20 Feb , Anusha ,Australia :The main symptoms of scabies are intense itching, particularly at night, and the appearance of small, raised, red bumps, blisters, or rashes. The mites do not "bite." The itching and rash are a person’s reaction to the mites, eggs, and fecal deposit (waste) in the burrow.
The areas of the skin most affected by scabies include the webs and sides of the fingers, around the wrists, waist, elbows, armpits, thighs, genitals, stomach, nipples, breasts, and lower buttocks. In young children, scabies may be found on any part of the body, including face and scalp.
For those who have not had scabies before, the signs and symptoms may take a month or more to begin, but may begin immediately in someone previously exposed to scabies.
Children commonly have secondary bacterial skin infections.
How common is scabies?
It is estimated that more than 300 million cases of scabies occur worldwide every year.
How is scabies spread?
Scabies is spread by long-term or frequent skin-to-skin contact with a person infected with the mite. It is common for several people in a family to have scabies. The ongoing physical contact that occurs in family settings easily spreads the scabies mite. Infestation may also occur by sharing clothing, towels, and bedding.
Scabies is spread by sexual contact.
Dogs, cats, and humans all have their own species of mite. Each species of mite prefers one specific type of host, but humans may have a temporary skin reaction from contact with an animal scabies mite. The main symptom, itching, will go away unless the person again comes into contact with the infested animal.
Who is likely to get scabies?
Scabies infestations can affect all people without regard to age, sex, race, or level of personal cleanliness. Scabies is most common in those who have close physical contact with others, particularly children, mothers of young children, sexually active young adults, and elderly people in nursing homes.
People with weakened immune systems and the elderly are at risk for a more severe form of scabies, called Norwegian or crusted scabies.
How do I protect myself from scabies?
Avoid physical contact with infested individuals and their belongings, especially clothing and bedding.
How do I protect others from scabies?
To successfully eliminate scabies in the household, it is recommended that you do the following:
* Change the bedding often.
* Wash clothes. Do all the laundry with the hottest water possible. Any clean clothes hanging in the closet or folded in the drawers are OK.
* Items you do not wish to wash may be placed in the dryer on the hot cycle for 30 minutes, or pressed with a warm iron.
* Items may be dry-cleaned.
* Items may also be placed in a sealed plastic bag and placed in the garage for two weeks. If the mites do not get a meal within one week, they die.
* Carpets or upholstery should be vacuumed through the heavy traffic areas. Vacuum the entire house and discard the bag, just to be on the safe side.
* Pets do not need to be treated.
* Infested persons should be excluded from school or childcare until after starting treatment.
* Do not share combs, brushes, hats, and coats.
* Spraying the room, house, or schoolroom with insecticide is not necessary.
What if I think I have scabies?
Many skin conditions are associated with itching and skin rashes. If you think you or a member of your family has scabies, check with your doctor, school nurse, health department, or other health care provider to be sure.
How is scabies infections diagnosed?
A healthcare professional takes skin scrapings and looks for the mite or eggs using a microscope.
How is scabies treated?
Several lotions are available to treat scabies. Carefully follow the directions provided by your doctor or the directions on the package. Apply treatment to all skin from neck to legs. This includes between toes, the crease between the buttocks, etc. If you wash your hands after application, you need to reapply the medication to your hands again. In infants and small children, apply medication to face and scalp also, but avoid the area close to the eyes.
Although these medications kill the mites promptly, the itching may not go away entirely for several weeks.
Because scabies is easily spread and because people often do not develop a rash until a month or more after infestations, doctors often recommend treatment for entire families, groups, or classes to eradicate the mite. If your health care provider has instructed family members to be treated, everyone should receive treatment at the same time to prevent re-infestation.
Should I worry about scabies when I travel out of the country?
Scabies is commonplace in developing countries. It is possible to acquire scabies after sleeping in unsanitary bedding. The scabies mite does not carry other diseases.
Sources : Texas , Dept of Health Services