Clive Anderson - AT THE DERMATOLOGISTSCABIES IS an extremely contagious skin infection caused by a tiny insect called a mite. The mite is a microscopic eight-legged creature with a rounded body. Attracted by warmth and odour the female mite burrows into the skin, lays eggs and produces secretions that cause an allergic reaction. This results in intense itching that may be worse at nights. The eggs hatch into larvae that travel to the skin surface where they lie just under the skin and develop into mites.
SYMPTOMS OF SCABIES
Most commonly the first sign of scabies is an itchy rash or small, itchy blisters. Young children usually get the rash on their hands, feet, armpits and rarely on the face and scalp. Older children are affected on their wrists, elbows, armpits, breasts, groin, genitals and between the fingers. Itching is worse at nights or after a bath and may be severe enough to disrupt sleep. The mite's burrows look like short, dark wavy lines on the skin, usually between the fingers and around the wrist.
IS SCABIES CONTAGIOUS?
Yes scabies is contagious. It is spread through direct skin-to-skin contact. It is almost always caught from another person who has scabies. Children are more likely than adults to get scabies because they play close together. Adults may get scabies from sexual contact. The scabies mite can live in bedding for 24 hours. A person with scabies can spread the infection before his own symptoms have started. This is because it may be up to a month before a newly-infected person develops the symptoms. After treatment, a person is still contagious for two to four hours.
WHO IS MOST AT RISK?
Children under the age of two are most at risk, followed by mothers and older siblings and other family members who have frequent and close physical contact.
HOW IS SCABIES TREATED?
Scabies is easily and quickly treated with a medicated cream or lotion. It must be applied properly to work. All members of the household should be treated at the same time whether they have symptoms or not. Rub the prescribed cream or lotion over the entire body except face and scalp. Rub well between fingers, toes, on the genitals, and under the fingernails. Wash off with soap and water after eight to 12 hours. Do not attempt to treat with home remedies. Scrubbing with laundry soap or applying kerosene will make the condition worse. Pets do not need to be treated. Wash all personal items. Items not washed may be placed in the dryer on hot cycle for 30 minutes. Vacuum the entire house and discard the vacuum bag.
HOW LONG DOES SCABIES LAST?
One treatment is usually sufficient to kill the mites. The itchy bumps may however continue for two to three weeks after treatment. Children may return to school the day after treatment.
WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS OF SCABIES?
The scratched bumps may become infected secondarily with bacteria. Treatment with antibacterial medicines will result in short-lived relief of the symptoms only. Crusted scabies is a form of the disease in which areas of the body may be covered with a scaly crust. These crusts hide thousands of mites and their eggs. Treatment is difficult because medications do not penetrate the crusts well. This type of scabies occurs mostly among the elderly or in patients who are immune compromised.
Dr. Clive Anderson is a Dermatologist and Venereologist.
