If your cat has ever had ear mites, you know it’s a dirty and uncomfortable condition that’s often difficult to treat. But because you live together in close quarters, your curious mind might be asking if humans can catch ear mites from cats.
Ear mites typically pass from animal to animal and not so much to humans. But there are still a few things that you should be aware of. In this article, we’ll discuss ear mites, how you can tell if your cat has them, and how to treat them. We also look at what happens if a human does get ear mites.
What Are the Signs of Ear Mites?
Ear mites (Otodectes cynotis) take up residence in an animal’s ear canal. They feed on skin oils and ear wax found in the ear, but they can be found almost anywhere on the animal’s body. They prefer the ears for the ear wax.
- Itchy ears, head, and neck
- Significant scratching at the ears and head
- Excessive shaking of the head
- What looks like coffee grounds or dirt in the ears
- Over-sensitive ears
- Ears are red and inflamed
- Cuts and scrapes around the ears (from the scratching)
- Reddish-brown or black crusty debris around the ears
If you’ve noticed some or all these signs and haven’t taken your cat to the vet, make an appointment. You can discuss the best way to treat your cat’s ear mites.
How Are Ear Mites Treated?
Once your cat has been diagnosed with ear mites, your vet will tell you that you’ll need to treat all other animals in your household in addition to your cat. Everything in your home will also need to be cleaned, particularly your pet’s bedding and anywhere else where they spend a great deal of time.
Before you begin the mite treatment, you must clean your cat’s ears with an ear cleaner designed specifically for pets. This will remove most of the ear mites before you treat them.
There are medications that help treat various parasites, such as fleas and ear mites, and others that just treat ear mites. The latter ear mite medication can be purchased without a prescription, but others will need a prescription from your vet.
Treatment involves placing drops in your cat’s ears and massaging them. It should be continued for about a week to a week and a half. You can also try natural remedies, such as apple cider vinegar, aloe vera, and organic honey, but discuss them with your vet first.
If left untreated, ear mites will make your cat tremendously uncomfortable, and they can lead to partial or total hearing loss.
When Do People Get Ear Mites?
It is rare for a person to get ear mites, but it can happen. Ear mites in humans can occasionally occur when a mite is looking for a host because it can’t survive for long without one. If your cat has ear mites and you’re sharing a bed or other furniture that your cat spends time on, it increases the chance of getting infected.
- Itchy ears
- Brown or black-colored ear wax
- Red and inflamed ears
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- A feeling of increased ear pressure
- Ears feel irritated
See your doctor immediately if you have more than one of these symptoms. Like cats, untreated ear mites in humans can lead to hearing loss. Ear mites do not go away without treatment.
How Are Ear Mites Treated in People?
Your doctor might recommend seeing an otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist). The doctor will swab your ear and check it with an otoscope, which can visually confirm ear mites.
The doctor will start by flushing your ear with saline to eradicate the excess ear wax and prescribe ear drops to relieve the inflammation and itching. They will also provide antiparasitic ear drops to kill the mites and their eggs.
Your doctor might additionally prescribe an antibiotic to prevent any secondary infections due to the ear mites.
How Can You Stop Ear Mites From Coming Back?
If your cat seems to have a recurring problem with ear mites, you should work with your vet on an effective treatment and preventive plan. This might include antiparasitic medication every month.
At the first sign of an ear mite infestation, take your cat immediately to the vet so you can get them treated as soon as possible. Become familiar with the signs of ear mites so you can react and deal with the situation sooner rather than later.
If you have other pets, you’ll probably need to have all of them treated so they don’t keep passing the ear mites back and forth to each other. Additionally, any pet with confirmed ear mites should be quarantined away from the other pets.
Be sure to sanitize and clean bedding and other items your cat has been in contact with. Wash everything in hot water. For yourself, avoid sharing your bed or sitting with your cat on any furniture until the ear mites have been eliminated.
Wrapping Up
If you’re concerned about your cat getting ear mites, other than familiarizing yourself with the typical signs, you should also routinely check your cat’s ears. If your cat does have ear mites, be aware of your own possible signs. Pressure in your ear, tinnitus, and itchy and irritated ears are all signs and should be looked at immediately. The chances of you getting ear mites from your cat are slim, but it’s still a good idea to keep your distance from your cat while they have ear mites.
- Related read: Can Humans Get Worms From Cats? What You Need To Know!
Featured Image Credit: YULIYA Shustik, Shutterstock
