piggy issue

Question
hi there im having trouble with giunea pig dandruff, its worse than it use to be if i touch round that area or just lok to see how hes going if its healing but whenever i do he gets anoyyed a couple of times now he has bitten me but he has also drawn blood thinking that hes biting himself. he does still popcorn and hes still his perky old self but if i touch that area it like a completley different piggy. his dandruff is starting to fall out vary slowly but only in very very small patches not much to worry but its just that it hasnt gone away some one has recomened selsun blue but once i get it how often do i bath him in a month i know they are clean animals but is there ant special treatment? please help! its cuased cracks in skin and he wont stop trying to cure it himself ! please i would love to hear from you !

Answer
Hi Victoria,
Wow, it sounds like your guinea pig is in a lot of pain, and he definitely seems to have a fungal infection. I wasn't the expert who recommended using selsun blue, here is what I recommend. Buy a medicated shampoo, called Malaseb, it's active ingredients are Chlorhexadine Gluconate(2%) and Miconazole Nitrate(2%). Bathe your guinea pig once a week for four weeks in the Malaseb, just try not to get it in the guinea pig's eyes and ears. You should also buy an ointment called Miconazole Cream, and rub the cream on the visable spots of hair loss and dandruff on your guinea pig, twice a day.
If you're interested in more information on guinea pig fungal infections you can go to http://www.guinealynx.info/fungus.html .
Remember that fungal infections are contagious, so if you have any other guinea pigs you'll need to treat them with the same shampoos and ointments you'll treat this guinea pig with.
A vet trip would also be very helpful for your guinea pig, if it's possible.
Feel free to contact me if you have any other questions.
                                                         A.Jones