For Humans: There are new and improved (soon to be) over the counter
treatments for ringworm/athlete's foot/jock itch that are very safe and
effective with a short duration of treatment (depending on the causative
organism).  Check with your doctor or pharmacist.
 
Ringworm in ferrets should be able to be treated with a topical agent.  My
cat used to lick the spray off his foot, and this caused a longer treatment
period.  Make sure that the ferret is not cleaning the spray/cream off.
Ringworm is a fungal infection most likely caused microsporon canis in pets
(but has other causes in humans).  M.  canis is more difficult to treat
than other causative organisms.  It can be passed from the ferret (dog or
cat) to humans, but does not usually get passed from human to human like
other organisms that cause ringworm, such as trichophyton rubrum (which
does not usually cause ringworm in ferrets).
 
Cleaning the infection site before applying the medicine is a good idea,
however NEVER NEVER NEVER clean it with alcohol.  Ringworm usually causes a
bit of scaling/cracking of the skin, and applying alcohol could cause the
ferret a great deal of burning.
 
I don't have experience in the life of these organisms when they are off
the host, but 2 years sounds a bit excessive.
 
Ringworm can be treated orally.  Griseofulvin, as mentioned in a previous
post, can clear it up.  However, in my experience, it is not necessary.
 
Tony
[Posted in FML issue 2641]