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Recognized fact: our four-legged friends love to kiss! Although this manifestation of devotion and love may seem funny and cute to dog owners, one should not forget that dog saliva can “give” us unpleasant diseases.
When dog saliva comes on the skin of a person, especially a healthy person, it is extremely unlikely that it will cause any problems, since the skin practically does not absorb saliva,” says dermatologist Sonia Batra. “However, the dog’s saliva and everything that can be in it can easily penetrate the human mucosa, whether it be the nose, mouth, eyes, or any wounds and scratches on the skin.”
Fortunately, infections from dog kisses are rare. “You are unlikely to get sick from this,” adds Dr. Batra. “People with suppressed immunity are at greater risk.”
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But do not forget that after the dog licks you, you must certainly wash your hands and the area that got saliva, with water and soap – reminds Dr. Batra: away from sin. In the worst plot development, you may encounter these unpleasant consequences.
You get a parasite
“Hookworms and roundworms are transmitted from dog to dog when they come in contact with infected stools or lick each other’s anal openings,” says Batra, and to say the least: we all witnessed this.
The saddest thing: dogs can transmit these parasites to humans during licking. Again, this rarely happens, but it happens! If you become infected with such parasites, you may notice a rash or itching on the skin, lose weight or appetite, start coughing and hissing, face stomach pain and diarrhea, fatigue and even heat.
Your stomach is upset
“Dogs like to poke their nose wherever they should, including waste products and contaminated water, where you can pick up all kinds of bacteria,” says Dr. Batra. “Some of these bacteria are zoonotic, that is, they can be transmitted from animal to person and cause disease.”
Some of the common bacteria transmitted by dogs can cause stomach upsets, diarrhea, fever, nausea, and vomiting. These bacterial infections include: lamblia, cryptosporidia, clostridia, E. coli, salmonella, pasturella, leptospira and campylobacter. It’s hardly worth the kiss from your Rex.
You will have a rash
“If the dog licked your face and the skin in this place turned red and sore within a few minutes, this is an indication that you are allergic to dogs,” says Dr. Batra. – Dog saliva contains the substance glycoprotein, which provokes a protective reaction in the body of some people. In large volumes, this substance is present in dandruff of dogs, but it is also present in saliva. ”
There are ointments and medicines against this scourge, but it is easier to prevent the disease than to cure it, so, perhaps, initially you should not allow the dog to your face.
