I posted a similar post on r-s but thought it worthy of posting here as well.
The question was whether one can get demodex mites from their pets?

The demodex on pets that cause mange are species specific and not
demodex folliculorum or brevis, there is an interesting anecdotal
report from Nadia about demodex and pets with a lot of links at this url >

http://tinyurl.com/2zse37

T.J. Dunn, DVM, says, in discussing whether demodex mites can be transferred
from a pet to a human:

"...Human demodex cases do occur but transmission from the dog to a human
is quite rare. Nevertheless, human cases of demodex do happen where
transmission from a family pet to a human occurs....
The mites reside and feed in the hair follicle and oil glands of the skin. Also
called Mange, which is a general term used to describe any kind of mite
infestation,..."

The above article supplies photos of a woman with a dermal infestation of
demodex on her face and it looks very much like rosacea. Check it out >

http://www.thepetcenter.com/exa/dem.html

Another report says:

"Butler, a veterinary medical entomologist who has studied mites on dogs, said
people probably react to large numbers of mites in the same way as our canine
friends.

"Based on my experience with dogs, particularly young animals whose hormone
and immune systems are not fully developed, you probably get similar results on
people," he said. "Populations can explode on dogs, causing mange-like symptoms.

"The link between mites and hair loss and other skin conditions is not
conclusive, but we do know it's a major problem for dogs," Butler said.
"If you have high levels of hormones, you're going to have high levels of
mite reproduction because these anthropods obtain their steroids from the host."

Butler said Demodex poses the biggest threat to people under stress or those
with cancer or other conditions such as HIV/AIDS that suppress the immune
system. Mite colonies can spread unchecked because patients cannot produce the
antibodies needed to control the parasites." source >

http://pestalert.ifas.ufl.edu/acne.htm

Dr. Plewig says that "demodex mites heavily colonize pre-existing rosacea and
thus lead to demodectic rosacea ( rosaceiform dermatosis)."
source > http://members.irosacea.org/index.php?showtopic=121

If this is how it works, I would wonder if it would be wise for a rosacean to
cuddle up to a pet with any type of demodex mites? I know what I would do,
but I also know how some rosaceans feel about their pets. Some feel that
being close to their pet is worth even the chance of getting a demodex
infection that turns in to Demodectic Rosacea. See this url >

http://www.rosaceans.com/html/demodex.html

Another report in 2001 says, "It seems likely that Demodex infestation does not
manifest unless local or systemic immune function is altered, leading to the
proliferation of the organism and subsequent disease."
source > http://tinyurl.com/2fnxq6

One clinical report says that "Oral metronidazole seems to work in the
management
of this chronic mite infestation" source > http://tinyurl.com/2hovge

And last but not least, Ivermectin is usually the drug of choice along with
topical Permethrin and oral metronidazole if you are treated by a physician.

However, the ZZ cream will work fine to >

http://www.rosaceans.com/html/z2.html

Brady
group owner