Scabies

Scabies is a skin problem caused by tiny insects called mites.

Scabies is a very itchy skin rash. It happens when tiny mites, called Sarcoptes scabiei, burrow under your skin. The itching is usually strongest where the mites have dug into your skin, and it can be especially bad at night.

Scabies is highly contagious. This means it can spread very easily from one person to another. It often spreads quickly in places where people are in close contact, like families, childcare centers, schools, nursing homes, or prisons. Because scabies is so contagious, doctors often recommend treating everyone in close contact with the infected person to prevent the mites from spreading.

Scabies is treatable. Doctors use medicated creams or pills to kill the mites and their eggs. Even after treatment, the itching might last for several weeks. It's important to follow your doctor's instructions to help get rid of the mites completely and reduce the itching.

Scabies is a skin condition caused by tiny bugs called mites. It causes intense itching, often worse at night. The mites burrow under the skin, creating tiny, raised, sometimes blister-like tunnels. These tunnels can be seen as thin, wavy lines.

Scabies can appear anywhere on the body, but certain areas are more common. In adults and older children, these include:

• Between the fingers and toes: The skin folds are often affected.
• Armpits: This is a common location.
• Waist area: The skin creases are a likely spot.
• Inside of wrists: The skin around the wrist creases is frequently affected.
• Inner elbows: The creases in the elbows are often affected.
• Soles of the feet: This is a common location for scabies.
• Chest: Scabies can appear on the chest.
• Around nipples: The skin around the nipples can be affected.
• Belly button: The skin around the belly button is a potential location.
• Genitals and groin area: These areas are often affected.
• Buttocks: Scabies can appear on the buttocks.

In babies and young children, common areas include:

• Fingers: These are often affected.
• Face, scalp, and neck: These areas are frequently affected.
• Palms of the hands: The palms of the hands can be affected.
• Soles of the feet: The soles of the feet can be affected.

The time it takes for symptoms to appear after exposure to scabies can vary. If you've had scabies before, symptoms may appear within a few days. If this is your first time with scabies, it might take up to six weeks for symptoms to develop. Importantly, you can spread scabies even before you notice any symptoms.

If you suspect you have scabies, it's crucial to see a healthcare provider. Many other skin conditions, like eczema or dermatitis, can also cause itching and bumps. A doctor can accurately diagnose the cause and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

While over-the-counter antihistamines or lotions can provide some relief from the itching, they won't kill the mites or their eggs. Professional medical treatment is necessary to get rid of the scabies infestation.

If you have itchy skin with small bumps, see a doctor. Many skin problems, like eczema or dermatitis, can cause similar symptoms. A doctor can figure out what's really causing your itchiness so you get the right treatment. Over-the-counter antihistamines or lotions might help with the itching, but they won't kill the tiny bugs (called mites) that cause scabies or get rid of their eggs. So, it's important to see a doctor to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

Scabies is a skin condition caused by tiny bugs called mites. These mites are eight-legged creatures. Female mites burrow just below the surface of your skin, creating a tunnel where they lay their eggs.

Once the eggs hatch, the young mites, called larvae, move to the top layer of skin. There, they grow into adult mites. These mites can then spread to other parts of the body or to other people. The itching you feel is your body's reaction to the mites, their eggs, and their waste. It's like a mild allergic reaction.

You can get scabies by having close physical contact with someone who has it, or, less commonly, by sharing clothes or bedding.

Important note: Pets cannot give you scabies. The mites that cause scabies in animals are different from those that cause scabies in humans, and the animal mites cannot survive or reproduce on human skin.

While touching an animal with scabies might cause a little itching if a mite briefly gets under your skin, the mites won't live there long. These animal mites usually die off within a few days. So, no treatment is needed in this case.

Excessive scratching can damage the skin and lead to infections like impetigo. Impetigo is a skin infection usually caused by bacteria called staph (staph bacteria) or sometimes strep (strep bacteria).

A severe form of scabies, called crusted scabies, is more likely to affect certain groups of people. These include:

• Young children: Their skin is often more delicate.
• People with developmental disabilities: They may have difficulty controlling their urge to scratch.
• People with weakened immune systems: Conditions like HIV, lymphoma, or organ transplants can make them more vulnerable.
• Hospitalized or nursing home residents: Their weakened state can make them more susceptible.
• Older adults in nursing homes: Age-related factors can increase their risk.

Crusted scabies causes the skin to become thick, crusty, and scaly, often affecting large portions of the body. It's highly contagious and can be challenging to treat successfully. Effective treatment typically requires both oral medication (a pill) and a special skin cream applied to the affected areas.

While most people with scabies have only a few mites (10 to 15), crusted scabies can involve millions of mites. Surprisingly, the itching might be mild or even absent in some cases of crusted scabies. This makes early detection and treatment crucial.

To stop scabies from returning and prevent it from spreading to others, follow these steps:

1. Wash everything that might have scabies. Scabies mites and their eggs die when exposed to heat. Wash all your clothes, towels, and bedding used in the last three days with hot, soapy water. After washing, dry everything on high heat. If you can't wash something at home, take it to a dry cleaner.

2. Keep the mites from having food. Items that can't be washed should be put in airtight plastic bags and stored in a place they won't be touched for a week. This helps starve the mites, as they need things like skin flakes to survive. They'll die after a few days without food.

3. Clean your home thoroughly. Cleaning your home is crucial, especially if someone has crusted scabies. This type of scabies can leave a lot of skin flakes and crusts behind, which the mites can live on. Vacuum all furniture, carpets, and floors to remove these scales and crusts. This will help eliminate any remaining mites.

Doctors check for scabies by looking at your skin for signs of tiny mites. Sometimes, a small sample of skin is taken and examined under a powerful microscope. This helps the doctor see if there are any mites or their eggs present in the skin.