People can acquire Cheyletiella from dogs or cats as accidental hosts. Sleeping with an infested pet is probably a good means of encouraging zoonotic transmission. There is no evidence that the parasite can be transmitted person-to-person.  Sometimes lesions and symptoms may be present in the owner but not in the pet.

Among the primary signs in people are an intense pruritus and grouped erythematous macules. These develop a central papule which becomes vesicular, then pustular, then bursts to produce a yellow crust. The lesions are most often on the arms and trunk.

Additional information about Cheyletiella species is available under Dogs .