Scabies

Scabies is a skin disease caused by a very small species of mite. The microscopic species burrows itself under the upper layer of the skin where it lives and lays its eggs. People get infected by this mite from prolonged direct contact with somebody who has scabies. Scabies cannot be spread through a swimming pool or contact with towels, bedding, and clothing of a person with scabies. Also pets and animals cannot spread human scabies. The mite’s form a burrow in the skin that looks like a pencil mark, that’s where the scabies lay their eggs and take up to 21 days to fully mature. The itchy rash that comes along with it is an allergic reaction to the mite. Rashes will appear especially between the fingers; sores on the skin will form from scratching and digging. Hands and body will have thin, pencil-like marks on the skin. Symptoms may take up to two months to show but a female deposit 2-3 egg per day as it burrows under the skin; eggs hatch in 3-4 days and migrate to the surface of the skin and burrow into the stratum corneum. Mites become almost invisible, this is called molting pouches. The larval stages emerge from the skin and only have a few legs but last about 3-4 days. After the larvae molt they form into slightly larger nymphs before molting into adults. Mating takes place only once and the female is fertile for the rest of her life. If left untreated mites will continue to reproduce and burrow deeper into the skin. Treatment must be mad as soon as you think you have it because symptoms may not show for the first 2-6 weeks. Most cases can be cured with no long term problems. If left untreated for too long in addition to discomfort of the infestation, repeated scratching of the infected area will lead to a serious skin infection. A mother can infect her baby with the same skin disease if the baby has prolonged contact with the mother. Most cases of scabies take place only around the hands and fingers, therefore there is a strong possibility the baby won’t be affected. The product used for scabies is called scabicides because it kills the mites and even the scabies eggs. Medication is only available for prescription from doctor no over the counter drugs have been tested and approved for use. Scabicides lotion should be applied to all areas of the body from the head to toes. When treating infants and babies scabicides lotion should be applied all over the neck and head because scabies can affect face, scalp, and neck. Skin sores that become infected should be treated with medication from the doctor. The only way to prevent scabies is to not come into any prolonged contact with an infected person.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001833/

Julius Shields