Is ringworm in cats the same fungus that people get under their toenails and nails?

Question

I have a cat that is 14 years old. He never goes out, gets baths regularly, and is secluded upstairs with practically no contact except me and one other cat, that also doesn't go out, gets baths, and I am very clean, I do not allow people to come upstairs unless they take their shoes off, downstairs first. I really have very little company at all. The cats are practically alone with me. I know I do not have ringworm anywhere on my body. He was diagnosed 2 weeks age with ringworm, I am shocked and upset. How did this happen? I have thought over and over. No clue, except one. In my basement is a tanning bed, and my sister lays in it about twice a week. She has had toenail fungus for about a year now, and has took Lamisil, continuously, but still has it. Occasionally after she gets out of the bed, she comes upstairs, barefooted. Could this have given my cat ring worm? She would be furious if I accused her , she thinks it cant be caught from her. Does anyone know if that would be possible?

Answer 1

Ringworm is a fungus, yes, and in the same family as athletes foot and nail fungus, but I don't think ringworm IS that--so he couldn't have gotten it from humans feet.

Ours came down with a spot of ringworm last summer, we had NO clue where from either. He gave me one spot when he leaned up against my bare leg, so we were both being treated. HIS cleared up in a month. Mine took 2 months.

You can get the expensive 2% cream from the vets, or you can get the generic Miconozole 4% from the pharmacy or Walgreens. It's the same ingredient. If you want a brand name, use Monistat 3, that's a 4% solution too.

Rub the cream on the spot, especially the edges. DO NOT brush the area or bathe it or rub it more than you need to, the fungus spreads further out this way.

I put the cream on our cat twice a day, talking to him all the while so he'd put up with it. he never tried to lick it off. If the cream built up too much, I'd use a wet rag (disposeable) and rubbed it carefully towards the center, then added more cream. For me, I would put a dab on my leg and just covered it with a bandage.

His fur grew back in a short time, my spot took longer to get rid of (who knows why...) but we were ringworm free by fall.

Don't accuse your sister, it's not the fungus on the feet that makes ringworm.

Answer 2

Ringworm is not a worm. That is a fact. It is a fungus that grows into what looks like a red ring on the skin. Where it got the nail most likely stems from a historical misunderstanding of what the infection was.

It is easy to get rid of ringworm on a cat. Get Lotrimin from your nearest pharmcy (used for athletes foot and the like) and put it on the ringworm spot once a day until the hair starts to grow back in that spot. Wash your hands everytime you handle your cat.

It would surprise me if he got the ringworm from your sister's toenail. I mean, I suppose it would't be impossible. But maybe he is just more susceptible as an older cat. I suppose that there may have been spores that got into your house somehow and then he contracted it. Probably his immune system isn't what it once was.

I wouldn't say anything to the sister if it were me. But after one year of a toenail fungus she should probably get it taken care of.

Answer 3

Nice advice, prior poster! Ringworm is NOT a worm - it's a fungus. And yes - it's what's referred to as a "zoonotic" disease meaning that pets can pass it to you and you to pets. So yes - it is possible that that is how your cat got it. The other way could have been if you touched a cat or kitten that had it. Always be sure to wash your hands thoroughly when touching other pets before touching your own.

Answer 4

NO NO NO NO NO!!!
Ringworm is an actual worm that lives under your skin...they call it ringworm because of its ring shape bump it causes on your skin (you can see it under there...actually looks like a worm) As far as the fungus on your sisters toes...that's a fungus...an infection that usually comes from within...her best bet is to cut her toe nail off as short as possible, keep it clean and dry (completely dry it after showers etc and before putting shoes back on) She's going to have to get a med form the doc too...there's a new pill out that should work in about a month...Good luck to the 3 of ya!!




UPDATE!!!!
I may be wrong here...I looked up another site...looks like it may be the same...check this out
http://www.fabcats.org/owners/infosheets/disease/skin/ringworm.html

I will be the first on here to admit that I might be wrong! lol...but there is still the possibility that it could be theh type I described above...I'm gonna go hide now...lol

Answer 5

No, it could be that your cat takes bathes regularly, and she either hides under covers or something. These fungi thrive best on skin that is moist, hot, and hidden from the light. If your cat has it and you dry her off with towels, then its best to stop using those towels, and throw them away, in order to prevent the fungi from spreading to you. If your treating your cat, its best to wear slippers or sandals in showers, and public bathing areas, especially during the treatment. Sometimes, the ringworm will heal on its own, sometimes you have to put ointment on it. But take your pet to the vet if it has patches of missing hair, which could be a sign of a fungal infection. Either way, its not a good idea to wash your cat all the time. They can wash themselves, thats basically what their suppossed to do. Just keep the places where your cat sleeps and bathes, clean, and make sure that after you touch him, that you wash your skin completely. Its not your sisters fault. It just happened to catch on to your cat, since we are always surrounded by germs and fungi. Some that you cant see. Anyway, just becareful around your cat from now on.

Answer 6

Yea it's the same thing. Use an antifungal spray/cream to get rid of it. It's not a big deal - many, many cats get it. Mine got it and I have absolutely no clue how it happend.

Answer 7

Yes.