2 Uncomfortable Skin Rashes We Can Get from Dogs and Cats

Dogs and cats are so cuddly, you can't help wrapping your arms around them in a big hug. Many owners allow their furry child in bed with them; a group I'm part of. Snuggling with your pet, whether it's in bed, outside playing a game of catch or in the evening as you watch TV, is good for them and us. But, we can pick up some nasty and uncomfortable skin rashes from interacting with them. It's always a good idea to be aware of some unpleasant things our dog or cat can give us along with their loving kisses and purrs.

An uncomfortable skin rash from Ringworm that's contagious:

Most dog and cat owners know ringworm is not actually a worm at all. It's a fungus that's highly contagious to other pets in the home and to us. This is a skin rash we can get from dogs and cats who sleep with us in our beds. The spores are usually shed off in the pet's bedding, so owners who snuggle with their pet at night should be on guard for ringworm. It's easily treated with medication that kills the fungus. Cats are more apt to get ringworm, but dogs can be infected as well and regardless of whether it's a cat or dog, they can pass it on to us. Besides dogs and cats, we can pick up ringworm from horses, goats, cows, guinea pigs and pigs either from direct contact or by touching things the pet or animal infected with the fungus touched.

Symptoms to watch out for:

On the head, ringworm will start out as a small pimple that gets bigger. Scaly patches, will become bald as the hair around the patch becomes infected and breaks off. You might notice flaky areas that are yellowish in color.

On the body, ringworm will produce a skin rash that may or may not be itchy. It leaves a flat, round patch on the skin. Ringworm is most commonly found in the groin area, but it can be anywhere on the body except on the head or feet. A ring will appear in the middle of the rash as it gets bigger and there can be more than one patch with one or more overlapping another one.

Ringworm between the toes is more commonly known as athlete's foot and is a skin rash that leaves those affected with burning, itchy, red and cracked skin between the toes. This rash is contagious and easily picked up in locker rooms, swimming pools and showers. It can also affect the nails making them thicker, discolored and easily broken.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever:

A skin rash from Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is more than just uncomfortable for us. RMSF is a life threatening condition that can kill a pet in a matter of hours if not properly treated. It's a serious blood infection that requires immediate attention of a vet. A dog or cat can be infected by the American dog tick, wood tick and the lone-star tick if they are carrying the disease. It's more common in the southeastern part of the country, but it can be found anywhere around the country in wooded and grassy areas during the spring and summer months. It can be spread to us when we remove ticks from our pet and get fluids from the tick on our hands, giving us a really nasty skin rash that itches. Always remove a tick wearing gloves to help prevent the chance of picking up a rash that can develop into a serious and life threatening condition. We can also become infected if bitten by a tick carrying this disease. Symptoms can begin to show up 3 to 12 days after contact with a tick.

Symptoms to watch out for:

A fever that comes on suddenly and may last for weeks

Deep muscle pain and chills

Lack of appetite

Severe headache, nausea, vomiting and feeling tired

A red spotted skin rash that usually starts on the legs or arms, soles of the feet or palms of the hands before it spreads to the rest of the body

Some people never get a skin rash, and some can develop other symptoms as the condition continues to progress that may include, diarrhea, abdominal pain or joint pain. Hospitalization may be required for someone who has contracted Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and antibiotics will need to be taken. It can be fatal if left untreated.

No skin rash is fun to deal with on pets or on ourselves. Anytime you notice a rash anywhere on your body or on your pet's, it's always best to seek medical attention as soon as possible to help prevent a more serious outcome.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Medpedia

Melissa Conrad Stoppler, MD, Catching Ringworm From Pets, MedicineNet.com