Scabies

Overview

Scabies is a skin condition that can affect the entire body. Small patches or red bumps develop, causing itching, rashes, and sores that can become infected. Scabies is caused by the microscopic mite Sarcoptes scabiei, which burrows, lives, and lays eggs into the host's skin.

Itching may be intense and may resemble a severe allergic reaction. The condition is highly contagious and spreads rapidly, especially between members of a household who share clothing, towels, sheets, or furniture. People who are highly contagious are more likely to spread the mites. Scratching, human touch, and collecting the mite under fingernails can cause the rashes to spread from person to person at an accelerated rate.

Types

Scabies is a condition caused by the mite, Sarcoptes scabiei. There is only one type of infection that occurs when the mite burrows under the skin and lays eggs. The rash resembles other conditions including allergies, dermatitis, syphilis, and other parasites.

Scabies can affect any part of the body and can cause a variety of rashes. The rashes may appear different based on their stage. Inflammation may be intense or subdued, and it may be spread all over the body or limited to a specific area.

Symptoms

You may notice some burrowing tracks under your skin. Most likely, you will need to magnify your skin in order to identify these scratches, pits, or tracks. You may notice patches of insect bites that resemble clusters of pimples. You may feel itching that becomes worse over time and at night, and you may notice rashes that develop all over your body. In addition to the burrowing lines that appear on your skin, you may notice the sores that result from the mites' digging.

Causes/Risk Factors

The movement of the mites below the skin causes itching, which intensifies after the mite lays eggs.

Scabies affects people of all ages all over the world. It spreads through direct contact and through shared clothing and bedding. It is common for entire families to develop an infection.

The condition tends to affect populations of elderly individuals, especially in hospitals or geriatric facilities. People with HIV are at risk for developing extensive and abnormal scaling and crusting on the skin.

Tests/Diagnosis

A doctor will need to diagnose the condition by examining the skin under a microscope to check for burrowing track marks. Most likely, the doctor will take a skin sample to examine. It can be difficult to identify burrowing paths since they are scarce and since the patient might have scratched the skin. A doctor might rub the affected area with a fountain pen or with a special solution that glows under a certain type of light. A person with scabies will have an "s" pattern from where the mite has burrowed under the skin.

Treatment

Scabies is treated most commonly through oral and topical drugs. Many people use a sulphur-based soap to skill the mite. Topical creams are available by prescription and over the counter. Generally, prescription treatments are more effective in killing the mite. A doctor might prescribe a dose of an oral medication to kill the mite. This medication is not for everyone. Through treatment, most people can recover completely from scabies.