Scabies:
Scabies result from infestation with itch mite which provokes sensitivity reaction and itching” Itch mite Sarcoptes Scabiei hominis.
Scabies is an itchy skin condition caused by a tiny burrowing mite called Sarcoptes Scabiei. Intense itching occurs in the area where the mite burrows. The urge to scratch may be especially strong at night.
Scabies is contagious and can spread quickly through close physical contact in a family, child care, group school, class Nursing Home, or prison. Because scabies is so contagious, doctors often recommend treatment for entire families or contact groups.
Scabies is a worldwide problem but happens most often in tropical areas and in very crowded places.
Scabies is also known as Sarcoptic mange. Animals can also get scabies what the mites are slightly different usually the mites that affect pets can’t adapt to living on humans. However, you might have some type of reaction to mites on your pet.
Scabies symptoms:
Scabies of symptoms include a rash and intense itching that gets worse at night. Continuous scratching of the infected area can create sores that become infected. If this occurs additional treatment with antibiotics for the skin infection may be recommended.
Common side for scabies in older children and adult include the:
- Buttocks.
- Penis.
- Waist.
- Nipples.
- Armpit.
- Elbow.
- Wrist.
- Around the male genital area.
- Area between the fingers.
Common side of infection, Infant and young children usually include the:
- Soles of the feet.
- Palms of the hands.
- Scalp.
- Face.
- Neck.
The rash itself can consist of:
- Hives.
- Bumps under the skin.
- Tiny bites.
- Pimples-like bumps.
If you’ve had scabies before signs and symptoms may develop within a few days of exposure. If you’ve never had scabies. It can take as long as six weeks for signs and symptoms to begin. You can still spread scabies even if you don’t have any signs or symptoms yet.
Causes:
These mites are easily passed between people. Direct skin-to-skin contact is the most common way the infestation is spread. The mites can also be spread through infested.
- Furniture
- Clothes
- Bedding.
- Unhygienic
- Patient clothes use other person
Facilities where people live in close contact with one another often see infestations spread easily. These may include nursing home or extended care facilities.
Close physical contact and less often, the sharing of clothing or bedding with an infected person can spread the mites.
Can you get scabies from animals:
Animals and humans all are affected by their own distinct species of mites. Each species prefers one specific type of host and doesn’t live long away from that preferred host.
Humans may have a temporary skin reaction from contact with the animal scabies mites. What people generally can’t develop full-blown scabies from this source, as they might from contact with the human scabies mite.
Complications:
A more severe form of scabies, called crusted scabies, may affect certain high risk groups, including.
- People who are very ill, such as people in hospitals or nursing facilities.
- Older people in nursing homes.
- People with chronic health conditions that weaken the immune system, such as HIV or chronic leukaemia.
Skin infection and allows are secondary bacterial infection, such as impetigo to occur impetigo is a superficial infection on the skin that’s caused most often by staph (staphylococci) bacteria or occasionally by strep (streptococci) bacteria.
Crusted scabies, also called Norwegian scabies, tends to make skin crusty and scaly, and affects large areas of the body. It’s very contagious and can be hard to treat.
Diagnosis:
To diagnose scabies, your doctor examines your skin, looking for signs of mites, including the characteristic burrows. When your doctor locates a mite burrow, he or she may take a scraping from that area of your skin to examine under a microscope. The microscopic examination can determine the presence of mites or their eggs.
Treatment:
Scabies treatment involves eliminating the infestation with medications. Several creams and lotions are available with a doctors prescription.
Medications commonly prescribed for scabies include:
Permethrin cream: Permethrin is a topical cream that contains chemicals that kill scabies mites and their eggs. It is generally considered safe for adults, pregnant women, and children age 2 months and older.
Crotamiton (Eurax, Crotan): This medication is available as a cream or a lotion. It’s applied once a day for two days. The safety of this medication hasn’t been established in children, adults 65 and older, or women who are pregnant or nursing. Frequent treatment failure has been reported with crotamiton.
Ivermerctin (Stromectol): Doctors may prescribe this oral medication for people with altered immune systems, for people who have crusted scabies, or for people who don’t respond to the prescription lotions and creams. Ivermerctin isn’t recommended for women who are pregnant or nursing, or for children who weigh less than 33 pounds (15 kilograms).
Prevention & control:
When a person is infested with scabies mites the first time, symptoms typically take 4-8 weeks to develop after being infested. However, an infested person can transmit scabies, even if they do not have symptoms. Scabies usually is passed by direct, prolonged skin-to-skin contact with an infested person. However, a person with crusted (Norwegian) scabies can spread the infestation by brief skin-to-skin contact or by exposure to bedding, clothing, or even furniture that he/she has used.
Scabies is prevented by avoiding direct skin-to-skin contact with an infested person or with items such as clothing or bedding used by an infested person. Scabies treatment usually is recommended for members of the same household, particularly for those who have had prolonged skin-to-skin contact.
Bedding and clothing worn or used next to the skin anytime during the 3 days before treatment should be machine washed and dried using the hot water and hot dryer cycles or be dry-cleaned. Items that cannot be dry-cleaned or laundered can be disinfested by storing in a closed plastic bag for several days to a week. Scabies mites generally do not survive more than 2 to 3 days away from human skin. Children and adults usually can return to child care, school, or work the day after treatment.
Person with crusted scabies and their close contacts, including household members, should be treated rapidly and aggressively to avoid outbreaks. Institutional outbreaks can be difficult to control and require a rapid, aggressive, and sustained response.
Rooms used by a patient with crusted scabies should be thoroughly cleaned and vacuumed after use. Environmental disinfestation using pesticide sprays or fogs generally is unnecessary and is discouraged.
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