- Most mammals are susceptible to sarcoptic mange; human infection leads to scabies. Demodetic mange is principally confined to puppies and frequently resolves by itself.
- Demodetic mange is typically caused by the Demodex canis mite, but can also be caused by the Demodex gatoi or Demodex injai mites. Sarcoptic mange is the result of infection with the Sarcoptes scabei mite.
- Sarcoptic mange mites typically breed; the female burrows beneath the skin, lays eggs and when the eggs hatch the process repeats. Demodetic mange mites live in hair follicles and infestation moves between follicles.
- Humans can serve as hosts to sarcoptic mange mites, but while the mites can burrow they cannot bring their life cycle to completion. This limits human infection to a few weeks.
- Animal mange symptoms include scratching, hair loss, sores and, often, secondary bacterial infections. Standard treatments for both types of mange include the antiparasitic medication Ivermectin and the anti-parasitic dip Mitaban.
Susceptibility
Cause
Infection
Human Infection
Symptoms and Treatments
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