White crust on Coco's face

[BarbaraCoco]

Hey everyone! I am a bit worried about one of my guinea pigs, Coco. He's 2 years old and I love him so dearly. About a week ago I noticed what I thought to be a little bump on his nose. I looked at it closely and could barely see anything, so I just assumed it was a very small injury that he got from doing whatever he does with his buddy Jonny. I just assumed it would heal up on it's own in a few days and his nose would go back to normal soon but it still hasn't! In fact I took a closer look and it seems to have gotten worse as I can actually see what is causing the "bump" now. It's a little white crust on his skin, and all the hairs there are clumping together. It's definitely gotten a little bigger since last week and I am worried. I wish I could provide a better picture, but he's a very busy boy and won't sit still. He has had a history of mites before I got him, but that was already taken care of when I brought him home one and a half years ago and I don't know if mites can return just like that, or how they get them in the first place. I'm definitely calling the vet tomorrow morning and taking him for a visit very very soon, but I just wanna know if any of you have any thoughts on this.

 

[VickiA]

Hi please have him checked for ringworm. It is transmissible to humans, so please have a good read of this guide. You will need to see a vet for formal diagnosis and treatment, over the counter treatments don’t work well for ringworm.
Ringworm: Hygiene And Pictures

 

[Piggies&buns]

Mites live on guinea pigs all the time but their immune system often keeps them in check but sometimes it doesn’t and they become a problem.
However, we can’t diagnose anything as we aren’t vets so you are doing the right thing by calling a vet tomorrow. It could potentially be ringworm in this instance

 

[BarbaraCoco]

Hi please have him checked for ringworm. It is transmissible to humans, so please have a good read of this guide. You will need to see a vet for formal diagnosis and treatment, over the counter treatments don’t work well for ringworm.
Ringworm: Hygiene And Pictures

Thank you for the information! I do hope it's nothing as serious as ringworm, but I guess I'll just have to wait until the vet has had a proper look at him, hopefully tomorrow. And in the meantime I'll take extra care of my hygiene. Thank you so much for replying, I really appreciate it!

 

[BarbaraCoco]

Mites live on guinea pigs all the time but their immune system often keeps them in check but sometimes it doesn’t and they become a problem.
However, we can’t diagnose anything as we aren’t vets so you are doing the right thing by calling a vet tomorrow. It could potentially be ringworm in this instance

Thanks! I didnt know that about mites. My friend says I'm overreacting and I really hope thats the case! But really only a proper diagnosis from the vet can ease my mind. Thank you for your quick reply! Ringworm does sound quite serious.

 

[Piggies&buns]

It can be a labour to deal with - personal hygiene, thorough cage and equipment cleaning etc on top of treatment but getting on top of it early will help.