Is Black Crust on Cat's Nose a Sign of Ringworm?

Don't Jump to Conclusions: Black Scabs on a Cat's Nose May Not Be Ringworm!

Many cat owners, upon spotting dandruff, scabs, or hair loss on their feline friends, often jump to the conclusion that it's ringworm. However, black scabs on a cat's nose can be caused by a variety of factors, and it's crucial not to selfdiagnose and immediately administer antifungal treatments without proper veterinary assessment. Doing so could lead to unintended side effects!

What Could Be Causing Those Black Scabs?

It's important to note that black scabs on a cat's nose can result from several different issues, including:

• Bacterial or fungal infections

• Allergic reactions

• Parasitic infestations (such as mange mites, ear mites, and demodex mites)

• Trauma or friction

How to Determine If It's Ringworm?

1. What is Ringworm?

Ringworm is a skin disease caused by fungal infection, with 80% being caused by Microsporum canis. This fungus can infect not only cats but also other animals and even humans.

Cats with ringworm often have weakened immune systems, and other triggers may include damp environments, skin injuries, parasitic infections, frequent bathing, and prolonged stress.

2. Symptoms of Ringworm

Cats with ringworm typically exhibit circular or irregular patches of hair loss, with redness, dandruff, black scabs, or inflammatory discharge on the affected skin. Some cases may also be itchy, leading the cat to scratch, lick, or rub the area frequently.

3. How to Diagnose?

• The metabolic products of some Microsporum canis can produce a green fluorescence under the light of a Wood's lamp. Therefore, pet owners can prepare a Wood's lamp at home to check for ringworm if they suspect their cat is infected.

• Since the Wood's lamp cannot diagnose all types of fungi, for a more accurate result, it's necessary to visit a veterinary clinic for a skin scrape microscopic examination or fungal culture.

How to Handle Black Scabs on a Cat's Nose?

▲ First and foremost, diagnose the issue!

Before considering any treatment, it's essential to confirm the diagnosis to avoid inappropriate medication that could worsen the condition.

Ps: Ringworm treatments can be somewhat irritating, so it's not advisable to use them without a proper diagnosis.

✔ Treatment Options

→ If ringworm is confirmed, you can trim the fur around the affected area, apply iodine solution for disinfection, and then use medicated ointments that are safe for cats to ingest. For cats over 3 months old, oral itraconazole can be administered once a week, alternating with a week off, and combined with liverprotecting medication to minimize liver damage. Remember to fit your cat with an Elizabethan collar to prevent scratching and further skin damage, infection, or fungal spread.

Lastly, administering Supervet (a multivitamin B solution) can help boost the skin's immune system and aid in skin repair.

→ If the scabs are due to a bacterial infection, apply iodine solution followed by an application of Phthalocyanine (zinc oxide ointment) twice to three times a day. Typically, this will clear up in about 10 days.

→ If the scabs are caused by parasitic infestations, it's important to use deworming medications containing ivermectin or selamectin and pair them with antibiotic ointments to prevent infection.

For scabs resulting from trauma, simply maintaining clean skin and avoiding water exposure is usually sufficient, without the need for additional medication.