Cheyletiellosis B88.0

Lomholt, 1918

Worldwide occurring mite disease of the Cheyletiellidae family, which is transmissible from animal to human, whose primary hosts are small mammals. S.a.among mites.

Cheyletiella (fur mites), 5 species (in dog, cat, rabbit, hare). Fur mites are permanent ectoparasites of mammals that do not bury themselves in the skin. The mites are 0.5 mm in size, they are whitish in colour and have stinging mouth limbs. If the domestic animals are heavily infested, the fur can appear mealy and whitish due to the masses of nits that are stuck on them.

Of importance for humans are:

• Cheyletiella parasitivorax (rabbit)
• Cheyletiella yasguri (dogs)
• Cheyletiella blakei (cats)
• Cheyletiella furmani (rabbit)
• Cheyletiella strandmanni (rabbits)

Stem, chest area, groin region - often where there has been intensive contact with the sick pet.

Irregularly distributed, sometimes also grouped, urticarial or maculopapular, rarely vesicular, strongly itchy efflorescences at contact points. Significant increase in itching with bed heat.

Spontaneous healing within 1-3 weeks, as mites can only survive for a few days in the absence of a human host (female mites for a maximum of 10 days).

Infested animals and their roost should be treated with insecticides, e.g. with acaricide (veterinary treatment).

To accelerate the healing process Externa containing glucocorticoids such as 1% hydrocortisone lotio, e.g. R123 or, if necessary, the more effective 0.1% hydrocortisone-17-butyrate cream (e.g. Laticort®).

Bland therapy with Lotio alba can also be helpful.

Only in cases of persistent itching the alternating combination of a glucocorticoid externum with an acaricide (e.g. from the group of pyrethroids e.g. 5% permethrin cream) is recommended.

It is important to treat the infected animals, as there is a risk of reinfection.

1. Jovanovic S et al (2003) Exposition and sensitisation to indoor allergens, house dust mite allergen and cat allergens. Healthcare 65: 457-463
2. Mamali K et al (2014) Cheyletiella dermatitis. Nude Dermatol 40: 92-94
3. Wagner R, stable master N (2000) Cheyletiella dermatitis in humans, dogs and cats. Br J Dermatol 143: 1110-1112