Scabies is a skin infestation caused by a mite known as Sarcoptes scabiei. If not treated, these microscopic mites can live on your skin for months. They breed on the surface of your skin, then burrow in it and lay eggs. This causes a red, itchy rash to form on the skin.

Approximately 130 million Trusted Source cases of scabies occur in the world at any given time. While it is an extremely contagious condition that can easily be passed from one person to another through direct skin contact, scabies is not a sexually transmitted disease.

Infestation of mites can also be spread by infested clothing or bedding. There is no need for physical touch. While scabies can be bothersome, they can typically be effectively removed. Treatment also consists of drugs to destroy scabies and their larvae. Since scabies are so infectious, doctors will generally prescribe medication for a whole group of people who are in close contact with a person who has scabies.

 

Symptoms

The characteristic signs of scabies include rash and severe itching that worsens at night. Continuous scratching of the infected region can cause sores that are infected. Additional treatment with antibiotics for skin infection could be prescribed if this happens.

Common regions for scabies in older children and adults include:

• wrist
• elbow
• armpit
• nipple
• penis
• waist
• buttocks
• area between the fingers

The rash itself may consist of tiny bites, hives, bumps under the skin, or pimple-like bumps. Often burrow traces of a mite can be seen on the body. They can appear as thin, elevated or discolored lines.

 

Causes of Scabies

Scabies is the consequence of a thin, eight-legged mite infestation. These bugs are so tiny that you can't feel them on your flesh, but you can definitely feel their effects.

The mites burrow into the top layer of your skin to survive and feed. Female mites are going to lay eggs. Your skin will respond to the mites and their waste, and you will grow a red, itchy skin rash. These mites are quickly transferred between humans. Direct skin-to - skin touch is the most common method of infestation sharing. The mites can also be dispersed through infested:

• furniture
• clothes
• bedding

 

Treatment of Scabies

Treatment for scabies typically includes treating the infestation with prescription ointments, creams, and lotions that can be applied directly to the skin. Oral drugs are also available. Your doctor will presumably advise you to take the drug at night when the mites are more active. You may need to treat the whole skin from the neck down. You should wash the medicine out the next morning.

Some common medicines used to treat scabies include:

• 5 percent permethrin cream
• 25 percent benzyl benzoate lotion
• 10 percent sulfur ointment
• 10 percent crotamiton cream
• 1 percent lindane lotion

 

REFERENCES

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4614097/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK544306/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1215558/

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