Humans can get ear mites from cats, but it’s very rare. It’s not so difficult for ear mites to spread to other animals, such as cats or dogs, so they can also infect humans. But that requires particular conditions for ear mites, so you should usually be safe from them.
Ear mites, although not typical, are not also a rare instance for felines. If your cat is a playful one, it may get ear mites from constant playing.
Thus, if your pet shakes her head more often than the ordinary, you should check not only her ear but also yours.
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What are the symptoms of ear mites in humans?
Like animals, some symptoms can appear to humans. These signs indicate if ear mites have infected us.
It’s essential to know these symptoms to get the ear mite infection under control. Further, it will help avoid spreading to other pets and family members.
Like animals, ear mite infections also feel uncomfortable for humans.
Since ear mites can jump from animals to other animals, it can also happen to us.
If you get infected by such, you may experience the following symptoms:
- Itchiness (in your ears and on the nearby parts)
- Redness (surrounding your ear)
- Dark-colored Ear Wax
- Irritation (also in the ear)
The above list may vary depending on person to person. Thus, if you get infected, you may feel a couple of those or lesser.
For some people, suffering from an ear mite infection may induce tinnitus.
Tinnitus is a condition often characterized by a ringing, buzzing, or humming sensation.
Other symptoms involve a sense of pressure in their ears. This infection makes the infected suffer from extreme pain in the ear.
Now, while a lot of infected people can’t tolerate it, some can. As a result, they try to ignore and leave it.
Here’s what will happen if ear mites go untreated.
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What happens if ear mites go untreated?
Leaving ear mites unattended can lead to severe damages. Whether it is in animals or humans, the effects of an untreated ear mite can lead to lethal consequences.
Since ear mite infections cause severe itchiness, leaving it untreated can cause:
- Bacterial Infections (especially in the ears)
- Swelling of the ear canal
- Partial or total deafness
With our cats, the ear mites can even travel to other parts of the body. If left untreated, it may cause further damage, not only to the ears but also to other parts of the body.
Once you start feeling symptoms or notice it on your pets, try to consult a doctor or a vet to aid it immediately.
How do you get rid of ear mites in humans?
Diagnosing an ear mite requires the knowledge of an expert. Thus, you should make an appointment with a doctor for your family and a vet for your pets.
Upon consultation, they will likely refer you to an ear specialist. For vets, they’ll probably test and examine your pet themselves.
Ear mites feed on skin oils and ear wax. Thus, treatment usually begins with flushing out the ear canal with a saline solution.
This solution is designed to remove any wax buildup, and it can be used to both pets and humans.
Some people use acetic acid in their ears. It offers a good result since it’s a component that stops the growth of fungi and bacteria.
Treating ear mite infection involves killing the mites and their eggs. Thus, you might get an antiparasitic ear drop prescription from your doctor.
Ear mite infections can also invite other kinds of illness. In this case, your doctor may prescribe some antibiotics.
Now, you may be wondering how your pet gets an ear mite and how they can transfer it to you.
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How does an indoor cat get ear mites?
Felines are playful animals by nature. As a result, they tend to interact with myriads of the environment and other animals.
Even if your cat stays most of the time indoors, an ear mite infection can happen nonetheless.
Felines can catch ear mites from the environment or another animal.
If your pet plays with another animal exposed outside, it can get ear mites.
Ear mites can spread through direct contact. At the same time, it could also spread through another animal’s environment.
The best way to prevent ear mites is by constant grooming of your pet.
If your kitty is an indoor pet without interaction with other animals, chances are it is safe from ear mites.
However, if your pet plays outside, you should often check her to avoid possible infection.
Preventing ear mites on cats also prevents possible ear mite infection on you and your family.
How do you get rid of ear mites in cats at home?
If your cat suffers from ear mites, there are home remedies you can do to aid it.
First things first, you need to know if your cat has an ear mite infection.
If your cat shakes its head after a petting session and while eating, it’s okay. However, if your cat shakes its head more than a regular basis, your cat may be suffering from ear mites.
Once you already knew it’s an ear mite infection, here are some home remedies you can use:
Use apple cider vinegar
Mix apple cider vinegar with water with a 1:1 ratio. Spray it in your cat’s ears once a day for ten days.
Use organic honey
Massage organic honey in your pet’s ears for 30 minutes. It’s essential to do it with organic since the processed ones won’t take any effect.
Use garlic with olive oil
Chopped garlic soaked in olive oil should help by applying it to a cat’s ears. Just be careful not to let your cat taste it since garlic is toxic to cats.
Use vaseline
Rubbing a vaseline once a day in the ears helps treat and prevent ear mite infections.
Use aloe vera
Aloe Vera neutralizes mites. Applying aloe vera is an effective way to prevent mites from returning.
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Summary
Ear mite infections aren’t just for cats. Thus, leaving them unattended with ear mites may also affect us.
Indeed, humans can get ear mites from cats. For this reason, you should always keep your pet safe and protected from all kinds of infections.
As always, prevention is better than cure. Although there are home remedies, it will save you from the effort if you take care of your cat all the time.
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Image credits – Photos by Anton Darius and Erik-Jan Leusink on Unsplash
