hot water is the best mite killer around.

Wash her bed linens in hot water, & dry them in the dryer.

don't know about carpet;
someone else probably will.

You can suffocate ringworm, an aerobic fungus, with any thick ointment, & Tinactin, an anti-athlete's foot remedy, is good for the itching.

I used the aerosol type so I wouldn't have to touch the affected area.

don't know if it applies in your instance, but I had handled the kitten while I was driving, so I disinfected the steering wheel of the car also.

Hang in there, you'll win!

BUT, I'm trying to de-fungal the linens, not de-mite them.

Carla

Thank you Sylvia. I'm on prednisone right now for poison ivy and my nerves are a wreck, I feel like an overrun engine, lol. Steroids, poison ivy, ringworm, ear mites. I thought last year was bad. ha ha
The worst punishment is not being outside, sun and all that.

Carla

Some people are pre-disposed to getting ring worm to start with. If you are worried about your floors and carpet, get some spray with tea tree oil in it, this has a compound effective in killing the fungus. I would be a bit worried about staining so try it in an inconspicous place first. The trick is to figure out where the cat got it from, because it may reoccur if the area where the cat got it is not treated. The fungus likes moist locations, so if you can figure out where the cat likes to hang out and treat that area as well it would be best. I know there are a number of anti fungal sprays out there, check with your local carpet cleaning agent. Good luck

Mazer, first place of infection: SHELTER Need I say more? But thank you, I had forgotten about the tree tree oil washing liquid. I'm going to get some. People even use that on plant leaves for fungus.

Carla

"BUT, I'm trying to de-fungal the linens, not de-mite them."

sorry, can't think & type at the same time-
it's too much like multi-tasking!

I *think* hot water is probably the best defense against fungus, too, but maybe someone else has more expertise.

I'm just thinking-
how do people clean/wash/disinfect their kids' towels & gym suits?

You need an anti fungal to deal with the ringworm, not hot water.

Limit the handling of the kitten : ( Maybe play with fishing-pole type toys?

You deserve an internet hug!

(((((((((((((((((((((Carla)))))))))))))))))))))

At the shelter they use Chlorhexedrine (sp.?) to disinfect the cages (or Rocal). When I got RW, I sprayed my bedding with Chlorhex in between laundering (I just couldn't take the comforter to the laundromat every day and it doesn't fit in my washer). I washed my bath towels daily initially (white, so they got washed with detergent, bleach, and hot water), and then tapered back down. The bedding just got washed with normal detergent (ALL) and I don't recall the water temp. If I think I have or have been exposed to RW, I'll wash stuff using the pre-soak setting on my machine. Supposedly the soap degrades the fungus' outer layer or shell, and it cannot survive without that. Most of my clothes will never see a hot water wash if I want them to hold up nicely, so cold water and a pre-soak is my option.

I also tried to keep the RW spots covered w/a bandaid (after I'd used the topical meds) to prevent the affected area from touching my clothing, my surroundings, my husband, my own cats..... Neither DH nor my cats got it from me (and my one cat will often crawl under the covers and snuggle next to me during the night).

Eventually the fungus will die off on its own, even if you did nothing. I freaked out at first too, and internet research on the topic can certainly add to that. Just take normal precaustions, make sure your daughter uses the meds (OTC or RX) as directed, and do the same for kitty, and don't stop any of them too soon. Launder stuff a little more often for awhile ('til the meds cut down on the spores), wash your hands (and arms...) well after touching kitty 'til her affected areas clear up, and you should be fine.

Thank you Elly. It's been a rough week!
Cat Mom, thank you. Any idea where I would get Chlorhex?
I was thinking too, that tea tree oil is an antiseptic, not anti fungal. I hate not to cuddle the sweetie but I will back off a little. I need to put gloves on and search the whole body. The doc saw one kinda large area and one area on the ear. I will feel much better when this is all gone. I'm glad I can come here and get answers.

Carla

Not sure, maybe ask at your vet or a shelter or rescue group (if they have any to give you, you only need a small amount and you'd add it to a gal of water and then put some of that in a spray bottle). I've read some stuff that says it isn't effective against RW/fungus, but the shelter director had said it is, so who knows?

BTW tea tree oil is also used as an anti-fungal I believe.

(((hugs))) from me, too!

Cat Mom, thanks for the hug. I know a couple people who have used the tea tree oil soap on their rose leaves for fungus, but it's used as a surfactant there. Just not quite sure about the laundry.

Carla

Oh, I know nothing about using it in the wash, but my podiatrist had given me bottle of brush on stuff that contains tea tree oil to use on one of my nails becuase of its anit-fungal properties.

You're quite welcome for the hug! We've all been there. You've done a wonderful thing bringing this kitty home and I hope she and your family will enjoy a long and happy (and healthy!) life together!

I had ringworm once, and I used tea-tree oil on myself- it worked very quickly. I didn't do anything special with my laundry, just washed it normally. Everything cleared up fine. I hope your daughter and kitty clear up soon!

So sorry to hear about the ringworm.

In addition to doing laundry and handling your kitty differently, you might want to up the vitamins and minerals you, your family, and the kitten are getting.