On Scabies

SCABIES
DEFINITION:-Scabies is an itchy skin

condition caused by a tiny burrowing mite called
Sarcoptes scabiei. The presence of the mite leads
to intense itching in the area of its burrows. The
urge to scratch may be especially strong at night.
Scabies is contagious
SYMPTOMS
Scabies signs and symptoms include:-
• Itching, often severe and usually worse at night
• Thin, irregular burrow tracks made up of tiny blisters or bumps on your
skin
• The burrows or tracks typically appear in folds of your skin. Though almost
any part of your body may be involved, in adults and older children
scabies is most often found:-
a. Between finger
b. Around your waist
c. Along the insides of wrists
d. On your inner elbow
e. On the soles of your feet
f. Around breast
CONTD……
In infants and young children, common sites of infestation include
the:-
• Scalp
• Face
• Neck
• Palms of the hands
• Soles of the feet
• If you've had scabies before, signs and symptoms may develop
within a few days of exposure. However, if you've never had
scabies, it could take as long as six weeks for signs and symptoms
to begin. It's important to remember that you can still spread
scabies even if you don't have any signs or symptoms yet
CAUSES
• Scabies is a skin condition caused by the
parasite Sarcoptes scabiei.
• The intense itching associated with scabies is
thought to be caused by the immune system
reacting to the mites and their saliva, eggs and
faeces.
HOW SCABIES SPREAD:-
Scabies mites can't fly or jump, which means they can only move from
one human body to another if two people have direct and prolonged
physical contact.
For example, scabies mites can be transmitted by:
• holding hands with an infected person for a prolonged period of time
• having sex with an infected person
• sharing clothing, towels and bedding with an infected person
(although this is rare)
• It's unlikely that scabies will be transmitted through brief physical
contact, such as shaking hands or hugging.
• Scabies mites can survive outside the human body for 24 to 36 hours,
making infection by coming into contact with contaminated clothes,
towels or bed linen a possibility. However, it's rare for someone to be
infected in this way.
TREATMENT
• Treatment for scabies usually involves getting rid of
the infestation with prescription ointments, creams,
and lotions that can be applied directly to the skin.
Oral medications are also available.
• Your doctor will probably instruct you to apply the
medicine at night when the mites are most active.
You may need to treat all of your skin from the neck
down. The medicine can be washed off the following
morning. Make sure you follow your doctor’s
instructions very carefully. You may need to repeat
the topical treatment in 7 days.
CONTD…..
• Your doctor may also prescribe additional
medications to help relieve some of the
bothersome symptoms associated with scabies.
These medications include:
• antihistamines, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine
) or pramoxine lotion to help control the itching
• antibiotics to kill any infections that develop as a
result of constantly scratching your skin
• steroid creams to relieve swelling and itc
CONTD……
More aggressive treatment may be needed for severe
or widespread scabies. An oral tablet called
ivermectin (Stromectol) can be given to people who:-
• don’t see an improvement in symptoms after initial
treatment
• have crusted scabies
• have scabies that covers most of the body
CONTD….
• During the first week of treatment, it may seem as if
the symptoms are getting worse. However, after the
first week, you’ll notice less itching, and you should
be completely healed by the fourth week of
treatment. Skin that hasn’t healed within a month
may still be infested with scabies mites. It’s
important to remember that “post-scabies itch” can
last up to one month.
• Contact your doctor right away if you find that
symptoms persist after four weeks of treatment
PREVENTION
• The best way to prevent getting scabies is to avoid direct skin-to-skin
contact with a person known to have scabies. It’s also best to avoid
unwashed clothing or bedding that has been used by a person
infested with scabies.
• Scabies mites can live for 48 to 72 hours after falling off your body, so
you need to take certain precautions to prevent reinfestation. Make
sure to wash all of the following in hot water that reaches 122°F
(50°C):
• clothing
• bedding
• towels
• Pillows…..
CONTD..
• These items should then be dried in the dryer
on very high heat for at least 10 to 30 minutes.
• Anything that can’t be washed should be
thoroughly vacuumed. When you’re finished
vacuuming, throw out the vacuum bag and
thoroughly clean the vacuum with bleach and
hot water. Bleach and hot water can also be
used to clean other surfaces that may contain
scabies mites

On Scabies

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SCABIES

DEFINITION:-Scabies is an itchy skin

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