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Scabies

Scabies is an itchy skin condition caused by the microscopic mite Sarcoptes scabei. It is common all over the world, and it affects people of all races and social classes. Scabies spreads quickly in crowded conditions where there is frequent skin-to-skin contact between people. Hospitals, child-care centers and nursing homes are examples. Scabies can easily infect sex partners and other household members. Sharing clothes, towels, and bedding can also spread scabies. You cannot get scabies from a pet. Pets get a different mite infection called mange.

Symptoms are

Several lotions are available to treat scabies. The infected person's clothes, bedding and towels should be washed in hot water and dried in a hot dryer.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Scabies on Wikipedia

'''Scabies''' is a transmissible ectoparasite skin infection characterized by superficial burrows, intense pruritus (itching) and secondary infection. The word 'scabies' is Latin for 'itch'.

Etiology

Caused by the mite ''Sarcoptes scabiei'', variety hominis, it produces intense, itchy skin rashes when the impregnated female tunnels into the stratum corneum of the skin and deposits eggs in the burrow. The larvae, which hatch in 3-10 days, move about on the skin, molt into a "nymph (biology)al" stage, and then mature into adult mites. The adult mites live 3-4 weeks in the host's skin. The motion of the mite in and on the skin produces an intense itch which may resemble an allergic reaction in appearance. The presence of the eggs produces a massive allergic response which, in turn, produces more itching. Scabies is transmitted readily, often throughout an entire household, by prolonged skin-to-skin contact with an infected person (e.g. bed partners), and thus is sometimes classed as a sexually transmitted disease. Spread by clothing, bedding or towels is a less significant risk, though possible.

Signs, Symptoms, and Diagnosis

A delayed hypersensitivity (allergic) response resulting in a papular eruption (red, elevated area on skin) often occurs 30-40 days after infestation. While there may be hundreds of papules, less than 10 burrows are typically found. The burrow appears as a fine, wavy and slightly scaly line a few millimeters to one centimeter long. A tiny mite (0.3 - 0.4mm) may sometimes be seen at the end of the burrow. Most burrows occur in the webs of fingers, flexing surfaces of the wrists, around elbows and armpits, the areolae of the breasts in females and on genitals of males, along the belt line, and on the lower buttocks. The face usually does not become involved in adults. The rash may become secondarily infected; scratching the rash may break the skin ...   [ Read More ]

External Resources

Mites Medically Important to Humans - University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension factsheet and audio focused on house dust mites and the scabies mite, Sarcoptes scabiei.

Not Nice to Lice - Head Lice, Body Lice and Scabies - history, biology and non-toxic controls. Information on poison treatments. Compare non-toxic solutions.

Lice and Lindane - DrGreene.com - Read an article explaining the adverse effects of using a common pesticide to treat head lice and scabies.

Scabies - Medinfo - Health information for patients with scabies, an itchy condition of the skin caused by a mite (Sarcoptes scabiei). Includes symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment and advice. Written by a UK general practitioner.

Scabies - So What's Itching you? Information on scabies from Stephen Tvedten's book.

RXinsider - An informational monograph on scabies for patient education and counseling.

I've Got You Under My Skin - Scabies FAQ at The National Pediculosis Association®, Inc., the national clearing house on head lice and scabies issues.

Scabies - Online pamphlet from the American Academy of Dermatology.

How To Treat Scabies - DrGreene.com - Practical advice about scabies treatment and prevention.

Scabies Facts - Factsheet with cause, signs and symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment.

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