Can a dog give you a skin rash
5 Skin Problems You Can Get From Your Pets
Mites are tiny, spiderlike creatures that hail from the tick family. They can also spread disease as they feed from the blood of their hosts.
The mites that cause cheyletiellosis, or cheyletiella mange, tend to hang out in kennels and pet shops, where pets can pick them up and bring them home with their owners. The result is a red, bumpy rash and white flakes that appear to be moving (which is why cheyletiellosis is sometimes known as "walking dandruff"). Cheyletiella mites can also infect humans, producing a rash on the arms, trunk, and buttocks.
Washing your pet weekly for six to eight weeks with a pyrethrin shampoo (the type of shampoo that's also used to kill lice) should take care of the mites. Make sure that you also spray all pet bedding. Once you've treated your pet, your rash should clear up.
The Sarcoptes scabiei mite causes sarcoptic mange (better known as scabies in humans). When these microscopic menaces get under the skin of your pet, they can lead to hair loss and some serious itching. Small red pustules erupt on the animal's skin. Because the dog or cat is itching so much, these pustules can get infected.
If your pet's mites jump to you or another human, they will cause a very itchy, pimply rash that can last for weeks. To treat the rash, your doctor can prescribe an ointment or cream called a scabicide to kill the mites. Also wash all of your towels, bedding and clothes in hot water or seal them in a plastic bag for at least 72 hours.
You can treat sarcoptic mange in your pet with an organophosphate dip, but this procedure isn't very pleasant. To prevent your dog or cat from getting sarcoptic mange in the first place, use a monthly medication that protects against the disease. Also treat your pet's bedding, because these hardy mites can survive for several days without their pet host.
Rashes on Dogs
A rash (pyoderma) is usually a temporary outbreak of scaly, patchy, and sometimes swollen or bumpy skin that is often red and may be itchy.
A rash can occur on any part of your dogs body, but it pops up most often on the belly. A rash by itself is usually minor and often goes away on its own, but it can be a sign of a more serious situation. The cause of rashes on a dog can range from parasites to diabetes.
Heres what you should know about rashes on dogs, from what to look for to possible causes and their treatments.
What to Check For if Your Dog Has a Rash
If your dogs rash gets worse or does not go away after a week, take your dog to the vet to be examined.
With rashes on dogs, you may see:
Causes of Rashes on Dogs
A rash can occur anywhere on a dogs body. The location of the rash can provide some clues as to what health issue may have caused it:
Belly rash or underarm rash: A belly rash on a dog is one of the more common reasons pet parents take their dogs to the vet. Rashes also often appear in a dogs underarms, more accurately, the point where a dogs front and hind legs meet the chest or abdomen. These rashes have many causes:
Groin-area rash: Like a belly rash, a rash in your dogs groin area is often due to:
Paw rash: Known as pododermatitis, this is inflammation of the paws that can include a rash. Causes can include:
Diagnosing Rashes on Dogs
Your vet will give your dog a physical exam and ask questions about your dogs diet, current health issues, home environment, and other factors. To diagnose a rash, your veterinarian will perform a number of tests, depending on the suspected cause, including:
Allergy tests if an allergen is suspected. This may include a food elimination diet or intradermal allergy testing.
Skin scraping to look for mites, bacteria, fungus, or other potential causes.
Skin biopsy, where a piece of skin is examined at a pathology laboratory (done in cases of recurring infection or rash).
Blood profile to check for diseases such as thyroid issues (hypothyroidism) or Cushings disease
Treatment for Rashes on Dogs
To eliminate the rash and make sure it doesnt come back, your vet will need to find and treat any underlying medical condition thats causing it.
They may also recommend several treatments for the rash and related symptoms. These may include:
Grooming (such as brushing or cutting away hair)
Oatmeal baths
Medicated dog shampoo (containing antifungal or antibacterial ingredients)
Anti-itch and anti-inflammatory medications
Elizabethan collar or e-collar to prevent a dog from irritating hot spots by licking or biting
Epsom salt foot soaks if your dogs paws are inflamed. Follow your veterinarians instructions, as these can dry out the skin if used inappropriately. Do not allow your dog to drink the solution, which has high sodium levels.
Featured image: iStock.com/SeventyFour
Rashes on Dogs FAQs
What can I put on my dogs skin rash?
Depending on the cause and location of the rash (and accompanying symptoms), a veterinarian may recommend oatmeal baths, medicated dog shampoos, or medication to reduce itching and inflammation. Do not give your dog any medications without a veterinarians recommendation and guidance.
What does a rash look like on a dog?
Rashes can appear red, bumpy, inflamed, or like welts. There might be hair loss or hot spots, areas of skin that are inflamed and oozing.
What can cause skin rashes on dogs?
Causes of rash in dogs are numerous and range from allergies and insect bites, which are most common, to thyroid conditions and cancer.
References
- Smith, John. American Heartworm Society. Heartworm Basics. January 2020.
- Veterinary Partner. Pruritus Diagnostics in Dogs and Cats. October 2003.
- Brooks, Wendy. Veterinary Partner. Itch Relief for Dogs and Cats. January 2001.
- White, S.D. Merck Veterinary Manual. Hives and Rashes (Urticaria) in Dogs. June 2018.
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.
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.
Contact dermatitis in dogs
As animal lovers, seeing a rash on your dog can be slightly panic-inducing. But dont worry. The prognosis of contact dermatitis is often good, and dogs recover without complications. If a secondary infection occurs, it will just take a bit longer to recover.
If you cant get into the vet until the next few days, you can do a few things at home to help ease the itchiness and stress of your pup. Try using a mild shampoo, an antibiotic ointment, or a cortisone cream, or give them an antihistamine.
Bathe your dog with a mild shampoo If you can bathe your dog, use a mild, hypoallergenic, or sensitive skin shampoo to remove any allergens on its fur and skin. If bathing is not an option, use an unscented dog wipe to wipe down their legs, body, belly, and head.
Apply an antibiotic ointment Bacitracin is deemed safe for use on animals. You can rub some bacitracin on the affected area where it looks red or irritated. Many dogs will probably want to lick the area, especially once you start putting a cream on it, so its best to use an e-collar to prevent them from ingesting any.
Use a cortisone cream Cortisone cream is an anti-inflammatory and is effective for treating skin irritation in dogs. However, it should only be used for a few days. It can be helpful in calming rashes, skin allergies, inflammation, and hot spots. Before applying, make sure there are no lesions.
Give your dog antihistamines If your dog is really suffering from a rash, hives, itching, and sneezing, you can give it antihistamines like Benadryl. But be sure its only generic diphenhydramine and not mixed with additives, flavors, or alcohol since these can be toxic.
Contact dermatitis in dogs can be caused by many things. While its easy to assume its from one thing or another, the best place to start is the vet. Determining the root cause of your dogs rash allows your veterinarian to tailor your dogs treatment to the underlying issue rather than temporarily alleviating symptoms.
