Is This Ringworm Or A Blister Or Something Else?

[Baron&Cloud16]

I just adopted my Guinea Pig, Cloud, last week from a pet store. The first day I noticed a scaly, dry spot behind her ear where no hair was growing. The spot is not in a circular shape, and has no particular shape. I have experienced ringworm before with my other piggy, and his spot was red, scaly, and shaped like a circle. I know that most pigs from pet stores came from very bad conditions where Guinea Pigs are tightly packed together in small cages with tons of other animals, so I'm thinking maybe she obtained it from something that happened while she was there if she was ever in one of those places? The spot is black, but I'm not sure if ringworm is whatever color the pig is because she's a black Guinea Pig, or if ringworm is strictly red. So, can someone please tell me if this area of dry, scaly skin is ringworm, mites, an injury she may've gotten before she was in the pet store, or simply nothing to worry about? Look at the picture too.

 

[Cookies&Glitter]

Looks fungal to me I would wash your hands and go to vet ASAP

 

[TAN]

Looks like fungal to me too - but you really do need to see a vet to make sure as mites can often look similar and you must get the correct diagnosis and treatment or you could make things much worse - whatever you do don't try and self treat with over the counter remedies.

 

[Wiebke]

It looks like fungal to me - it may be ringwoem (which is not necessarily ring-shaped nor does the ring show up against dark skin) or another form of fungal. For hygiene reasons, please treat it as that for the time being.
Please see a vet for confirmation if possible. If your guinea pig is a recent purchase, you should be able to reclaim any vet cost from them. We can only give you avenues to pursue, but we cannot diagnose online.

Ringworm: Hygiene And Pictures

 

[Baron&Cloud16]

Ok thanks, but am I still able to hold her, and I'll be fine as long as I wash my hands? Or should I not hold her at all? And if I can't hold her, could an alternative like wearing gloves make holding her allowed, because I really don't want her to feel lonely or sad as she lives alone. Also, if it is a fungal infection, could I potentially get a fungal infection too from her?

It looks like fungal to me - it may be ringwoem (which is not necessarily ring-shaped nor does the ring show up against dark skin) or another form of fungal. For hygiene reasons, please treat it as that for the time being.
Please see a vet for confirmation if possible. If your guinea pig is a recent purchase, you should be able to reclaim any vet cost from them. We can only give you avenues to pursue, but we cannot diagnose online.

Ringworm: Hygiene And Pictures

 

[Cookies&Glitter]

Yes fungal infections such as ringworm are contagious to virtually all mammals including us. If you have no other pets I would just soap wash your hand well but if you are concerned about transfer to other pets gloves wouldn't hurt. This is what this forum has for fungal infections but certainly go to the vet for confirmation and proper treatment. Until you know for sure I would treat it like it is ringworm and take proper precautions .

Ringworm: Hygiene And Pictures

 

[Wiebke]

Ok thanks, but am I still able to hold her, and I'll be fine as long as I wash my hands? Or should I not hold her at all? And if I can't hold her, could an alternative like wearing gloves make holding her allowed, because I really don't want her to feel lonely or sad as she lives alone. Also, if it is a fungal infection, could I potentially get a fungal infection too from her?

Please read our ringworm guide link carefully; it is well worth it! It has lots of tips on what to do when suspect or treat against ringworm to prevent infection and transmission. I would strongly recommend to use one way gloves for the time being and to get hold of a disinfectant and hand gel that actually kills ringworm spores. The information on that is in the link we have given you.