Scabies Treatment

Scabies is caused by an invisible to the naked eye parasite, called sarcoptic scabie mite. Scabies mites burrow under the skin of infected individuals, and moves in small grooves or lines which are visible to the naked eye. The female scabies mite lays her fertilized eggs (on average two eggs a day) under the surface layer of the skin. Scabies can be spread faster within communal settings such as nursing homes, barracks, boarding schools, kindergartens, schools, etc. Scabies can be transmitted by contact with contaminated laundry, including bedding, couches, car seats, and pretty much anywhere anyone sits or touches can become suspect as an area that can transmit scabies from one person to another or re-infect themselves. (infection of healthcare workers, sitting in a car of an infected person, a child touching another child or sleeping on sheets or blankets contaminated at home or in a shelter for example).

Transmission of scabies usually requires close and prolonged contact. It can be considered a sexually transmitted disease, however casual touch can be just as common of a way to transmit the disease. Incubation of scabies is from 5 days to 2 weeks.

Scabies Disease Evolution:

Superinfected scabies is a bacterial infection (staphylococcus, streptococcus) in areas of pruritus (itching) election. Norwegian scabies is a clinical form of parasitic infection that occurs in patients with compromised immune systems (HIV, organ transplant). The mite has a very significant increase and contagiousness is obviously very important.

It May Be Something other Than Scabies:

Anal itching: intestinal parasitosis;
Pruritus vulvae: vulvovaginitis;
Itching of scalp pediculosis (lice).

Scabies Symptoms:

After several weeks of incubation, intense itching occur anywhere on the body (except face), especially at night. Tiny furrows a few millimeters to an inch in length (corresponding to the growth of the parasite under the skin) appear between the fingers, wrists and ankles, as well as buttons to the armpits, nipples, buttocks and genitals (related to egg laying that causes an allergic reaction).

Scabies Consultation

The doctor must search for specific signs of scabies. They will look for paths present in areas of pruritus, beaded vesicles (fluid), scabious cankers (glands and the penis sheath) and scabious nodules. The doctor, by questioning and clinical examination, generally through a skin scraping. Some patients choose to do their own skin scraping using a carrier oil like olive or mineral oil, scraping the suspect area, then examining through a microscope to see if they have a suspect scabies mite or other type of human mite such as bird mites.

Scabies Causes

Scabies is an infection caused by a parasitic human scabies mite. This condition is very common and cosmopolitan. The number of new cases has increased dramatically since 2000. The female mite digs a tunnel in the outermost layer of the skin (stratum corneum) and lays her eggs. The saliva of the parasite as well as egg casings under the skin causes severe itching.
It will involve the affected individual and his entourage, even in the absence of symptoms.
In cases of scabies occurring in adults:

Typical Treatment for Scabies:

External Pest Control with Permethrin Cream: After a soap shower (stripping of the stratum corneum of the skin making it accessible to the parasite treatment), patients apply the lotion to brush over the surface of the body except the face and scalp. Take a shower 24 hours later and change all clothing. Itching may persist usually a few days after treatment; Disinfect clothes by washing in borax soap (20 Mule Team Borax as local Walmart or grocery store is great) In cases of secondary bacterial infection of excoriations, the oral antibiotics and local disinfection are essential.

Is There a Natural Treatment for Scabies?

There are natural lotions, creams and soaps that are effective. Dermisil makes a great scabies lotion and bar soap that is highly effective at killing and scabies treatment. Hygiene is the number one way to prevent re-infection. Disinfection sprays such as Benzarid are highly effective at killing the scabies mites in car seats, couches, bedding etc. Bedding should be changed 1-2 times per day to prevent re-contamination, soiled clothing, as well as sheets and towels should be washed immediately in borax laundry detergent on highest settings. We must also repeat the treatment 4-7 days later to cover the period between egg laying and hatching and mite lifecycle, as no product is completely effective in killing eggs. It is unnecessary to shave the hair. BenzaRid type disinfectants should also be used on contaminated objects (couch, carpet, mattresses, toiletries, etc..). It is normal for the itching to persist for several days or weeks even after successful treatment. However, if it persists more than a month after treatment, the patient should see additional medical advice and or repeat treatments
.
What are the causes of Scabies Treatment failure?

The incomplete treatment of of the body with either natural products or chemicals;
Non-treatment of persons with whom the patient has had close contact;
The second application 4-7 days later is not compeleted;
Not applying the product c;
The environmental measures are not implemented. Not properly disinfecting (washing clothes and bedding) and sitting areas with products like BenzaRid.

Scabies Itching of the Body Below the Neck Line?

Generally itching in the folds of the skin and anywhere below the neck-line can indicate a scabies infection. However there can be many other cause of these symptoms such as rash, allergic reactions, eczema, etc that have nothing to do with scabies. The lines or rows on the skin can be detected by sight. The doctor put a drop of mineral oil and lightly scratching the skin with a scalpel to obtain a sample of scales and send it to a laboratory for evaluation, or you can attempt to do this skin scraping yourself with a microscope or 30x or higher pocket microscope. Be warned that many doctors can not tell if you have scabies and we have heard of many instances where doctors were of no help and it led to individuals having to do self-diagnosis to determine what was wrong with them. The mites or their eggs or feces are then visible under a microscope. When the furrows are difficult to collect, the doctor applies to the skin a special blue or black ink. Much ink is absorbed by a blotter and only the grooves retain the color. Wood’s light is another useful diagnostic tool. The doctor uses a special antibiotic solution on the skin, after which he wipes. Ultraviolet light of this, which is located in a narrow band of wavelengths, allows the physician to directly observe the paths of mites.
Who is Likely to Catch Scabies?

Anyone who comes into contact with a scabies infection is likely to be infested, adult and child. There is NO socioeconomic barrier with scabies. Rich and poor can become infected with the mite. Although orphanages and homeless are more susceptible to infection, anyone may become infected with the mite.
How do People with Scabies Prevent Transmission?

Any sleep or sexual partner, even if he or she has no symptoms, should be treated. You should avoid sharing the same bedding, sitting, blankets, clothing and towels. Please use common sense as infection can occur by any method of touching or sitting where an infected person has sat.