Can dogs cause skin rashes on humans
5 Skin Conditions Dogs Can Pass On To Humans
If you are like most dog parents, then you frequently give your dog hugs and snuggle up to them.
You might even allow your dog to sleep in the same bed as you.
Did you know there are some pretty serious skin problems that you can get from your dog?
Here are 5 dog skin conditions (plus one painful disease) that dogs can pass onto humans
How Dog Skin Conditions Transfer To Humans
Dogs typically get these skin conditions while playing outside, in dog parks, or while roaming the neighborhood.
However, believe it or not, your dog can actually pass on a skin condition to you without having the skin condition himself!
For example, one way that a dog can pass on a skin condition is by being petted. If someone pets your dog and they have a skin condition, if your dog rubs on you or you pet him, then you have a good chance of getting the skin condition yourself.
Who knew???
Like people, all animals carry germs But pets also carry certain bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi that can cause illness if transmitted to humans. Humans get these animal-borne diseases when theyre bitten or scratched or have contact with an animals waste, saliva, or dander. Source
5 Skin Conditions Dogs Can Pass Onto Humans
#1 Im sure youve heard of people getting Staph Infections, like MRSA, while in the hospital. Did you know that you can get a Staph Infection from your dog? Some Staph Infections cannot be treated with common antibiotics. Dogs pick up the bacteria for a Staph Infection from a person. Then, if your dog bites another person (or, if his saliva simply enters through a cut on the persons hand or some other open wound), the Staph Infection gets passed on to that person as well.
#2 Another skin condition that you can get from your dog is Scabies. Scabies is caused by a mite that is known to hang around kennels and pet shops. Scabies is a red bumpy rash with white flakes and the mites (known as Sarcoptic Mites and Mange) appear to be moving under the skin. Ive had experience with Scabies. When Iwas around 8, my entire family got infected with Scabies. It itches really bad. Our family doctor treated it with a prescribed lotion. A friend of mine also got Scabies from a dog that she rescued.
Here are 3 other dog skin conditions that can be passed on to humans:
#3 Ringworm This is actually a fungus, not an actual worm. (Its highly contagious to humans and other pets.)
#4 Hookworm This can cause abdominal pain, anemia, and diarrhea. (Heres more about how hookworms can infect humans.)
#5 Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Your dog gets this from a tick bite. (My same friends dog also got Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, in addition to the Scabies.)
What About Lyme Disease?
While not a skin problem, another serious medical condition that you can get from your dog is Lyme Disease.
Ifa tick that has infected your dog getsonto your own body, then you would be exposed to Lyme Disease as well. Lyme Disease can be painful and debilitating for both humans and dogs.
Heres how to tell if your dog has Lyme Disease from a tick bite.
photo by Mike Baird
I have 2 Miniature Pinschers. My husband and I consider them our 4-legged kids.
Skin Rashes Caused by Cats
Cats and humans normally keep their diseases to themselves. If you've ever been licked affectionately or scratched accidentally and gotten a rash, you've been infected by one of the few diseases that can be transmitted to a human from a feline. Cats can pick up diseases from litter boxes, contaminated soil, other cats or fleas and ticks. If you come into contact with an infected cat, you risk contracting a disease. But by using caution, you can prevent an infection, according to Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine.
Indoor Cats
Cat scratch fever or disease does not cause a distinct rash (or a fever), but the scratch site may become red.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is transmitted by ticks, producing a rash that can spread across the wrists, palms, ankles, soles and trunk of the body. The disease is common in the south central and the mid-south regions of the United States. Physicians treat it with antibiotics.
Cats with toxoplasmosis pick up the parasite on their paws from their litter box. Infected humans may develop a rash accompanied by fatigue, muscle pain, sore throat, fever or swollen lymph glands. Healthy people may show no symptoms, but pregnant women risk a miscarriage or premature birth, and newborns risk severe illness or blindness. Pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems from HIV or cancer should not come in contact with litter boxes.
Outdoor Cats
Human Skin Rashes From Dogs & Cats
Outdoor cats can pick up germs from contact with the ground, fleas or infected animals. Ringworm is a skin infection caused by a mix of fungi found in the soil that passing cats can contract. Ringworm creates a dry, scaly round area on the skin with a rash-like red, uneven, swollen border and a clear center. Physicians prescribe anti-fungal cream, shampoo or oral medicines for ringworm. Toxocariasis comes from the parasitic roundworm Toxocara. Infected cats' stools contaminate the ground, and cats picked up the worms' eggs. The eggs hatch in the human intestine. This causes a visceral larva migrans infection, which can appear as a rash, as well as swollen lymph nodes, fever, cough or wheezing and an enlarged liver. These can go away by themselves or with medicines that kill the larvae. According to Kidshealth, larvae that get to the eye through the bloodstream can cause permanent loss of vision.
An itchy skin disease that comes from contact with hookworm-contaminated soil is called cutaneous larva migrans.
Prevention
Wash hands after handling cats or cleaning their litter boxes. Scoop litter boxes daily, and clean with scalding water and detergent periodically, the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine suggests.
Don't let small children, especially those with HIV or cancer or who use prednisone frequently, play with kittens or roughly with older cats. Use flea and tick control, and keep outdoor sandboxes covered.
Can you get a skin allergy from dogs?
