Scabies

Scabies is a highly contagious skin disorder caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei, which burrows into the skin and produces an intense, itchy rash. Scabies affects people of all ages, races, and socioeconomic backgrounds and is transmitted through close personal contact or shared clothing, bedding, or towels.

Scabies Thorax

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Signs and symptoms

The primary symptom of scabies is intense itching, which is often worse at night. This is due to an allergic reaction to the mite, its eggs, and its feces. The rash associated with scabies is typically characterized by small, red bumps and blisters, often concentrated in the skin folds between the fingers, the wrists, the elbows, the armpits, the waist, the buttocks, and the genitals.

In addition to the rash, scabies may cause burrow-like lines on the skin, which are created by the female mite as she tunnels beneath the skin's surface to lay her eggs. The itching and rash can lead to secondary skin infections, such as impetigo, if not treated properly.

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Scabies Nodules hand

Causes

Scabies is caused by infestation with the mite Sarcoptes scabiei, a microscopic, eight-legged parasite. The mite is transmitted through close personal contact, such as hugging, holding hands, or sexual contact. Scabies can also be spread indirectly through shared clothing, bedding, or towels. The risk of transmission is higher in crowded living conditions, such as nursing homes, hospitals, and prisons.

Diagnosis

Scabies is typically diagnosed through a visual examination of the affected skin by a healthcare provider. In some cases, a skin scraping may be taken and examined under a microscope to confirm the presence of the mite, its eggs, or its feces.

Treatment

The primary treatment for scabies involves the use of topical medications, such as permethrin cream, which is applied to the entire body from the neck down and left on for 8 to 14 hours before being washed off. In more severe cases, oral medications like ivermectin may be prescribed. Over-the-counter creams and lotions containing sulfur may be used to treat scabies in infants, pregnant women, and individuals who cannot tolerate prescription medications.

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Scabies burrow

In addition to treating the affected individual, it is important to treat close contacts and family members, even if they do not show symptoms, to prevent re-infestation. Environmental measures, such as washing clothing, bedding, and towels in hot water and drying them on high heat, can help eliminate the mites and prevent further transmission.

Prevention

Preventing scabies primarily involves avoiding close personal contact with individuals who are infected. However, because the mite can survive for several days away from the human body, it is also important to avoid sharing clothing, bedding, or towels with someone who has scabies. In crowded living conditions or institutional settings, early detection and treatment of scabies cases can help prevent outbreaks.

Maintaining good hygiene and regularly washing clothes, bedding, and towels can also reduce the risk of scabies transmission. In cases where multiple family members are affected, simultaneous treatment is recommended to prevent re-infestation.

Complications

If left untreated, scabies can lead to complications such as:

Secondary skin infections: Persistent scratching of the affected areas can break the skin, allowing bacteria to enter and cause infections like impetigo or cellulitis. Crusted scabies: Also known as Norwegian scabies, this severe form of scabies is characterized by a thick, crusty buildup on the skin, typically affecting people with weakened immune systems or other underlying health conditions. Crusted scabies is highly contagious and more difficult to treat. Post-scabies itch: Even after successful treatment, itching may continue for several weeks as the body continues to react to the dead mites and their byproducts. Over-the-counter antihistamines or corticosteroid creams can help alleviate this lingering itch.

Summary

Scabies is a highly contagious skin disorder caused by a mite that burrows into the skin and produces an intense, itchy rash

See also

• Sarcoptes scabiei
• Skin infection
• Parasitic skin diseases

References

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