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Walking Dandruff Remedies

Updated: 02/03/2010

First of all, what in the world is “walking dandruff?”' Is that the same thing as the regular dandruff that we as humans deal with?  Well, “walking dandruff” is not the same thing that humans get.  Although it presents similar symptoms, the cause is entirely a different one.

Walking dandruff is usually most evident along the back and flanks of the animal and just like our dandruff, will appear dry and flaky, but the animal may or may not scratch the affected area.  The reason it is referred to as walking dandruff is because the condition is actually caused by a Cheyletiella mite.  Although you would not be able to see the mite with the naked eye, it is possible that when you look at the affected areas of the animal’s skin, the dandruff may appear to be moving.  Mites moving around under the scales will cause the dandruff to move.

Walking dandruff is contracted by those animals who come into contact with other affected animals.  Multiple pet homes should be careful when handling the affected animal and should closely examine other pets in the home, including dogs, cats and rabbits to determine whether or not they too have the same mite infestation.  Sensible hygiene practices should be put into place and infected animals separated from those unaffected ones to prevent further spread of the problem.

In order to kill the parasites and rid your pet of the problem, administer an oral homeopathic treatment of Symphytum and Helleborus.

DISCLAIMER
* Our readers offer information and opinions on Earth Clinic, not as a substitute for professional veterinary prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your veterinarian before taking any home remedies or supplements or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your Veterinarian can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your pet's unique needs or diagnose your pet's particular medical history.

ALOE AND OATMEAL SHAMPOO

1 YEA

[YEA]  01/26/2008: Kathy from Polk City, FL writes: "vet took a scrapping and called them a mite- others call it walking dandruff. I washed them first in a aloe/oatmeal shampoo then a sulfursolution dip. Must repeat this every 5-7 days. Your page says use symphytum or helleborus but where do I find a descripyion of what they are and where to buy them. I used 4 oz of lymdyp to 1 gal of water for the dip. Pups are 2 mo old and I see no mites on my other dogs and these pups are never outside or near other dogs"

EC: Pharmacies that specialize in homeopathic remedies will carry those 2 remedies.. otherwise you might be able to find them online.' Whole Foods might have them too.

COCONUT OIL, COLLOIDAL SILVER

1 YEA

[YEA]  12/30/2009: Janet from Louisville, Co Usa writes: "My dog had an infestation of cheyletiella mites. I also ended up with them, and my life was sheer hell for several months. I went to three different doctors, who at best only offered me creams to help with the itching. The CDC says that they can't do a life cycle on humans, and I beg to differ with them on that score. I have a lot of hair breakage around my hairline to prove that they did indeed lay eggs on me.

I did a great deal of research and I tried just about every remedy I could find on the internet. Some helped, but nothing seemed to entirely rid me of these things. I had been prescribed ivermectin and the doctors couldn't guarantee it would work and I was reluctant to take it, but at the same time desperate. There was one thing yet that I had read worked for someone with scabies that I hadn't tried before I took the ivermectin. This person had cured her scabies with colloidal silver.

I mixed 2 ozs. of virgin coconut oil with 2 ml of 10ppm colloidal silver. The coconut oil needs to be melted and melts at a very low temperature. I put the coconut oil and colloidal silver in a plastic bottle made for hair dyes and shook it to make sure it was mixed well and applied it directly on my skin from head to toe. Within two hours I could tell that the mites had died. One WARNING - DO NOT REWARM THIS MIXTURE IN A MICROWAVE!!!

My daughter-in-law is getting her degree in environmental science and she told me the reason that the colloidal silver worked is that small particles of metal penetrate through the shell of the mite. Once the shell is penetrated the mites dry up and die.

Coconut oil is very close to your own natural oil (sebum) and therefore is absorbed by your skin. So as it penetrates your skin it will reach anything that burrows underneath your skin carrying with it the silver. The beauty of coconut oil with the Cheyletiella mite is that it lives on sebum and dead skin and I assume it ends up eating the coconut oil and silver particles. Any new bites I've had, they die almost immediately.

