Message:
Subject: Re: Ringworm!!!Help!
Posted by Anno on January 29, 1999 at 09:56:33:
In Reply to: Ringworm!!!Help! posted by Kit on January 29, 1999 at 09:22:18:
I was curious if the ringworm has been diagnosed by your physician? (There is a special light that when shined upon ringworm will give off an unusual glow and it is a definitive test....can't quite remember the name of it...a wood light, maybe?) I, too, think it's unusual to have it on your legs. It usually appears on the upper body, arms, neck, scalp. There are many different fungal infections of the skin, and getting one certainly does NOT mean you are unclean! (It just makes you feel that way!) Are the areas just scaley and patchy, or do they have that defined crusty ring typical of ringworm? How is the condition being treated? Anti-fungals and/or hydocortisone?
The only instance I have heard of ringworm being caused by an animal is from VERY MANGEY cats....ones that quite obviously are carrying the fungus in huge quantity! Once you get a fungal infection of the skin, ringworm or other, it is very difficult to get rid of. If treated with antifungal creams or pills, you must keep up treatment long after it appears to be "cured" to insure it is gone. Fungi do produce spores that are resistant to therapy, so even if the skin appears clear, the spores could still be lurking around.
Eczema conditions have been known to be mistaken for ringworm (my hubby once had this on his leg and I would have sworn it was fungal in nature!) but persistant treatment with presciption strength hydrocortisone cream took care of it and it hasn't reappeared since. Make sure you stay in contact with your physician about this and treat the diagnosis aggressively and long term. I would not guess it is caused by the gliders, especially if there has been such minimal contact by them with your legs, and if the gliders appear healthy with no skin ailment of their own.