Scabies and mange mites
What causes scabies and mange? Both conditions are caused by a tiny mite (drawing) that burrows into the skin causing irritation and intense itching. Many mites (tiny, eight-legged animals more closely related to spiders than to insects) cause skin irritations and allergic reactions. These include house dust mites , grocers itch mites , chiggers or red mites , and several different fowl mites . Only one mite, however, actually burrows into the skin. These are scabies , or the human itch, mites . In cats and dogs we use the term mange to describe two different mite infestations. One of the mange mites is the same one that causes scabies in humans. What does scabies look like? Scabies mites are very small (female: 1/60"). They burrow into and feed under the skin. They spend their entire life cycle on the host, but can survive off-host for up to 10 days, if conditions are moist. For this reason the mites can be transmitted by infested clothing, towels, bedding, and so forth....