Understanding Ringworm (Dermatophytosis):
A Common Pet-Related Fungal Infection
As a pet lover, I have prepared some information about Ringworm (Dermatophytosis) for you today.
Dermatophytosis, also known as Tinea, is an infection where dermatophytes invade the keratinized layer of the skin, hair, nails, and toenails, causing shallow skin infections.
There are various types of dermatophytes (simply put, there are 42 known species of this fungus worldwide), among which Micropsorum canis, M.Canis, is commonly found in cats and dogs and often causes fungal infections in humans.
Ringworm symptoms can appear in various forms on the body.
On the neck, arms, and torso, it may appear as a distinct red ring, as shown in the picture above, which can grow larger over time.
While it typically appears as a single lesion, depending on the cause, it can appear in multiple locations. Particularly, M. canis infection, which is often transmitted from cats, appears in multiple locations, with each lesion being relatively small, about the size of a coin.
Ringworm can also cause hair loss when it appears on the scalp.
In addition, it can manifest as:
Tinea pedis or Tinea manuum, commonly known as athlete’s foot or hand fungus
Tinea unguium, a fungal infection of the nails
Treatment is possible with oral antifungal medications and topical antifungal creams. The treatment period can be longer than expected!
If you have a pet, you might have heard about ringworm. These days, besides dogs and cats, many different pets can carry ringworm, including rabbits, which have been increasingly reported to cause ringworm.
Various fungi can cause ringworm due to their zoonotic nature, leading to cross-infections between humans and animals.