What is mange, and what are its signs and symptoms?
Mange is a persistent and contagious disease of the skin caused by parasitic mites. They are common external parasites that live in the dog’s skin or hair follicles. This kind of mite can dig through the skin leading to mild to severe inflammation, itching, and loss of hair when they proliferate quickly. So what are the signs and symptoms, and what are home remedies for mange?
The signs and symptoms of mange in dogs depend on the type of mite which causes the disease.
Sarcoptic mange (a kind of mite that is oval, light in color, and microscopy size) causes
- severe itching or even pain
- skin irritation and redness
- intense scratching
- scabs
- hair loss
These symptoms normally occur 7- 10 days after exposure to another affected animal and are most severe in the ears, face, and elbows of hosts. When it transfers to humans, it tends to cause red swells, which are confused with mosquito bites.
Demodectic mange is. It is characterized by
- spots of hair loss
- scabs
- mild to severe itching
- pain and discomfort
All dogs are exposed to this kind of mite by their mother when they cuddle and can live in harmony together. Demodectic mange is unable to transmit either affect human beings.
Can a mange be cured?
Mange is a treatable disease. When you notice any mange’s signs or symptoms, you should first take your dog to a veterinarian for consults. Otherwise, there are excellent natural home remedies for mange that you can consider.
Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) and Borax solution
Hydrogen peroxide has natural disinfectant properties and is applied to sterilize several surfaces and against harmful microorganisms. While Borax is an anti – fungi, it can be used as a component of cleaning products, hand soap, and tooth whitening. The solution of Hydrogen Peroxide and Borax is one of the most amazing natural home remedies for mange. It works as a disinfectant to clean the mite’s living environment.
How to apply
- Add 2 cups of Hydrogen Peroxide, 3 teaspoons of Borax in a bowl of 1000 ml water, and mix the mixture until it dissolves in water.
- Steep your pet’s skin with this solution for 2- 3 hours; then, you can clean your pet’s skin with water again or not.
- Do this remedy 2- 3 times every week for 2- 3 months to ensure the reinfection risk is reduced.
- Remember not to let your dog eat this mixture due to its harmful effects when eating.
Soak with sulfur soap (salicylic acid)
Sulfur soap, also known as salicylic acid, is an anti- bacteria that can kill and prevent them from being reinfected. Sulfur soak is another effective home remedy for mange that can eliminate parasitic mites, so you should not ignore it.
How to apply
- Wet your pet’s skin with water, then use sulfur soak to rub the skin until it becomes foamy.
- Let it be there for 1- 2 hours to facilitate the mite elimination, then clean the pet’s skin with water.
- Let your pet shake itself, then sun him or her until it dries.
- Do this remedy 2- 3 times per week in a few months or until you notice the change.
Raw apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has been used as a disinfectant to kill pathogens, including bacteria and fungi for a long time ago. It can work well in killing parasitic mites that cause the disease.
How to apply
- Make a solution by adding a glass of raw apple cider vinegar with 1 glass of water, then spill the mixture into a spray bottle. Wet the pet’s skin with it until it becomes saturated, and let it dries by itself. Repeat this process 2- 3 times every week for a few weeks to get better results.
- Another way for you when using apple cider vinegar as a natural home remedy for mange is to make a solution of ½ glass of raw apple cider vinegar( about 100ml), ½ glass of Borax( 100ml), and ½ glass of lukewarm water( 100ml) in a large bowl. Use this mixture to rub all over your pet and let it dries itself. Do this process 2- 3 times per week for 2 months.
- In addition, you can add raw apple cider vinegar to your pet’s food to enhance his or her immune system, which will help get rid of mange quickly. The amount is calculated by 5 grams for a pet up to 14 pounds (6.3 kg), 10 grams for a pet whose weight is between 15 to 34 pounds, and so on.
You should remember not to apply raw apple cider vinegar directly to your pet’s skin.
Honey
Honey has antibacterial and antifungal effects that it is used as a traditional antiseptic and help speed up the skin healing process quickly. It can also be used as a home remedy for mange.
How to apply
- Scrape the affected area, then put some honey directly on it.
- Let it be there for 2- 3 hours, and clean the skin with warm water. Allow your pet to shake itself and sun him or her until it totally dries.
- Do this process 2 times daily in a few weeks.
Apply vegetable oil
The adhesive property of vegetable oil can restrict the air supply for parasitic mites in order to kill them. It also can work as a natural softening agent that will help remove the scabs, enhance the skin healing process, and reduce discomfort. How to apply
- Scrape the affected area, then use a sponge to rub all over your pet with vegetable oil
- Allow it to dry itself for a few hours, and clean it with lukewarm water.
- Do this process 2 times per week in a few months to notice a change.
Above are the top 5 amazing natural home remedies for mange. No matter what way your choice is, follow up treatment should include skin scraping, isolating your pet to prevent the reinfection and spreading, and follow veterinarian’s orders.