Tinea capitis requires
treatment with an oral antifungal agent. Griseofulvin is probably the most
effective agent for infection with Microsporum canis, but is no
longer available in New Zealand. Scalp trichophyton infection may successfully
be eradicated using oral terbinafine, itraconazole or fluconazole for 4 to 6
weeks. However, these medications are not always successful and it may be
necessary to try another agent. Intermitted may also be prescribed e.g once
weekly dosages. Treatment of carriers is necessary to prevent spread of
infection. Antifungal shampoo twice
weekly
for four weeks may be sufficient. Suitable shamppos include
-
2.5% selenium sulfide
-
1% to 2% zinc phyrithione
-
povidone – iodine
-
2% ketoconazole Hirschmann JV (2009).
Steps involve in treating Ringworm Infection
includes:
Step 1: Identification of exposed Animals
Ringworm
is a contagious skin disease spread through direct contact with an infected
animal or indirect contact from spores that fall into the environment. If you
have no other pets in the home or if your pet has not contacted other animals.
Using
a new toothbrush, comb the hair coat of the pet. Be sure to brush the face,
inside and near the ears,between the toes, and tail. Don’t skip any part. Put
the toothbrush in a self sealing plastic bag and label the outside. Repeat for
all pets in the home. Put all bags in another plastic bag and bring to the
veterinary clinic.
Step 2: Treating and Monitoring
Ringworm
The
following are the key treatment decisions that need to be made to successfully
treat an infected pet.
a. Using
oral antifungal drugs to kill or inhibit the growth of the ringworm infection
inside the air follicle. These are several different drugs available for use.
The most commonly used drugs include itraconazole, terbinafine, fluconazole and
griseofulvin. Lufenuron has been found to be ineffective in the treatment
and/or prevention of ringworm.
b. Using
a clip on the hair coat mechanically. Clipping the hair coat removes infected
hairs and spores. Clipping will help minimize contamination of the environment.
c. Using
a topical theraphy. Topical theraphy involves the use of ointments, creams and
lotions is not recommended. Bathing pets instead of or prior to the use of an
antifungal rinse is not recommended. Bathing may cause fragile hairs to break
and spill spores on the hair coat, increase exposure of the pet owner to the
infected lesions, or make healthy hairs more susceptible to infection because
bathing softens the protective cuticle.
STEP 3: Managing environmental conditions:
Just
as in flea infestations where eggs and fleas are shed into the environment,
pets with ringworm infections will shed infective spores are small dust-seized
particles. The following will minimize spread of potentially infective spores.
Ø Removal
of infected hairs by clipping
Ø Use
of lime sulfer as a topical antifungal rinse. It is quickly sporocidal .
Ø Confinement
of the infected pet to one easily cleaned room and keep closets closed. Discard
contaminated toys and wash bedding daily.
Ø Routine
cleaning of home daily and use of the triple cleaning technique.