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Ringworm

Stayc1989

Stayc1989

Teenage Guinea Pig
Joined
Nov 13, 2015
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Hello, need some advice about ringworm, I've just got back from the doctors and somehow I've caught ringworm from somewhere and I'm paranoid about the guinea pigs catching it. Obviously I still need to clean them out and stuff and I've been handling them all. I can't keep them outside or away from me so not sure what's the best way of dealing with it, the ringworm is only on my legs but I know the spores can spread easily. Nobody else is showing signs of having it yet and neither are the guinea pigs or my dog. How long does ringworm spores live? Any advice is much appreciated as my mind is in overdrive with worry at the min.
 
Stayc1989 said:
Hello, need some advice about ringworm, I've just got back from the doctors and somehow I've caught ringworm from somewhere and I'm paranoid about the guinea pigs catching it. Obviously I still need to clean them out and stuff and I've been handling them all. I can't keep them outside or away from me so not sure what's the best way of dealing with it, the ringworm is only on my legs but I know the spores can spread easily. Nobody else is showing signs of having it yet and neither are the guinea pigs or my dog. How long does ringworm spores live? Any advice is much appreciated as my mind is in overdrive with worry at the min.
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Please take a deep breath and calm down! When I caught ringworm from my piggies, I used nizoral shampoo on my whole body to prevent carrying any spores around and to keep the ringworm on my neck from spreading, especially with my hair whipping around the area. Make sure that you wash your bedding and any clothes every frequently and at a higher temperature (60 C). I did so every second day until the ringworm was gone - if you can get away with it, wear old clothes during that time. The acute outbreak should hopefully be over in a week. If not, you may need an antibiotic.

Use common sense, disposable gloves and antifungal hand gel when dealing with your piggies. Don't handle them if possible or at least keep any handling to a minimum during that time. Use a good antifungal disinfectant and wash the piggy bedding also at 60 C for the time being, just to be on the safe side. With these precautions it should not be a problem; it wasn't for me and my then 16 piggies - they didn't catch it back off me. ;)

You may find some of the tips and products recommended in this guide here helpful: Ringworm: Hygiene And Pictures
 
Thank you, I'll go and fetch the nizoral now. I've been doing washing and hoovering all day, I've been so worried about spores being in the house. Thank you for your advice, I will definitely use the gloves and apron to clean the piggies out hopefully it will clear up soon :)
 
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