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We Know: All About Scabies
What is scabies? Scabies is a contagious skin disease caused by a small mite called Sarcoptes scabei. The mite is passed by prolonged person-to-person contact with infected individuals. The skin condition can occur with anybody, regardless of race or social standing. How do I get scabies? You get scabies when you come into extended contact with somebody who has the skin disease. Scabies will most likely occur within families or in a sexual partner. It is often passed by infested clothing and bedding. Once the skin contacts the mite, the mite burrows into the skin, creating pencil-like marks, and lays its eggs. The eggs mature and hatch in 21 days, causing an allergic reaction from the person. What symptoms are associated with scabies? Symptoms that are associated with scabies include:
How is scabies diagnosed? A medical doctor will take a skin scraping if an infestation is suspected to have scabies. The skin scraping detects the presence of the mite, its eggs, or the mite's fecal matter. How is scabies treated? Doctors will prescribe body creams and lotions to treat scabies. Elimite (permethrin) is a prescription body cream that is rubbed all over the body, left on for eight hours, and then washed off. For bad cases of scabies, doctors may prescribe an oral medication called vermectin. All clothing and bedding of the infected individual should be washed in hot water and dried in a hot dryer. Does treatment for scabies indicate immunity from scabies? Once you've had scabies, you can get infected again. Treatments do not make a person immune to scabies. What do I prevent scabies? The only method of prevention against scabies is to avoid having contact with infected individuals. |
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