What is Mange?
Mange can affect human and pets. The microscopic parasites are commonly referred to as mites. They live on the skin and in the fur of animals, and can be easily transferred from pets to humans.
Although most varieties of mange are nearly impossible to see with the naked eye, there are some forms of mange that are visible. The mites will appears as tiny black bugs on the skin of a pet. If they have eaten the blood of the pet recently they may appear red in color. They are most commonly found in warm, moist areas on the pet, including their arm pits, near the anus, and around the mouth and by the ears.
Humans and Mange
If a human handles a pet effected by mange, the parasites can be transferred. Warning signs of mange in a human are itchy rash patches on the skin. The rash often starts at the waist line where the pants sit. They may also be found along the collar line, around bra straps, along the edge of underwear and on the stomach.
Mange on human skin is very itchy. Cream ointments can be prescribed to suffocate and kill the parasites. Without medical treatment the mange will continue to spread. Since it is a parasite, the rash can move over the body rather quickly, covering the entire body in less than a week if not treated.
Pets and Mange
Pets that carry mange often scratch themselves excessively. You may notice patchy fur loss due to the excessive rubbing. Pets often can't scratch the area behind the head and may show signs of fur loss from the parasites at the back of the head, on the back and above the shoulder blades.
Dogs, hamsters, mice, rats, birds and other small animals have been known to carry and transfer mange to humans. Mange is common among animals kept in large breeding facilities for the pet retail industry. Small animals such as hamsters and mice can die from mange if left untreated. The parasites will cover the entire body of the animal, making them unable to eat, function or breathe. Larger animals can also die from mange if there is no human intervention.
To avoid getting mange avoid intimate contact with pets. Kissing them directly, sleeping with pets that spend a lot of time outdoors or getting friendly with pets housed together (such as shelters and pet stores) may cause a transfer of mange.
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