Scabies

Scabies is a common issue worldwide, and it occurs due to an infestation, and it isn’t related to poor hygiene.

Scabies

Scabies occurs when a tiny mite infests the skin and causes an itchy rash.

Scabies is particularly common in crowded places and tropical areas.

Causes and risk factors of scabies

• The Sarcoptes scabiei mite is responsible for causing scabies. They make tunnels under the skin to live and lay eggs in it. Therefore, the body reacts and develops an itchy rash. Scabies is very contagious, and it primarily transmits through skin-to-skin contact. It might also transmit through sharing clothing and bedding.
• The risk of scabies increases in infants and children, in elderly people, and in people with a weak immune system.

Symptoms of scabies

• Scabies may take up to 6 weeks to develop, and it usually causes a very itchy rash that makes it hard to sleep, painful bumps or sores, and thin tunnels made of small blisters on the skin.
• The rash is usually found in the skin folds, such as between the fingers and toes, in the armpits, on the inner elbow, on the chest, around the waist, around the genitals, on the buttocks, and on the soles of feet. In infants and young children, the rash usually manifests in the fingers, face, scalp, neck, palms of the hands, and soles of the feet.
• Scabies might lead to a severe scaly rash, skin infections, septicemia, heart disease, and kidney disease.

Diagnosis of scabies

• Physical exam.

Treatment of scabies

• Topical treatments (creams, lotions, and ointments) that include permethrin, crotamiton, benzyl benzoate, or sulfur.
• Certain cases might require specific oral medications.
• Killing the mites might take up to 2 weeks, but itching might need 2-4 weeks to go away.
• You can prevent scabies from spreading by avoiding contact with a patient and washing the clothes, bedding, and towels properly in hot water.