Red Mange in Humans

Mange is an unattractive and painful disorder caused by mange mites which burrow into the skin. Mange is highly contagious and is spread by contact. It can occur in dogs, cats, horses, cattle and other animals and can also affect humans.

Symptoms

• Red Mange, that occurs in dogs, is caused by a mite that lives in the hair follicles. When Red Mange first appears it will cause bald areas on the animal where hair has fallen out. As the bald spots increase in size, itching and irritation will occur. The area can also become infected with bacteria which causes a foul odor. Red Mange will weaken the animal's immune system making them susceptible to other diseases as well. Red Mange in humans starts with a rash that develops shortly after contact with an infected dog. The rash may appear as pimples or blisters on the arms, thighs and abdomen.

Misconceptions

• The most common misconception regarding mange is that it can not be spread to humans. Although it is rare, there are several types of this disorder including Red Mange which can be spread to humans after coming in contact with an infected animal.

Treatment

• Medicated shampoos are the beast treatment for cases of Red Mange in dogs. Antibiotics may also be effective to treat any secondary bacterial infections brought on by the mange. Parasitical rinses can be prescribed by a veterinarian for extreme cases and must be applied one or two times a week until all mites are gone. For humans, topical scabicidal agents are the most common treatment for Red Mange. These types of products are also used for the treatment of Scabies and can be found at most pharmacies.

Alternative treatment

• Vitamin E oil is safe to use for both dogs and humans to help improve the quality of the skin and relieve itching caused by Red Mange. Other alternative treatments include fish oil, which is effective for itching, and garlic, which contains sulphur compounds that mites dislike. Diluted garlic oil can be applied topically to the rash to help minimize any bacterial infections.

Prevention/Solution

• Red mange is spread to humans from an infected animal so the best way to prevent infestation is to keep your animals free from mange in the first place. Proper care and good hygiene will increase a dog's resistance to skin diseases. Keeping your dogs away from other animals which may carry mange is another way to prevent the spread. In all cases of mange a veterinarian should be consulted for early treatment and gloves should be worn when caring for any dog that is infected. To prevent any re-infestation, clean all clothes and bedding of the affected person in hot water and dry with high heat. Place any items that can not be washed in a sealed plastic bag and keep sealed for several weeks. The mites will die when they can't eat.