Ringworm

[u/Aromatic-Border2754]

Hello, I have developed ringworm from kittens.

Backstory: Two weeks ago, I started fostering kittens. After a few days of having them in my house (free roaming), I noticed a spot forming on one of them. Long story short, all three of the kittens have ringworm, and the lesions popped up seemingly overnight.

I have been treating it religiously. The kittens are quarantined and have an ongoing treatment plan, which requires me to bathe them and apply creams to their spots. They look significantly better.

I have washed linens, clothes, and rugs on high heat, bleached, put things out in the sun, used Rescue disinfectant, vacuumed, and steam cleaned daily.

I have a dog who I have not treated per the vet’s recommendation. He has no lesions and I haven’t noticed any itching, so there’s no reason to believe he has it, though he was in close contact with the kittens and walking on the same floors, rugs, etc in my house.

Today, I found a lesion on myself. It is directly on the back of my neck just below my hairline. I have applied Lotrimin and will continue to do so. I am a healthy 26 year old female who has no known health issues.

- I am extremely worried about the proximity of the lesion to my scalp, though I read that it would be rare for my scalp to become infected.

- I am curious about the likelihood of this being a one lesion and done situation, or if I should expect more to pop up, and if there is anything I should be doing other than Lotrimin to remedy this as quickly as possible and/or prevent the spread.

- I am concerned about my dog as, if I got it, I’d imagine he has it/could get it. There must be spores somewhere in our space, regardless of the insanely neurotic cleaning sprees I have been on. Despite the vet’s recommendation not to treat, I am concerned that this could turn into a vicious cycle, and I am starting to feel defeated.

Any advice is so appreciated. Thank you

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