When people say "skin allergy," they're normally referring to allergic contact dermatitis. Allergic contact dermatitis happens when you touch something that your body deems dangerous, even though it's actually harmless. You react with symptoms like rashes, pain, redness, swelling and blisters. Common types of allergic contact dermatitis are allergies to poison ivy, latex and nickel. Meanwhile, pet allergies are most commonly reactions to dander and little bits of protein from dog saliva that you inhale. Your body's reaction is normally some type of cold-like symptom: coughing, sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes or congestion.
However, some highly sensitive people react to dog allergens by breaking out in a rash on their upper chest, neck and face. If they're licked, bitten or scratched by a dog, the area may become red. Also, if a dog allergen lands on an eye or nose membrane, the area could swell up or itch. Reactions like these may look like a skin allergy.
Am I allergic to my dog?
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People who are allergic to dogs may experience a rash, hives, or watery eyes when exposed to dog saliva or dog dander.
In many cases, symptoms of a dog allergy are mild, and a person may still be able to live with a dog if they can manage their symptoms. Some home remedies can reduce symptoms. However, the only truly effective way to eliminate dog allergies is to avoid exposure to dogs.
In this article, we look at symptoms of allergic reactions to dogs and ways to manage them, including home remedies and medical treatments.
Specific symptoms and when they occur depend on the severity of the allergy. People who have severe allergic reactions to dogs may experience symptoms soon after exposure, while those with more minor allergies may take longer to develop symptoms.
Symptoms include:
- a skin rash that is red or consists of small, red, raised bumps called hives
- nasal congestion
- a runny nose and sneezing
- itchy, red, and watering eyes
- coughing
- wheezing
- tightness in the chest and shortness of breath
If a person lives with a dog, it is difficult to make the environment allergen-free. Dog dander (dead skin cells) can linger in the air for a long time and can stick to household items, such as curtains, furniture, bedding, and carpets.
Hypoallergenic breeds of dogs shed less than others so they may be less likely to cause allergic reactions. However, some
The only sure way to eliminate dog allergies is by avoiding contact with dogs. However, if a person does spend time with dogs, the following home remedies may help them to manage symptoms:
- Using a saline sinus rinse. Rinse the nostrils using a mixture made of 3 teaspoons of salt (iodine free), 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 8 ounces of warm water. Use an ear dropper to put the solution into the nostril or purchase a sinus rinsing device from a pharmacy or online.
- Plant supplements. Taking certain plant supplements, such as those containing rosmarinic acid, may reduce allergy symptoms according to a 2014 study.
Lifestyle tips that can reduce the impact of dog allergies include:
- avoiding touching eyes or face after contact with dogs
- washing hands with soap after contact with dogs
- avoiding close contact with dogs, such as hugging or kissing them
- using a vacuum cleaner designed to trap and contain airborne allergens
- cleaning the house, washing the bedding weekly, and keeping the house tidy
- cleaning more often during winter months
- restricting dogs to specific rooms or spaces
- keeping dogs out of the bedroom and off furniture
- bathing dogs every 1 to 2 weeks
- wearing a dust mask and gloves while cleaning or in areas with dogs
- brushing and cleaning dogs outdoors when possible
If anyone is considering bringing a dog into their home, they should do an allergy test or undertake a trial period before committing to this.
There are over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications available that can help reduce or resolve the symptoms for people who are allergic to dogs.
OTC remedies for dog allergies include:
Antihistamines
Antihistamine medications block histamine, a compound that helps initiate local immune responses and cause allergy symptoms. Popular OTC brands for long-term exposure may contain loratadine, cetirizine hydrochloride, or fexofenadine hydrochloride.
Antihistamines can be bought online or obtained on prescription from a doctor.
Nasal decongestants and nasal corticosteroids
These medications help reverse the inflammation caused by immune responses and relieve nasal congestion. Some nasal corticosteroids are now available without a prescription and can be purchased online.
Immunotherapy
An allergist (a specialist in diagnosing allergies) may treat severe or chronic allergy symptoms using immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots.
Immunotherapy involves injecting allergens into a person in gradually increasing amounts. These allergy shots help a person to build a tolerance to allergens. It usually takes several sessions over several months to complete immunotherapy.
Other treatments
Many people with pet allergies also have asthma, and exposure to the pet allergens can cause asthmatic episodes or worsen a persons symptoms. In these situations, a doctor may prescribe inhalable corticosteroids or bronchodilators that help keep the airways open.
Dogs produce a variety of proteins that cause allergies in some people. The highest concentrations of these proteins are in dog saliva, with lower amounts found in dander and urine.
Dander tends to build up on hair follicles, so dog hair usually carries a large number of allergens.
If a doctor thinks that a person may be allergic to dogs, they will refer them to an allergist.
In most cases, an allergist will use a skin-prick test to diagnose allergies.
During a skin-prick test, an allergist will put a droplet containing a tiny amount of dog proteins onto the skin. They will then make a small prick in the skin, allowing the mixture to enter the body.
Most people who are allergic to the mixture will have a response within 15 to 30 minutes.
Sometimes, an allergist will decide that an individual who thinks they are allergic to dogs is actually responding to other allergens commonly found on dogs or dog hair, such as dust or pollen.
People who are allergic to dogs can get relief from symptoms by avoiding dogs and places where there are dogs. Many people choose to manage their symptoms by making lifestyle adjustments, such as more frequent housecleaning, but this can be extremely challenging.
OTC medications, such as antihistamines and nasal decongestants, can also help a person reduce or manage their allergy symptoms.
People with more severe or chronic dog allergies should speak with a doctor about prescription medications and therapies that can help manage symptoms.
