Can lice and mites go to humans?

[murtle]

I always thought that the lice or mites would stay on the guinea pig, bıt I reda one web site where it said they would be transerfered to the handler, is that true?

[Black Jack]

Yeah lots of different mites etc can get on humans and cause trouble! Beware!

[starla]

I didn't think they could actually - Humans can't get lice, not sure about mites/mange mites though. Humans can pick up guinea pig fungal infections though, ie ringworm

[murtle]

I had a look on the internet and found a powder you can but from gorgeous guineas, it's to keep away mites and lice, you sprinkle on the pig and around the cage-sounds very good, anybody tried it?

SO how do guineas get ringworm then??

[maryh]

Humans cannot get lice or mites from gps.The mites are species specific and die when away from the host.The type of lice the gps get are different to the ones that invade human hair.

Ringworm can be passed to humans from gps.This is the only form of fungal infection that can be passed from one species to another.

Ringworm is caused by airborne fungal spores or by direct contact of a n infected animal.Ringworm is not actually so common in gps as the other types of fungal infection.

Sprinkling powder around is not helpful.The best way to clean the beds,cages etc of a gp with ringworm is to wash with undiluted white vinigar and leave to dry in direct sunshine.

powder is not going to keep mites away as they are already on the gps.All gps have mites but in such a small number as not to be a nuisance.If the gp is stressed or poorly,the mites proliferate.Some gps seem to be more prone to them anyway.Usually the more nervous ones.