Head scab

A head scab is a parasitosis caused by mites in animals with a limited localization on the head. The head mange occurs in domestic horses , domestic cattle , domestic goats , domestic sheep , domestic dogs , domestic cats and domestic rabbits . If the localization is limited to the ear, one speaks of an ear mange .

The most common triggers are the species-specific subspecies of the scabies mite ( Sarcoptes scabiei ), with a tendency to spread to the whole body. In cats it is mainly Notoedres cati (→ head scabies of the cat ), in cattle Psoroptes bovis .

The head scab is characterized by severe itching and severe skin changes with coatings, crusts, skin thickening ( hyperkeratosis , lichenification ) and hair loss . The treatment is carried out with acaricidally active medicinal substances, whereby the provisions of Regulation (EC) No. 470/2009 on maximum residue levels of pharmacologically active substances in food of animal origin must be observed for food-producing animals .