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What's eating you? Canine scabies
Richard F Burroughs1, Dirk M Elston
1William Beaumont Army Medical Center, El Paso, Texas, USA.
Cutis
|September 5, 2003
Summary
Canine scabies, caused by Sarcoptes scabiei var canis, can cause itchy rashes in humans shortly after contact with an infected pet. Diagnosis can be challenging as skin scrapings are often negative, requiring a high index of suspicion.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Dermatology
- Human Dermatology
- Parasitology
Background:
- Canine scabies is caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei var canis.
- Human infestation can occur through close contact with affected dogs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the clinical presentation and diagnostic considerations of human scabies infestation originating from dogs.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical cases and relevant literature on canine scabies in humans.
- Emphasis on the typical timeline of rash development post-exposure.
Main Results:
- Pruritic rashes in humans typically appear 24-96 hours after exposure to Sarcoptes scabiei var canis.
- Dermatological examination and skin scrapings are frequently inconclusive for diagnosis.
Conclusions:
- A high index of clinical suspicion is crucial for diagnosing human scabies from canine sources.
- Prompt recognition and management are important to prevent further transmission and discomfort.