Both the coconut oil and colloidal silver have antimicrobial benefits which kills any infection the mites carry and aids in healing. The colloidal silver also stops the necrosis (the eating away of skin by insect bites). And as a side benefit it also got rid of athletes foot and a couple of warts that I had.

It's also safe for pets and only one application cleared the dog as well. I have been using it once a day to kill anything left in the environment that may find it's way on me. I have found that washing clothes and the dogs bedding in hot water and borax helped a great deal. I use a floor steam cleaner on my mattress and pillows, the carpet etc. Vacume often!!! In cold weather, spend a little extra for better air filters on your heating system as these things are also air bound and jump.

I hope this helps anyone who is enduring the same nightmare as I have."

02/03/2010: Terrie from Wooster, Ohio replies: "Hello,

I am having such a time with Cheyletiella mites. Does your coconut oil and colloidal silver still working for you? I do not want to put our dog to sleep. Very tired of dealing with this nearly a year now.

thanks,
Terrie"

HEAD AND SHOULDERS SHAMPOO

1 YEA

[YEA]  04/01/2009: Lois from NYC, NY writes: "dandruff on dogs: i use head and shoulders to shampoo my dogs it stops skin flakes, and they dont shed as much. hope this is a solution"

05/31/2009: Country Woman from Jackson, NY replies: "Hi, It was brought to my attention, that most cannines have a problem with dander. I have been giving my 2 labs ( which are noted for this ) Olive Oil with their food. The puppy, I give 1 teaspoon a day, in her food. The adult Lab, I give 1 Teaspoon 2x a day. Is helping a lot and coat is very shiny. Hope this helps!"

HELLEBORUS

1 QUESTION

[QUESTION]  04/24/2009: Regina from Northport, NY writes: "My dog has walking dandruff mites and I would like to try the homeopathic remedy that you recommend, which is Helleborus. However, when I went to purchase Helleborus I found out that there are 3 different Helleborus remedies -- Helleborus Niger, Helleborus Foetidus and Helleborus Viridis. Do you know which one I should use? Also, what potency would you recommend for a small dog?

Also, would I give the Helleborus remedy along with Symphytum remedy (as mentioned on your website) or would I just give one or the other?

Thank you for your time. I love your website."

12/23/2009: Weegie from Sierra Vista, Az replies: "I need more info on walking dandruff...I have toy dogs and afraid that its in my kennel..I dont want to use anything except natural ingredients..can you give me uses on 3lb to 6lb dogs???"

MULTIPLE REMEDIES

1 NAY

[NAY]  04/02/2009: Viorel from Vancouver, B.C writes: "Our Airedale Terrier, Bella has dandruff. We tried all we know, no results. She eat home made food: game meat mixed with vegies, rice 2-3 egs on it, boiled. After meal she get 100ml.milk, fruits, carots. Every second day, some salmon meat mixed with home made food. i understod it may be related,by food?!... God know.. we love her like i can not tell. Please,any advice will be greatly apreciated.

Viorel
Vancouver B.C Canada"

04/05/2009: Rose from Pensacola, FL replies: "Coconut oil is safe and has many health benefits. Do a search on it and you'll see.

These are the benefits of Coconut oil for your pet!

Fed to pets it may have multiple benefits including:

Improves digestion and nutrient absorption
Helps control body and breath odor
Aids in elimination of hairballs and coughing
Aids healing of digestive disorders like inflammatory bowel syndrome and colitis
Contains powerful antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal agents that prevent infection and disease
Prevents and treats yeast and fungal infections, including candida
Promotes normal thyroid function
Helps prevent or control diabetes
Aids in arthritis relief
Reduces allergic reactions
Improves skin health and hair condition
Disinfects cuts and promotes wound healing
As an antioxidant, it is 50 times more potent than Vitamin E, 15 times more potent than carrots, and 300 times more potent than tomatoes.
Most of coconut oil's health benefits come from medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), also known as medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). According to former University of Maryland biochemist and dietary fats researcher Mary Enig, PhD, %uFFFDThe lauric acid in coconut oil is used by the body to make the same disease-fighting fatty acid derivative monolaurin that babies make from the lauric acid they get from their mothers' milk. The monoglyceride monolaurin is the substance that keeps infants from getting viral, bacterial, or protozoal infections.%uFFFD

Coconut oil's capric and caprylic acid have similar properties and are best known for their antifungal effects. Like lauric acid, capric acid helps balance insulin levels.

