Scabies

Scabies is a form of infection affecting the skin caused by a sort of small mite. This mite, known as Sarcoptes scabiei, burrows inside the skin to cause the issue. The first sign that a patient will have with this skin condition is an itchy rash on the affected area.

As per reviews of some patients, the itching sometimes increases at night. As you may know, it is a form of transmissible skin issue that can be transferred to a healthy person from one who is already infected.

There is a very high chance that anyone in your close vicinity can have the issue, so it is highly important to quarantine one.

The good part about the infection is that it is always curable. Even if you have severe scabies, there are medicines and ointments that kill the eggs and the mites to get rid of the issue within a few weeks or months.

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Symptoms

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• Itching
• Rashes
• Tiny wavy tunnels on the surface of the skin
• Blisters and bumps on the skin

Scabies can infect any part of your body. However, as per studies from different patients, some of the most common areas of infection include-

• The area between fingers and toes
• Around the armpits
• Inside portion of the wrist
• Inside elbows
• Feet soles
• Around the chest
• Nipples
• Belly button area
• Around the private parts
• Groin
• On the buttocks

The common areas affecting children are-

• Fingers
• Face
• Scalp
• Neck
• Palms
• Feet

A seemingly deadly issue with scabies is that those who are infected for the first time can often show no symptoms for weeks. However, during this time, the infection can spread from the infected to other healthy persons.

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Causes

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As we told you above, it is a mite that is to blame for this tunnelling skin infection. The females may even make burrows deeper and lay eggs.

As soon as the eggs hatch, the larvae travel back to the surface of the skin where they grow. Itching and rashes, which are the most common symptoms, often occur during eggs egg-laying process and as a result of the waste products secreted from the mites and larvae.

An important thing to keep in mind here is that animals or even pets in your home do not spread scabies to us humans. The type of mites that cause similar infections in animals is not able to survive on human skin.

However, if you ever come in contact with an animal or your pet, that has such infections; it may itch a lot on the contact area but eventually cure itself within a few days as the mites will die.

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Complications

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Too much scratching on your skin can cause blisters and cracks on the skin, which may burn and irritate a lot.

Too much scratching can also lead to another infection known as impetigo, which is a form of bacterial infection.

Another, more severe form of scabies, which the doctors refer to as crusted scabies, can occur without early treatment.

This will make your skin appear as crusts, and flakes will begin to appear.  This is even more contagious than normal scabies and is further difficult to cure.

As per studies, a person having this severe scabies issue may have millions of mites under the skin.

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Avoiding Scabies

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As it is a form of contagious issue, the patient suffering from scabies has to be quarantined and kept in a separate room.

Along with this, the person has to follow extreme hygiene measures to avoid contamination of water, food, and other substances for use by healthy persons.

Here is a list of some basic caution steps that can help avoid transmission of scabies.

• Washing all clothes, bedsheets, and linens daily
• Keep your belongings in a separate room
• Clean and vacuum your room daily
• Make sure you have separate sources of water and food at home

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Diagnosis

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The diagnosis often begins with the doctors taking a close look at the affected areas. If the mites are big enough, they may even be visible to the naked eye, that as their burrows and rashes.

In other cases, the doctors may take a small sample of your skin and test for signs of the infection under a microscope.

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Cure For Scabies

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To cure scabies, the doctors give suitable medicines and ointments that kill the eggs and the mites deep in the skin burrows. We highly suggest that patients only consult with doctors and go for prescription remedies.

Depending on how severe the issue is, the doctors will suitably tell you to use the cream and the medicine for certain tenure in a specific dose.

Remember that any signs of symptoms getting away do not mean that your infections have cured.

You will still need to carry on with the treatment as long as the doctors tell you to.

Some of the common treatment methods include-

• Premethrin Cream

This is a safe ointment, a topical cream that can effectively kill the mites and the eggs causing scabies. Even though it is safe to use in children more than 6 months old. The doctors also recommend this cream to a pregnant mother.

• Sulphur Cream

This is another ointment that is highly recommended by doctors for curing scabies. The method is to apply the cream during the night and leave it untouched for at least 5 hours and then wash off in the morning. You have to continue using the cream for at least 7 days.

• Ivermectin Pills

One of the popular medicines containing Ivermectin for scabies is Stromectol. You can take a pill in a certain dose as suitably given by the doctors. There is a dissolving medicine that is safe for use in children, too.

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Lifestyle Remedies

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To cure itching and rashes, you can consult with a doctor for using antihistamine medicines or creams that reduce the symptoms.

Try to avoid contact with the soil directly with the feet or hands without wearing protective wear.

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Preparing For Your Appointment With The Doctors

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With this idea in mind, now you are ready to visit a doctor for an appointment.

Remember to detail the list of symptoms, along with telling how long you have had them. Also, do not forget to mention your age and health.