Published on Nov 02, 2016 and last reviewed on Sep 07, 2018 - 2 min read
Abstract
This article discusses the signs, symptoms and management of scabies.
Scabies is the most common mite infestation in human beings.
The itch mite is Sarcoptes scabiei var hominis. It has an oval shaped body with four pairs of short legs. The female mite is larger than the male. In a usual patient of scabies, average number of mites is 10 to 12. However, in crusted scabies, it can be up to two million.
Transmission is facilitated by overcrowding and poor hygiene. It also spreads by close physical contact including sex. As the mite does not survive for more than two days away from a moist environment, transmission through clothing is unlikely.
Scabies should be suspected in case of,
Diagnosis is confirmed by the demonstration of the mite, its eggs or fecal pellets.
To know more about scabies and its treatment, consult a scabies specialist online --> https://www.icliniq.com/ask-a-doctor-online/dermatologist/scabies
Scabies is a dermatologic disease caused by the mite names Sarcoptes scabiei. Some of the methods to remove scabies mites from the human body are:
- Permethrin cream.
- Sulfur cream.
- Ivermectin.
The most common way of recognizing a scabies infestation is intense itching with pimple-like skin rashes. The scabies mite can spread by skin-to-skin contact with the infected person.
Initially, scabies starts around the wrists, finger webs, elbows, armpits, waist, knees, ankles, or groin.
Scabies is most commonly seen in young individuals, people with developmental disabilities, weak immune systems, or with certain infections like HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and lymphoma. In addition, it is commonly seen in people taking immunosuppressive drugs.
Scabies is caused by a tiny burrowing mite called Sarcoptes scabiei, which causes intense itching that exaggerates at night.
The symptoms of scabies are:
- Rash.
- Intense itching.
- Blisters.
- Bumps with a clear top filled with fluid.
- Read and scaly patches.
It is not possible to pull scabies mites out of the skin. However, it can be cured with prescription medications. The doctor might try to scrape the skin with a thin needle to pull out the parasite from its burrow.
Poor hygiene does not contribute to developing scabies. Instead, it infests people living in close, crowded conditions.
Blood tests may reveal scabies infestation by a sensitive and specific test that detects the scabies-specific circulating antibodies. In addition, the doctor checks the patient’s skin for the symptoms of scabies.
As per medical literature, the involvement of the eye and adnexal structures in a scabies infection is a very rare occurrence, with just two such cases ever being reported.
The most common presentation of scabies are:
- Night itching.
- Rashes.
- Sores.
- Skin crusting.
- Non-specific symptoms (fever, headache, and fatigue).
Scabies does not last 48 to 72 hours off a body, while they may survive beyond 1 to 2 months living on an individual's skin. Sometimes, it takes around six weeks for scabies infection to subside.
After a scabies infection, household items like bedding, clothing, and towels must be cleaned by machine-washing in hot water and drying with a hot cycle or by dry-cleaning.
To kill the mites over the skin, not just the scalp, Permethrin cream and Malathion lotion are the most common treatment modalities. The lotion can be applied applied and left on the scalp for ten minutes to get rid of the infection
Scabies infests the entire skin, even the face, scalp, and neck. Therefore, the lotion must be applied all over the body to treat the infection. The patient usually has pimples on his face after getting infected with scabies.
Last reviewed at:
07 Sep 2018 - 2 min read
RATING
Dermatology
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