responsible for the content of external resources. Information was current at the time of publication. The information contained in this publication should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician.

There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances. A fungal infection of the skin of the body, feet, or scalp. What are the signs or symptoms? Skin of the body or feet Red, circular patches with raised edges and central clearing Cracking and peeling of skin between toes Scalp Patchy areas of dandruff-like scaling with or without hair loss Redness and scaling of scalp with broken hairs or patches of hair loss.

What are the incubation and contagious periods? Incubation period: 1 to 3 weeks but can be shorter. How is it spread? How do you control it? If you suspect your pet has ringworm, take the animal to your vet. Dogs, cats, and other animals can pass ringworm to humans.

Just as there are effective treatments for people, there are effective ringworm treatments for pets. If treatment fails to clear the rash, tell your dermatologist.

Virtually every case of ringworm can be successfully treated. Keep all follow-up appointments with your dermatologist. Ringworm often clears with the first treatment a dermatologist prescribes.

Sometimes, ringworm can be stubborn or patients unknowingly do something that prevents the treatment from working. For these reasons, it best to keep follow-up appointments. Ringworm is very contagious.

You can, however, reduce your risk. Mosby Elsevier, Spain, Centers for Disease Control. Healthy Pets, Healthy People: Ringworm. Last accessed April 19, Keep the area clean and dry Using a different towel to dry off the area infected by ringworm can improve treatment results. 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. Sometimes, over-the-counter medications are not enough. If your ringworm infection persists after treatment, you should make an appointment with your doctor. Ringworm is not life threatening, just irritating.

Now that you know what to do about this highly contagious fungus, protect yourself and your two- and four-legged family members by taking the necessary precautions. For more information, talk to your veterinarian. Compare Breeds Compare up to 5 different breeds side by side.

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By Anna Burke Mar 28, 3 Minutes. Mar 28, 3 Minutes.