In addition to protecting the body against infection, medium-chain fatty acids are efficiently metabolized to provide an immediate source of fuel and energy, enhancing athletic performance and aiding weight loss."

In addition to Wellie's intake; I personally use it in our family's smoothies (to the non-furry children) as well, a few dabs under my eyes at night-time and on my "gardening" feet during the summer and on dry hands during the winter."

TED'S REMEDIES

1 YEA

06/03/2009: Regina from Northport, NY writes: "Ted's Mange Remedy cured my dog of Walking Dandruff mites. Ted's remedy is 1 part hydrogen peroxide + 2 parts water + 3 heaping tablespoons of borax (per 16 oz. of hydrogen peroxide).

I wanted to make a large batch of this solution so that I could place it in a large bucket and have my small dog sit in it and be at least half covered by it. So, I used the following proportions: 1 gallon hydrogen peroxide (1 part/128 oz) + 2 gallons hot water (2 parts) + 5 cups of Borax (in the form of 20 Mule Team Borax found in the laundry section of the supermarket). Note that I decided to double Ted's recommendation for the Borax. I mixed the ingredients until all the Borax dissolved, then I placed my dog in the solution for 30 minutes. While he was sitting in it I scooped the solution over his body.

I break from Ted's mange protocol here - he says that you should let your dog air dry after his bath so that the solution has more time to be in contact with the skin and therefore be more effective. In my case, I reasoned that since my dog was submerged in the solution for 30 minutes it was even more effective than just allowing him to air dry - so I dryed him after his baths so he wouldn't get cold.

My dog got one hydrogen peroxide bath per week for 4 weeks. In addition, he got another "regular" bath with shampoo (which I gave to him a few days later) per week for the same 4 week period. I did that mostly for hygenic reasons because he was losing so many dandruff scales and dead skin and I wanted to help the process along. By the second hydrogen peroxide bath his itching stopped. My dog is now cured of Walking Dandruff. He no longer itches and his skin is clear and healthy again.

Additional things to do/remember: Before you give your dog the hydrogen peroxide bath, you need to bathe him completely with regular shampoo. Also, you need to be diligent in washing their bedding and blankets every time you give them a bath -- just in case there are dandruff mites hanging out in their bedding."

09/23/2009: Regina from Northport, Ny replies: "I wanted to update my previous post and let readers know that, unfortunately, Ted's remedy of hydrogen peroxide and borax did not work on my dog's walking dandruff. At first I thought it did but a few weeks after placing my post about my success with the remedy, the familiar scabs and flakes started to reappear. As of today (9/23/09) I am still trying to get rid of it. If I am successful in ridding him of this mite, I will repost to let the readers know."

[YEA]  01/18/2010: Regina from Northport, Ny replies: "Re my earlier post of 9/23/09 re the walking dandruff mites. I brought my dog back to the vet soon after that post because I wanted to know for sure if he still had the walking dandruff because he still had scales and crusts on his back. The vet did several skin scraping from different areas on his body and examined them under the microscope and told me that he DOES NOT have them any longer. Note: this same vet had actually diagnosed him with the mites a few months earlier. At the time of the initial diagnosis, he could see the scales moving on his back and he did the skin scrapings where he could actually see the mite under the microscope.

So apparently, Ted's remedy of borax and hydrogen peroxide DID WORK!! Note I never gave my dog any medication at all except for the hydrogen peroxide baths. I mentioned to the vet that I used the above remedy and he said he was not surprised that they are gone because the combination of the borax and the hydrogen peroxide would kill any parasite. Note: I submerged my dog up to his shoulder blades in the solution for at least 15 or 20 minutes for each bath and I doubled Ted's remedy.

FYI, today, 1/18/10 I brought my dog to a specialist (dermatologist) to try to find out why my dog still has some scabs and scales on his skin. I found out he has a bacterial/staph infection of the skin, but she reconfirmed what my regular vet told me - which is that he has NO mites (she tested for them).

So, as I said earlier, Ted's remedy worked."

 

 

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