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My cat has ringworm. Is ethanol safe to use? What treatments work?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Persian | Female | unspayed | 7 months and 10 days old | 5 lbs

My kitty looks like get ringworm on her shoulders, it has been 2 days since I noticed something wrong on her back, and I found a rounded hairless area on her shourders. She keeps stratching often. Today I tried to bath her by using sulfur base soap and I'm still waiting for the effect, whether it's working or not. It cross on my mind to use ethanol, could I apply ethanol 70 % for her ringworm treatment? Is it effective? If not what kind of treatment that I can apply for her? Thank you

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on February 9th, 2018

Sorry to hear that you are having this issue.

Ringworm can be very difficult to erradicate. Using the sulfur based shampoo is fine but you will not see an immediate effect. It takes weeks and sometimes months to get rid of ringworm.

Do not use ethanol. I have never heard of using that and it would likely burn her skin.

I would try using an anti-fungal cream/lotion like one of these:

https://www.amazon.in/Home-Health-Antifungal-Lotion-Ounce/dp/B00015R0XO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1518179924&sr=8-2&keywords=antifungal+cream+for+jock+itch

https://www.amazon.in/Terbinafine-Hydrochloride-1-Cream-0-5/dp/B00519NTM6/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1518179924&sr=8-5&keywords=antifungal+cream+for+jock+itch

Apply this two to three times per day until healed.

Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after touching the cat because ringworm is contagious to people.

If the topical medication does not work then you will need to seek the help of a vet to get an oral medication.

Hope this helps. Best wishes.

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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