🌧️ Vet Insight 2025: Managing Rain Scald and Ringworm in Horses for Healthy, Itch-Free Skin 🐴🧼

Author: Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc

Hair loss and skin lesions are common equine concerns—often mistaken for one another. Two of the most frequently confused skin conditions in horses are ringworm and rain scald. Despite their similar appearance, their causes and treatments are entirely different. In this 2025 guide, Dr Duncan Houston explains how to properly identify, diagnose, and treat each condition for the fastest recovery. 🐎🔍

🧬 What Is Ringworm?

Ringworm is not actually a worm but a contagious fungal infection. It spreads easily between horses—and even to humans—especially through shared tack and grooming equipment. 🧴🔁

🧠 How It Spreads:

• 📌 Direct horse-to-horse contact
• 🧼 Shared items like halters, girths, or saddle pads
• 👥 Zoonotic—can infect humans, too!

🩺 Symptoms of Ringworm:

• 🔘 Circular, crusty bald patches—often starting on the neck
• 💢 Mild itching and rubbing behavior
• 🧴 Spread to multiple areas over time

Diagnosis: Confirm with a fungal culture—vital to differentiate from bacterial infections. 🧪

🌧️ What Is Rain Scald?

Rain scald, also known as dermatophilosis, is a bacterial skin infection caused by Dermatophilus congolensis. It's most common during wet, humid seasons like fall and winter. ☔❄️

🌡️ How It Develops:

• 💧 Prolonged wet coat, especially under rain sheets or turnout rugs
• 🐾 Moisture and warmth create ideal conditions for bacterial growth
• 🧬 Usually spreads from horse to horse during grooming or turnout

🩺 Symptoms of Rain Scald:

• 🧱 Thick, painful scabs—often on the back, rump, or shoulders
• 🔴 Underlying pink, inflamed skin
• 💥 Clumps of hair come off with scabs

Diagnosis: Veterinary diagnosis by examining scabs under a microscope. 🧬🔬

🔍 Key Differences Between Ringworm and Rain Scald

🛠️ Treatment Options for 2025

🧴 Ringworm Treatment:

• 🧼 Daily washes with antifungal shampoo (e.g., miconazole or ketoconazole)
• 🟡 Lime sulfur dips for severe or widespread infections
• 🧹 Disinfect all tack, brushes, and blankets
• 🧤 Handle infected horses with gloves to prevent spread

🧽 Rain Scald Treatment:

• 🧴 Soak and soften scabs with antibacterial scrub (e.g., chlorhexidine)
• 🧬 Use penicillin injections or oral trimethoprim-sulfa antibiotics
• 🌬️ Keep horse dry and avoid blanketing damp horses

🚫 What Not to Do

• ❌ Don’t treat ringworm with antibiotics—they won’t work
• ❌ Don’t delay diagnosis—misidentifying can worsen symptoms
• ❌ Avoid crowding or mixing horses without proper disinfection

🧠 Vet Tip from Dr Duncan Houston

“When it comes to crusty lesions, don’t guess. Ringworm and rain scald may look similar, but need completely different treatments. A simple diagnostic test can save time, money, and your horse’s comfort.” 🐴🧪

🧼 Prevention Tips

• 🧽 Disinfect grooming tools between horses
• 🌦️ Dry off horses after rain or heavy sweating
• 🚿 Regularly wash blankets and saddle pads
• 🐴 Isolate new horses and watch for skin lesions

📦 Wrap-Up: Healthy Skin Starts with Clear Diagnosis

Ringworm and rain scald are common but easily treatable with the right approach. The key is early detection and correct diagnosis. Don’t risk spreading a contagious condition or wasting time on the wrong medication—consult your vet early and treat confidently. 🐎💡

Need help with diagnosis or treatment plans? Visit AskAVet.com or download the Ask A Vet app to speak with a licensed vet anytime. 📱🧴