Scabies is a common condition worldwide and affects all ages, races and income levels. This skin disease is not related to body hygiene. Scabies is caused by the infestation of the human itch mite on the skin, known scientifically as the species Sarcoptes scabiei. These mites are eight-legged creatures that can only be seen with the aid of a microscope. Adult female mites enter the epidermis (the top layer of the skin), and then live, eat, and leave their eggs there. These mites very rarely penetrate the stratum corneum, which is the thickest layer of the epidermis. If you have scabies, follow the simple steps below to learn to recognize it and diagnose, treat, and prevent it in the future.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Watching for Signs of Scabies
Step 1. Look for intense itching
There are many signs and symptoms of scabies. The most common and early one is intense itching. This itching indicates a sensitivity and allergic reaction to the adult female mite, her eggs, and the feces she excretes.
This itching is usually more severe at night and has the potential to disrupt the patient's sleep
Step 2. Recognize the signs of a rash
In addition to itching, you can suffer from a rash. The rash also indicates an allergic reaction to the mites. This rash is usually described as pimple-like, with inflammation and redness around it. Mites prefer to live in the skin than other parts of the body.
- The most common places for an itchy rash in adults are the hands, especially between the fingers, skin folds on the wrists, elbows, or knees, buttocks, waist, penis, skin around the nipples, armpits, shoulder blades, and chest.
- In children, the most common areas affected include the scalp, face, neck, palms, and soles of the feet.
Step 3. Find small burrows
When exposed to scabies, the skin will sometimes be covered with small holes. It appears as gray beige or white streaks that bend across the surface of the skin. They are usually a centimeter or so long.
These burrows can be difficult to find because the average human is only attacked by 10 to 15 mites
Step 4. Watch for scabs on the skin
The intense itching caused by scabies usually causes the skin to scab. These scabs are prone to infection, which is a complication of scabies. Scabs are most often infected with bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus or beta-hemolytic streptococci which are abundant on the skin.
- These bacteria can also cause kidney inflammation and sometimes blood poisoning, which is a fatal bacterial infection of the blood.
- To avoid this, try to be gentle with your skin and don't scratch it. If you can't help yourself, consider wearing gloves or wrapping your fingertips in tape to prevent damage to the skin. Also keep fingernails short.
- Signs of infection include increased redness, swelling, pain, and discharge of fluid or pus from the scab. If your rash becomes infected, call your doctor immediately. Your doctor may prescribe oral or topical antibiotics to treat the infection.
Step 5. Watch for signs of crusting on the skin
One type of scabies has additional symptoms. Crusted scabies, or Norwegian crusted scabies, is a severe type of infestation. These infestations are characterized by small blisters and thick crusts of skin that can cover many areas of the body. Scabies scabies usually occurs in individuals who have a weak immune system. This compromised immune response allows the mites to reproduce undetected, up to a population sometimes reaching two million.
- Another consequence of a compromised immune response is that the itching and rash may be less severe or completely absent.
- You are at risk of developing the condition of crusted scabies if you are old, have a weakened immune system, or have HIV/ADIS, lymphoma, leukemia. You are also at risk if you have received an organ transplant and suffer from any conditions that might prevent you from scratching or itching, such as a spinal cord injury, paralysis, numbness, or mental disorders.
Part 2 of 4: Diagnosing Scabies
Step 1. Have a clinical examination
If you think you have scabies, consult a doctor immediately to get a clinical diagnosis. He or she will diagnose your condition by examining the burrows for the mites and the scabies rash.
- The doctor will likely use a needle to poke a small amount of skin. He or she will then examine the sample under a microscope for the presence of mites, eggs, or droppings.
- Be aware that a person can still be attacked by scabies even if the mites, eggs, or feces cannot be found. The average scabies infestation involves 10 to 15 mites throughout the body.
Step 2. Run an ink test to detect burrows
Doctors can use this test to identify burrows caused by the scabies mite. He will rub the ink around the itchy or irritated skin area, then use an alcohol pad to clean it. If you have burrows on your skin, the ink will get trapped and the burrows will look like dark wavy lines on your skin.
Step 3. Rule out other skin conditions
There are several skin conditions that can be mistaken for scabies. The main way to tell them apart is to detect the burrows, as these burrows will not appear in all other skin conditions that might be considered scabies. Ask your doctor for help to rule out other causes so you can be sure about whether you really have scabies.
- Scabies is sometimes confused with bites or stings of other insects, or bed bugs.
- These skin conditions include impetigo, which is a highly contagious skin infection. The reddish rash of impetigo most often appears on the face, around the nose and mouth.
- Sometimes, scabies can also be considered as eczema. Eczema is a chronic skin condition that causes inflammation. A red rash like acne that attacks eczema sufferers indicates an allergic reaction. People who have eczema can also get scabies, and this condition is usually more severe for them.
- You may also have folliculitis. Folliculitis is inflammation, and usually infection, of the area in contact with the hair follicle. This condition causes small white pimples to appear in reddened areas around the base or near the hair follicles.
- You may also have psoriasis, which is a chronic inflammatory skin condition. The hallmark is an overgrowth of skin cells, which causes thick, silvery scales and a red, dry, itchy rash.
Part 3 of 4: Caring for Scabies
Step 1. Use permethrin
Treatment for scabies involves eradicating the infestation by using prescription medications. These drugs are called scabicides because they can kill mites. Currently, there are no over-the-counter medications available to treat scabies. Your doctor may prescribe 5% permethrin cream, which is the drug of choice for the treatment of scabies. This cream is able to kill mites and their eggs. Apply from the neck all over the body and rinse after eight to fourteen hours.
