Can I catch mange from a wombat?
| Note - the following is not a substitute for seeing your doctor and is for information purposes only. We urge you to seek appropriate medical advice if you believe you are suffering from mange related skin irritations. |
No, you cannot catch mange from a wombat, however you might be susceptible to skin irritations and itchiness from contact with a manged wombat
Scabies (pronounced 'skay-bees') is the human equivalent of mange to some extent. It is also caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite that causes mange in wombats (and in canines). However, the variety of sarcoptic mite that causes scabies is host specific to humans. This means that the variety of mite that causes mange in wombats is different from the mite that causes scabies in humans. You cannot catch mange from wombats, however the sarcoptic mite will try to live on humans and cause skin irritations. The mites cannot, however, reproduce on humans, nor can they be transmitted from human to human. You can, however, transmit the sarcoptic mite to a mange free wombat or canine.
Symptoms
If you are nursing or handling a wombat with mange, irritations are likely to occur in areas that are in close proximity or in skin-to-skin contact with the wombat. The arms, crease and web areas of fingers are common places, as well as abdomen/chest areas if you are bottle feeding a wombat joey. The symptoms can spread to other parts of the body such as the legs and arms within the next few days as well.
Itchiness, a lumpy rash and pimple like irritations are the predominant features of the sarcoptic mite trying to effect humans. These can occur shortly after handling a manged wombat. The itch can become worse during nighttime in bed as the body is generally warmer - ideal conditions for the mite.
It is believed that human males have less chance of mite irritation owing to their lower pH level of skin than females, which means that their skin is slightly more acidic. However, we've yet to find documented proof that skin acidity may be an inhibitor to sarcoptic mite irritation.
Treatment
Usually the symptoms of the mite should clear up in humans
by themselves after 3 weeks, however antihistamines and calamine
lotions can be used to counteract itchiness. For stubborn
cases, over-the-counter products at chemists that contain
permethrin 5% (such as Lyclear) or benzyl benzoate (Ascabiol)
can be used.  Skin lotions that contain lindane or crotamiton
can also be used, however solutions containing permethrin
are preferred (owing to the toxicity of some of the active
ingredients within other products). Any other goods purporting
themselves to be a scabicide can also be used for treatment.
Read the directions carefully on these products, particularly
dilution amounts. A concentrated mix can actually burn the
skin.
When treated, symptoms should disappear after 2 weeks.
Prevention
Follow a strict quarantine procedure if you are dealing with manged wombats and have a common sense approach. Have an additional set of clothes set aside specifically for handling manged wombats, and place into a garbage bag for washing or transporting. Disposable gloves are also a good idea for handling manged wombats but dispose of them thoughtfully - don't leave them lying around. The last thing that you want is to infect other wombats that are mange free (not to mention any dogs in the area).
Anything that comes into contact with a manged wombat has the potential to transmit the sarcoptic mite onto another wombat. If you have used a trap to catch a manged wombat, remember to disinfect the trap after use - you don't want to use the trap shortly afterwards and infect a non manged wombat. If you have dogs, don't let them sniff around the trap afterwards. A blow torch or heat gun liberally applied to the trap's metal surfaces is ideal for removing any remnants of the sarcoptic mite.
References and other related material
- Human scabies of wombat origin - Lee Skerrat & I Beveridge
Australian Veterinary Journal, Vol 77, No.9, September 1999, p607
(One thing to note about this article is the case whereby a person handling a manged wombat cadaver was effected with irritations from the sarcoptic mite and was able to transmit the mite to another human - this is generally not the case.)
- Australian Prescriber - Treatment of Scabies
http://www.australianprescriber.com/magazines/vol23no2/scabies.html
- Parasitic Diseases - Scabies Fact sheet (CDC)
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/scabies/factsht_scabies.htm
- ICEH Resources Information Sheet - Scabies
http://iceh.uws.edu.au/docs/scabies.html
 Back one page
|
