 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
| HomeDiscussion GroupsGeneral TopicsCat AnecdotesHealth and BehaviorRescue CatKB.com Contact UsLink To UsSearch & Site Map |
Cat Forum / General Topics / January 2006Scabies
One of my lovely 4th graders gave me a patch of scabies on one of my palms. I believe this is only a human skin condition, but should I be concerned about passing it to my kitty? It's being treated now, but I'd hate for the cat and I to pass it back and forth. I didn't think to ask my doctor, but is it correct that this is only a human thing? I've never had it before and let me just say that it TOTALLY SUCKS! But, at least it hasn't spread anywhere else, thank God. Beth > One of my lovely 4th graders gave me a patch of scabies on one of my > palms. I believe this is only a human skin condition, but should I be [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Beth I think you should talk to your vet about this -- and do it ASAP. Scabies is easily transmitted via various hosts. My mother is in a nursing home and has had 3 incidents of scabies, apparently transported by the wide varietyof people who either visit or work there. Her doctor said this is very common, so it is not a problem with just that particular facility. With each infection, the room has to undergo complete sanitation, with clothing and other fabrics sterilized. As you no doubt already know, the treatment for people involves a cream or lotion that must be applied to all parts of the body. I rather doubt that you could "give" scabies to a cat (but can't guarantee this -- as I said, you need to consult your vet). However, I think the cat could serve as a host, and the mite could be passed back and forth from person to cat to person, etc. After all, people can be infected by coming into contact with sheets or clothing used by the infected person, so I would think that a cat's fur could serve as a host in the same way. So, you need to check on whether your cat should be bathed -- and which product should be used. Don't use any over-the-counter medications; be sure to use only something that is recommended by your vet. Incidentally, there is a form of scabies that infects animals. As far as I know, that is a different type of mite and form does not become an infestation in people. MaryL >> One of my lovely 4th graders gave me a patch of scabies on one of my >> palms. I believe this is only a human skin condition, but should I be [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > > MaryL When I worked in hospitals, I got human scabies *once* from a toilet seat (yes, they can crawl on this) and I worked only on pediatrics at that time. I was given the cream to put on myself and instructed re all cleansing methods you mention; I, too assumed our cats could harbor the spider-like mites. Docs said no, the human form does NOT live on pets or animals, just humans. You can imagine what body part my outbreak was on. >>> One of my lovely 4th graders gave me a patch of scabies on one of my >>> palms. I believe this is only a human skin condition, but should I be [quoted text clipped - 37 lines] > form does NOT live on pets or animals, just humans. > You can imagine what body part my outbreak was on. Oh I am SO SORRY for that outbreak of yours! Mine is on my hand and I spread it to me feet when I clipped my nails....and that sucks enough! >>> One of my lovely 4th graders gave me a patch of scabies on one of my >>> palms. I believe this is only a human skin condition, but should I be [quoted text clipped - 37 lines] > form does NOT live on pets or animals, just humans. > You can imagine what body part my outbreak was on. I didn't mean that the mite would live (at least, not for very long) on cats. I realize the form that inhabits people are "exclusive" to us. However, it seems to me that pets could serve as very temporary carriers -- in the same way that sheets or clothing can transport the little parasites from one person to another, yet they obviously could not "live" on a sheet. MaryL >> When I worked in hospitals, I got human scabies *once* >> from a toilet seat (yes, they can crawl on this) and I worked only on [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > MaryL I see your point. That is exactly what I thought then, and was ready to "dip" all the cats in whatever it took. Docs told me not to bother. They also told me to use "hot" dryer setting, and not to hang sheets/clothing outside on line to dry. I remember thinking scabies must be rather fragile little devils, not like ticks or chiggers. The cream worked almost immediately for relief; from scratching I got them between my fingers, too. We had a lot more trouble later ridding the kids of head lice from school...... >>> When I worked in hospitals, I got human scabies *once* >>> from a toilet seat (yes, they can crawl on this) and I worked only on [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > from scratching I got them between my fingers, too. We had a lot more > trouble later ridding the kids of head lice from school...... Okay, thanks. That's good to know. MaryL >>>> When I worked in hospitals, I got human scabies *once* >>>> from a toilet seat (yes, they can crawl on this) and I worked only on [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] >>> little parasites from one person to another, yet they obviously could >>> not "live" on a sheet. Yes thank you! That is very good to know that it will not be all that difficult to get completely rid of them. Beth >>> MaryL >> I see your point. That is exactly what I thought then, and was ready to [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > MaryL > Yes thank you! That is very good to know that it will not be all that > difficult to get completely rid of them. > Beth > Okay, thanks. That's good to know. >> MaryL I remember (we're talking 1979 here) the scabies itched very bad; almost irresistible to scratch; that cream must have killed them right away - it's some kind of insecticide; careful with kids in your house. OTOH, about 2 years later, those head lice are VISIBLE -not a pretty sight - and required several treatments; I remember fine-tooth-combing eggs out of kids' hair. Very grateful I was never gifted with any head lice myself. Glad to be of help. >> Yes thank you! That is very good to know that it will not be all that >> difficult to get completely rid of them. [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > hair. Very grateful I was never gifted with any head lice > myself. Glad to be of help. Oh yes, be VERY grateful. I guess I should be glad that it's been more than 10 years since I was infested with a type of critter. I have very thick curly hair and I got headlice from school one year. It was absolutely awful trying to get rid of them with all that hair! Beth > One of my lovely 4th graders gave me a patch of scabies on one of my palms. I think I'd quit touching the kids if they are that nasty. If you have to touch them maybe rubber gloves are in order. |
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2008 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.