- Repeat treatment within 7 days (1 week). Side effects may include itching or stinging.
- Talk to your doctor or pediatrician about how to care for babies and young children with scabies. Permethrin cream is safe for babies who are at least 1 month old, but most scientists may also recommend using it on their neck and head area. Make sure you do this without getting into the child's eyes or mouth.
Step 2. Try a 10% crotamiton cream or lotion
Your doctor may prescribe it for you. To use this cream, apply from the neck to the entire body after bathing. Repeat within 24 hours of the first dose and shower within 48 hours of the second dose. Repeat the same way for seven to ten days.
Crotamiton is safe when used as directed. However, there have been several reports of treatment failures, which means this cream is not the most effective or commonly used method
Step 3. Ask for a prescription for 1% lindane lotion
This lotion is similar to other scabicide medications. Use by applying it from the neck all over the body and rinse after eight-twelve hours (for adults) & six hours (for children). Repeat treatment in seven days. Lindane should not be given to children under the age of two, pregnant or lactating women, or people with weakened immune systems.
Lindane can be neurotoxic, meaning it may damage the brain as well as other parts of the nervous system. Prescription of lindane should not be given to patients who have failed treatment or can not tolerate other drugs with lower risk
Step 4. Use ivermectin
There is an oral treatment for scabies, called ivermectin. Evidence shows that these oral medications are safe and effective for curing scabies. However, this drug is not licensed by the US Department of Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Ivermectin is usually prescribed in a single oral dose of 200 mcg/kg body weight. This medicine should be taken with water on an empty stomach.
- Repeat the dose in 7-10 days. Prescribing ivermectin should be avoided for people who have failed treatment or cannot tolerate FDA-approved topical medications for scabies.
- One potential side effect is an increased heart rate.
Step 5. Treat skin irritation
Symptoms and skin sores may take up to three weeks to resolve even after the scabies mite has been eradicated by the scabicide. If these conditions do not go away within the allotted time, consider re-treatment. You may experience treatment failure or re-infestation problems. Symptomatic treatment of itching can also be done by cooling the skin. Soak in a bath filled with cold water or apply a cold compress to the irritated areas of the skin. This is useful for relieving itching.
- Sprinkling oatmeal or baking soda in the bath can soothe your skin.
- You can also try calamine lotion, which is over-the-counter and has been shown to relieve itching in minor skin irritations. Good options include Sarna or Aveeno anti-itch moisturizers. Avoid those containing added fragrances or dyes, as these can irritate the skin.
Step 6. Purchase a topical steroid or an oral antihistamine
Both of these drugs can help overcome the itching caused by scabies. This itching is actually an allergic reaction to the mites, their eggs, and their droppings. Steroids are very strong inhibitors of itching and inflammation. Some examples of topical steroids are betamethasone and triamcinolone.
- Since itching is an allergic reaction, you can also take an over-the-counter antihistamine. Examples are Benadryl, Claritin, Allegra, and Zyrtec. These medications can be very useful in reducing itching at night so you can sleep. Benadryl can also work as a mild anesthetic for many people. In addition, you can buy prescription antihistamines, such as Atarax.
- Hydrocortisone 1% cream can be purchased over the counter. These creams are usually effective for treating itching.
Part 4 of 4: Preventing Scabies
Step 1. Be careful about exposure
The most common way of transmitting scabies is through direct skin contact with someone who has already been infected. The longer this contact, the more likely you are to get scabies. Scabies can also be transmitted through objects such as bedding, clothing, and furniture, although this is less common. The itch-causing mites can survive for 48 to 72 hours without contact with humans. In adults, scabies is often transmitted through sexual activity.
Crowded conditions are also a common cause of scabies transmission. Therefore, areas such as prisons, soldier's wards, child and elderly care facilities, and schools are places that are often the center of the spread of disease. Only humans (not animals) can spread scabies
Step 2. Think about the incubation period
In someone who has just had scabies, the symptoms and signs of the disease can take from two to six weeks to develop. Also be aware that an infected person can spread scabies, even if he or she has no signs and symptoms.
People who have been exposed to scabies before will begin to show symptoms more quickly, which is within one to four days
Step 3. Find out if you are at risk for scabies
Certain groups of people are more likely to transmit scabies. These groups include children, mothers of young children, sexually active adults, and residents of nursing homes, homes for the disabled, and extra medical care facilities.
The most common means of transmitting scabies in these populations is direct skin contact
Step 4. Clean your house
Steps to control and prevent scabies from returning are simultaneous treatments. Usually, treatment is recommended for all other family members who live in the home and have intimate contact, including sexual partners.
- On the day that scabies treatment begins, all clothing, sheets and towels used in the last 3 days should be washed in hot water and dried on the highest setting. You can also clean these fabrics by dry cleaning. Then, place it in a sealed plastic bag for at least seven days. Remember, scabies mites can only survive for 48 to 72 hours if they don't live on human skin.
- When scabies treatment begins, vacuum all carpet and furniture in your home. Empty the litter bag and clean the vacuum cleaner after use. If the vacuum cleaner is not separable, wipe it with a damp paper towel to remove any remaining scabies mites.
- Don't take care of pets. The mites that cause itching in humans cannot survive on other animals. These animals also cannot transmit scabies.
- You don't need to use pesticide sprays or fumigation. This is not recommended.
