Dreamcatcher Alpacas
Alpaca health · Skin & fleece

Ringworm (Dermatophytosis) in Alpacas

Updated 2026-10-02By the Dreamcatcher Alpacas editorial team5 peer-reviewed references
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Book a vet visit soon

Not usually an emergency, but it needs a diagnosis and a plan.

A fungal skin infection producing crusty, hairless patches, often on the face and ears. Contagious to people.

Category
Skin & fleece
Urgency
Book a vet visit soon
Spreads to people
Yes — see below

Signs & symptoms

  • Round or irregular crusty, scaly hairless patches
  • Mostly on face, ears and neck
  • Mild itching

Related symptom guides: Fleece Loss & Itching, Crusty Nose, Eyes or Ears.

What causes it?

Trichophyton and Microsporum fungi spread by direct contact and on equipment, halters and fences.

Risk factors

  • Young animals
  • Damp, crowded housing
  • Shared halters and grooming tools

How vets diagnose it

Fungal culture or PCR of hair and scrapings.

Treatment

Often self-limiting over weeks; your vet may recommend topical antifungal washes.

Prevention

  • Disinfect halters and tools
  • Isolate affected animals

Can people catch it?

Ringworm spreads to people — wear gloves and wash hands.

Background

Dermatophytosis, also known as tinea and ringworm, is a fungal infection of the skin, that may affect skin, hair, and nails. Typically it results in a red, itchy, scaly, circular rash. Hair loss may occur in the area affected. Symptoms begin four to fourteen days after exposure. The types of dermatophytoses are typically named for the area of the body that they affect. Multiple areas can be affected at a given time.From Wikipedia — “Dermatophytosis”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Research & references

PubMed lists 5 peer-reviewed papers on this topic in camelids. The most relevant include:

  1. Llama dermatology. Rosychuk RA The Veterinary clinics of North America. Food animal practice, 1989. PubMed 2647233 · DOI · cited 12×
  2. Comparison of in vitro activities of 11 antifungal agents against Trichophyton verrucosum isolates associated with a variety hosts and geographical origin. Łagowski D, Gnat S, Nowakiewicz A et al. Mycoses, 2020. PubMed 31820493 · DOI · cited 13×
  3. Diagnostic and epidemiological analysis of Trichophyton benhamiae infection on an alpaca (Vicugna pacos) farm in Poland. Łagowski D, Gnat S, Nowakiewicz A et al. Veterinaria italiana, 2021. PubMed 35593495 · DOI · cited 1×
  4. Identification of emerging trends in the prevalence of dermatophytoses in alpacas (Vicugna pacos) farmed in Poland. Gnat S, Łagowski D, Nowakiewicz A et al. Transboundary and emerging diseases, 2020. PubMed 32406160 · DOI · cited 4×
  5. In search of the source of dermatophytosis: Epidemiological analysis of Trichophyton verrucosum infection in llamas and the breeder (case report). Łagowski D, Gnat S, Nowakiewicz A et al. Zoonoses and public health, 2019. PubMed 31538413 · DOI · cited 25×

Frequently asked questions

What is ringworm (Dermatophytosis) in alpacas?
A fungal skin infection producing crusty, hairless patches, often on the face and ears. Contagious to people.
What are the signs of ringworm (Dermatophytosis)?
Round or irregular crusty, scaly hairless patches, mostly on face, ears and neck and mild itching.
How do you prevent ringworm (Dermatophytosis)?
Disinfect halters and tools. Isolate affected animals.
Is ringworm (Dermatophytosis) an emergency?
Book a vet visit soon. Not usually an emergency, but it needs a diagnosis and a plan.
Can people catch it from alpacas?
Ringworm spreads to people — wear gloves and wash hands.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a veterinarian who has examined your animals. Camelid medicine uses many drugs “extra-label”, so dosing must come from your vet. In an emergency, call your vet first. Read our disclaimer · How we write and review content.