Scabies is a highly contagious skin ailment triggered by small-sized mites that burrow into the skin. The chief symptoms are scabies is intense itchiness that is worse at night time. There is also a skin rash on parts of the skin where the mites burrowed.
Close look on the scabies mites
The mites responsible for scabies are known as Sarcoptes scabiei. These mites feed and burrow into the exterior skin layer where they place their eggs.
After 3-4 days, the baby mites hatch and travel to the skin surface where they mature into adults. Take note that scabies prefers warm areas such as under the fingernails, skin folds, between the fingers, breast creases or around the buttock. In addition, they also hide beneath watch straps, rings or bracelets.
How does it spread?
Scabies generally spreads via extended periods of skin-to-skin contact with an individual with scabies or via sexual contact.
It is also likely to spread by sharing towels, clothing and bedding with infected individuals.
Remember that it might take 8 weeks for the symptoms to manifest after the initial infection.
Management of scabies
A doctor should be consulted if an individual is suspected with scabies. It is not a serious condition, but it requires proper treatment.
The commonly used treatment options include permethrin cream and malathion lotion. Both medications include insecticides that eliminates the scabies mite.
Permethrin cream is typically suggested as the initial line of treatment. As for malathion lotion, it is used if permethrin is not effective.
What are the potential complications?
Scabies can oftentimes lead to a secondary skin infection once the skin is irritated and inflamed via excessive itchiness.