The mice I came in contact with developed red spots on the skin like me. Did I infect them?

Question

Hi doctor,

Before few months, I was diagnosed with atypical dermatitis. I had red spots on and off regularly. They were not itchy except the ones present on my scalp and forefront. Showering exacerbated the symptoms for about 30 minutes. But this happens only with water. But there was no reaction to shampoo and soap. I took oral antifungals under the guidance of my doctor but nothing changed. I worked in preclinial oncology. I often worked with mice and realized that some of the mice came in contact with my developing red spots. On the mice, these spots looked deep with a missing outer layer. The veterinary doctor told me that they are not in pain. They do not seem to spread disease. I am using NMRI nude mice lacking T-lymphocytes. I think that atypical dermatitis is not contagious. Can my diagnosis be wrong?

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

According to your description, you seem to have hives or urticaria. It is a slightly red or white lesion occuring on the skin and disappears after a few minutes or hours. This often occurs due to allergies to some internal or external agent. It can also occur due to water in the case of aquagenic urticaria. You need to upload a photo to provide you a better diagnosis. Regarding the lesion in mice, you say that the outer layer of skin is missing and so it appears like a type of skin necrosis and in your case, there is no such lesion. Please send a photo. If it is due to water, be cautious while touching water and see whether it gets aggravated after touching the water. You can take tablet Fexofenadine 120 mg once daily for a week and you can take it on alternate days. Do oiling of skin and do not use harsh soaps and avoid having any irritant application on your skin.

The mice I came in contact with developed red spots on the skin like me. Did I infect them?

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