Ear mites (Otodectes cynotis) are common in dogs and cats.
Ear mites areparasites, which means they live on and feed off a host.
An infestation in the ear is known medically asotoacariasis.
Ignatius Harly Putranto / Getty Images
While extremely common in household pets, these ear bugs are rare in humans.
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What Do Ear Mites Look Like?
Otodectes cynotisis the most common species of ear mites.
They are tiny, about the size of a pinhead,but they are visible to the naked eye.
However, considering they live inside your ears, it’s often difficult to see them yourself.
Untreated, it can lead to potential hearing problems.
In humans, diagnosis is made similarly.
They will use an otoscope to examine your ear and observe symptoms of ear mites.
In both pets and humans, treatment is necessary.
As with pets, ear mite treatment consists of ear cleaning and medication to kill the mites.
Ear mites usually only survive for a few days outside of a host.
However, researchers have found that mites survive as long as 12 days in the right conditions.
But taking precautions is still a good idea if you and your pets have them.
Preventing and treating pets' ear mites early is the best way to avoid contracting them yourself.
Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.Ear mites: Tiny critters that can pose a major threat.
2018;29(2):100-e39.
doi:10.1111/vde.12521
American Veterinary Medical Association.External parasites.
2020;44(2):481-485. doi:10.1007/s12639-020-01215-7
