What is mange and scabies delicate skin such as ears, nose, and Who should I contact, if I and what causes them? elbows. An allergic reaction develops suspect mange or scabies? Mange is a disease caused by tiny to the mite, leading to intense itching. In Animals – microscopic parasites called mites. Small blisters may form and vigorous Contact your veterinarian. These organisms infest the skin of scratching causes the blisters to open In Humans – affected animals or humans. There and become covered with scales and Contact your physician and are a variety of species of mites. scabby plaques that may often ooze tell them you have been in contact Infestation is also called acariasis (a-K- fluid. Skin may become thickened. with an animal with mange. ah-RYE-a-sis). Can I get mange or scabies? How can I protect my animal Scabies is a type of mange caused Yes. People can get mites from from mange or scabies? by a particular family of mite. Scabies infested people or animals by direct Mites are most often introduced is also the term most commonly used contact. Human mites generally on infested animals. Prevention relies when referring to human cases, while require prolonged contact to spread. on identifying and treating these mange is used more commonly for Human-specific mite species (scabies) animals. Most mites do not survive for animals. Mites can be host specific will require treatment. long periods off of the animal, but in or affect a variety of species. Mites Some mite species from infested some cases you may need to treat the cause an extremely itchy, reddened animals can also transfer to humans. animal’s environment. condition of the skin. Typically, mites from animals cause an How can I protect myself What animals get mange allergic reaction in the skin, resulting in from mange or scabies? and scabies? redness, irritation and intense itching. You can prevent exposure to mites Different types of mites infest The mites may cause you to itch for by treating infested pets, livestock, or different species of animals. Scabies several days, but you do not need to birds. Gloves, boots and protective and mange can occur in more than be treated with special medication clothing can decrease the risk of 100 species of animals, including birds. to kill the mites. However, until your pet is successfully treated for mites transmission when handling affected How can my animal get you may become re-infested and animals. Always wash your hands after mange or scabies? continue to have symptoms. having contact with animals. All of the mites that cause mange For More Information are spread by direct contact. The scabies and mange mites are highly CFSPH Technical Fact Sheets. Acariasis contagious (easily spread to other at http://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/ DiseaseInfo/default.htm animals or people). Some mites can survive for several days off an animal’s CDC website. Scabies at http://www.cdc.gov/ parasites/scabies/index.html body, on clothes, towels, or bedding, so these objects can be a source of infestation. Mange and Scabies How does mange and are caused by mites scabies affect my animal? which infest the skin of The most noticeable signs of animals and humans. scabies or mange infestation in animals include severe itching and hair Left: Dog with mange. Right: Microscopic view loss. The disease usually starts on the of a mite. Photos from CDC Public Health Image Library and The Ohio State University. head and on areas of the body with
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