by Noel Murphy
CITY HALL Hall advice for outdoor staff to rub dog faeces on itchy insect bites is a health risk, according to a Geelong doctor.
Barwon Medicare Local GP Dr Jane Opie said anyone putting excrement on bites would be flirting with bacteria, viruses, parasites and poisoning.
“If you were itchy with a bite you’ve already scratched, whatever you put on the surface needs to be safe,” Dr Opie said.
“Dog poo, because of its huge number of bacteria, is not really meant to be put inside ourselves. Even outside normal skin it might get absorbed; skin is a semi-permeable barrier, it’s not totally impermeable.
“With an itchy scratch, poo can get into the blood and be potentially lethal. Plus, there are other things it can contain – viruses, parasites – beyond the bacteria in dog poo.”
A City Hall memo to outdoor staff had advised them that dog faeces could ease itching from insect attacks.
“Smearing a small amount of dog faeces on an insect bite will relieve the itching and swelling,” said a leaflet headed ‘Safety & Health facts’.
City Hall has since withdrawn the advice.
