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Skin & Hair Concerns
Question #20991
45 days ago
64

pet me infection - #20991

Arush

I am really stressed about this pet me infection I think I might have. A few weeks ago, I went to a friend's house and their cat was super affectionate, like jumping on me and rubbing against my legs, you know? I didn’t think much of it at the time but then, a few days later, I noticed this weird rash on my arm. It’s kinda red and bumpy, and sometimes it itches like crazy. I didn’t connect it to the cat at first until I read something about pet me infections online. I went to the doctor, and they thought it was just some allergic reaction or maybe a minor infection, but they didn’t do any tests. The thing is, the rash has not gotten better, and now I’m worried it might actually be a pet me infection, whatever that entails. I tried some over-the-counter cream but it didn’t seem to help. Is there a chance this could get worse or turn into something serious? I mean, the whole idea of a pet me infection is so unsettling, and I’m not sure if I should just wait it out or push for more tests. Has anyone else dealt with this? What did you do? Any advice would be super helpful!

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Doctors' responses

It sounds like you might be concerned about a zoonotic infection, which is an infection transmitted from animals to humans. While “pet me infection” isn’t a recognized medical term, it’s possible you’re referring to something like cat scratch disease, ringworm, or an allergic reaction. Cat scratch disease, caused by Bartonella henselae, typically comes with a history of a scratch or bite, swollen lymph nodes, fever, or fatigue. Ringworm, in contrast, might cause a red, circular, and itchy rash. Given your description of a rash that’s red and bumpy, it’s crucial to consider both dermatological and infectious causes. If the rash hasn’t improved with topical treatments and you’re concerned about its persistence, there’s a possibility of it being an infection like ringworm. In that case, a fungal infection might need antifungal creams or even oral medication if severe.

It’s quite reasonable to consider follow-up with your healthcare provider. When you do, mention the exposure to the cat and get your rash thoroughly examined. If there’s persistent redness, spreading, or if it worsens, testing might include a skin scraping or culture to identify fungal elements, or blood work if there’s a suspicion of cat scratch disease. Without alarming you, it’s important to know that most rashes of this type don’t escalate into severe systemic issues if managed appropriately with medical input. Meanwhile, try to avoid scratching the rash to prevent possible secondary bacterial infection. And while monitoring, be mindful of any additional symptoms like fever, fatigue, or spreading rash, as these could indicate the need for more immediate intervention. Seeking guidance from a dermatologist could also be beneficial if your symptoms persist or worsen despite initial treatments. Overall, it’s understandable to have concerns, but with targeted management, recovery from most such conditions is likely to be straightforward.

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