What Causes Scabies?

A skin problem called scabies is caused by tiny mites known as Sarcoptes scabiei. You can't see these mites with the naked eye, and they can crawl into the skin and make it very itchy and painful. People who are close to someone who has scabies are very likely to get it. This piece will explain in simple terms what scabies is, how they spread, and how to treat them.

Causes of Scabies

An infection of the Sarcoptes scabiei mite is the main cause of scabies. You would need a microscope to see these mites because they are so small. They usually get passed on by having close skin-to-skin touch with someone who has them for a long time. On the other hand, scabies can spread indirectly through clothes, bedding, or items that are infected.

The mites can get on someone's skin if they touch a sick person or something that is contaminated. After getting on the skin, the mites dig into the epidermis, which is the top layer, to lay eggs and make more mites. A rash and burning are common signs of scabies because the mites dig holes and the body's immune system reacts to them.

Symptoms of Scabies

It usually takes a while for scabies signs to show up after being exposed to the mites for the first time. This is because it takes time for the body to recognize the mites and for them to burrow into the skin. Some common signs of scabies are:

Intense Itching

Scabies is characterized by severe itching that gets worse at night or after a hot shower. In most cases, the burning is worse when the mites have burrowed into the skin.

Rash on the skin

In places where the mites have burrowed, a red, bumpy rash may show up on the skin. The rash can be all over, but it usually shows up in folds of skin, like between the fingers, on the wrists, elbows, armpits, waist, buttocks, and groin.

Tracks or Holes

Thin, raised lines may sometimes be seen on the skin. Mites make these holes, which are called burrows, as they crawl under the skin's surface. Most of the time, burrows are found in the webs between fingers, on the wrists, elbows, and genitalia.

Second-hand Infections

If you scratch the rash, you could break the skin, which could lead to more bacterial illnesses. Pain, swelling, and blisters filled with pus may be some of the other signs of these infections.

How to Diagnose Scabies

A medical expert will usually do a physical exam to confirm a diagnosis of scabies. The doctor will look for signs of scabies during the exam, such as holes, a rash, and severe itching. In some cases, a skin scrape may be needed to be sure of the diagnosis. A skin scraping takes a small piece of skin from the affected area and looks at it under a microscope to see if there are any mites, eggs, or feces.

Treatment of Scabies

Treatment for scabies usually involves medications that kill the mites and their eggs. Common treatments include:

Scabicides for the skin

These are lotions, creams, or ointments that have poisons in them, like permethrin. Topical scabicides are put on the body from the neck down and left on for a certain amount of time before being washed off. If the thought of chemical ointments for scabies treatment scares you, there are alternative natural treatment methods on the market that have successfully helped people rid of scabies. These natural products may include sulfur and tea tree, which have both been proven effective in scabies control.

Oral Medicines

People with scabies may sometimes be given pills to take by mouth, like ivermectin. The medicine ivermectin stops the mites from moving and kills them so your body can have an easier time rejecting them from the skin. 

Anti-Itch Medicines 

Antihistamines may be given to people with scabies to help ease the itching. These medicines can help you stop scratching and stop infections from spreading.

Creams with steroids

Steroid creams may be recommended to reduce inflammation and itching in cases where itching is very bad.

Besides taking medicine, it's important to stop scabies from spreading to other people. All of your clothes, sheets, and towels should be washed in hot water and dried on high heat. People in the household and close friends may also need to be treated to stop the infestation from happening again.

Preventing Scabies

Preventing scabies involves practicing good hygiene and avoiding close contact with infected individuals. Some tips for preventing scabies include:

Always wash your hands

Using soap and water to wash your hands can help stop the spread of scabies and other illnesses.

Don't get too close

Avoid skin-to-skin touch for a long time with people who have scabies or who might have scabies.

Keep your things clean

If someone in your home has scabies, don't share clothes, bedding, towels, or personal things with other people.

Get help right away

If you think you might have scabies, you should see a doctor right away to stop the problem from spreading to other people.

Environmental Cleaning

Cleaning and disinfecting your space the right way can help stop the spread of scabies. You can get rid of mites and their eggs by vacuuming carpets, furniture, and beds. It's also possible to lower the risk of transmission by cleaning surfaces and things that may have come into touch with infected people, like door handles, toys, and furniture

Isolation and Quarantine

When scabies outbreaks happen in public places like hospitals, nursing homes, or jails, infected people may need to be quarantined and kept away from other people to stop the disease from spreading. Infected people may need to be briefly kept away from others until they finish treatment and are no longer contagious. When putting people in isolation or quarantine, it's important to follow the rules set by medical workers and public health officials.

Conclusion

Scabies is a common skin disease that is very easy to spread. It is caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite. Itching that is very bad, a rash and holes in the skin are all signs of this condition. Close physical contact is an easy way to spread scabies, and if you don't treat it, it can cause a lot of pain. On the other hand, scabies can be treated and avoided with quick medical care and good hygiene. If you think you have scabies or have been close to someone who does, you should see a doctor right away to get a good diagnosis and treatment.