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Some patients with unexplained itchy bumps may be infested with miters from dogs or cats. One of the best articles on the subject appeared in the British Medical Journal in 1979. The Cheyletiella mite can infest dogs, cats, rabbits and other mammals.
Cheyletiella Mite
Prurigo and pets: the benefit from vets.
M Kieffer, S Kristensen, and T E Hallas
Br Med J. 1979 June 9; 1(6177): 1539–1540.
Scabies: A Parasite for our Time by Ian Burgess (Cambridge, U.K.) is a helpful presentation and a valuable educational tool.
One authority I found felt that the mite can infest the head and neck. If so, this may explain treatment failures. It really makes no sense that the mite can not be on the head and neck - it was probably an "urban legend."
"I have been unable to find the origin of this myth. Mites do occur on the face and neck in humans, just like in other mammals. I suspect the myth has arisen due to therapeutic inadequacies. Perhaps the story went like this: the only therapies available in the early days (e.g., benzyl benzoate) was very irritant on the face, so the original prescribers said don't use it on the face because it is too irritant. When people asked others "why not treat the head?", I suspect they then said because mites don't occur there, rather than admit they were prescribing inadequate treatment. One of the causes of treatment failure is not treating the whole epidermis, and this definitely includes the head, the finger nails, the external genitals and the natal cleft. Now less irritant treatments are available, there is no excuse not to treat scabies adequately."
The elderly can spend a lot of time in bed or sitting in a recliner. This can contribute to the development of pressure sores. Fecal or urinary incontinence can accelerate this process as well as other factors.
Dr. Robert Norman is a dermatologist in Tampa, Florida. He has a special interest in geriatric dermatology. Attached are some forms that will help to evaluate a patient's risk of dseveloping pressures ulcers (bed sores)
Dr. Norman's intake form: Download Wound care NORMAN SCALE aug 07
For more detailed directions see: Soak and Smear.