Skin Irritations and Skin Diseases

Image via WikipediaThese days we see shampoos and conditioners, bath soaps and hair powders being sold online, not for human use, but for dogs. Yes, dogs. They even have weight loss pills for the overweight (or overfed) canines.

However, it's not true that dogs can pass on scabies to humans. Dogs are infected by a different type of scabies mite. If your pet has mange the mite can get under your skin and cause itching and skin irritation, but it dies after a few days and does not lay eggs. Unless your pet is treated the mites will continue to bite you and cause skin irritation.

The wrong kind of scabies mite, however, that infects humans is called the itch mite, or the Sarcoptes scabiei. It thrives in congested areas where there is frequent skin-to-skin contact between people. Places such as hospitals, crowded prisons, and nursing homes are prone to scabies infestation.

The female scabies mite causes itching and redness on the skin when it burrows and lays eggs underneath. Because of the continued scratching due to itching, the skin breaks and develops a bacterial infection. This itching is more intense at night because the mites are nocturnal creatures and move around often that time.

Other symptoms include pimple-like irritations, burrows or rash of the skin, especially the webbing between the fingers; the skin folds on the wrist, elbow, or knee; the penis, the breast, or shoulder blades.

Infestation is spread through prolonged contact (a hug is not enough). Scabies can be spread between sexual partners and household members. Or through sharing of clothes, towels and beddings.

Scabies can be cured through the use of creams or ointments containing gamma benzene hexachloride or benzyl benzoate. To disinfect, all clothing and bedding of the victim and his household should be disinfected.