Ringworm. :(

[Leah]

A couple days ago I noticed a bald patch with some gross circular raw/bumpy spots on my cat's back leg, so I took him to the vet and it looks like it's ringworm. He gave me some medicine to rub on it every day and said to wash my hands after touching it and keep him from licking at it. Is there anything else I can do to speed up the healing and help keep it from spreading? We don't have any other pets, but we do have a 6-month-old baby and I'd rather none of us get it.

[Fran]

Ringworm is a fungus rather like athlete's foot. If you focus on the same precautions you'd use for people, that would be a good start for preventing the rest of the family from getting it - keep everyone's hands clean, wash kitty's bedding, vacuum and clean common areas, linens, shared furniture etc. Try and keep your cat away from the baby's room or furniture while your kitty heals up. The good news is that ringworm is annoying but not harmful, and is very treatable.

Fran