OVERVIEW

What is scabies?

Scabies is itchy skin condition in which a mite called Sarcoptesscabiei infests skin. It is contagious and it spreads rapidly from infected person to another through skin-to-skin contact. It can be diagnosed clinically and can be managed easily with available treatment options.

CAUSES

What is cause of scabies?

Scabies mite is eight legs white brownish-colored insect, which is almost not visible to naked eyes. Female mite infests skin and lays eggs in skin. The parent mite dies in 1-2 months but new eggs hatching give birth to new mite, which comes to skin surface to repeat the cycle. According to studies a scabies infected person typically has around 12 mites at any given time. After infection symptoms start appearing in 3-4 weeks. The mite survives for 24-36 hours once they are not in contact with skin but in cold they may survive little longer. That’s why scabies is more common in winter than summer. Overcrowding is also a risk factor for spread.

How is scabies spread?

• Skin to skin contact (close contact persons like family members are more prone to get infection)
• Sexual contact (specially in young adults)
• Contact with objects of infected person (bedding, clothes)
• From pets (but this mite is different which cant replicate in human skin so this infection resolved on its own in few days)

Who can get infected?

• Close family relatives of infected person (siblings, kids, parents)
• Young adults (sexually active)
• Staff & doctors of nursing homes
• Residents of extended care facilities
• Patient with Prolonged Hospital stay
• Immunocompromised status (specially crusted scabies)

Symptoms

What are the symptoms of scabies?

Typical scabies

• Generalized itching that is more severe at evening or night.
• Lesions are usually small red bumps but sometimes top may be water filled or pus filled. Scaling can be present on top of old skin lesion.
• Sometimes burrow (tunnel sign) can be visible in affected sites.
• Common sites: web spaces and fingers, skin folds like wrist, underarms, groin, behind knees, umbilicus, male genitalia (penis, scrotum), buttocks, thighs and feet. Back and head are usually spared.

• Scabies in children: it can involve whole body including head. Palm and sole may have clear fluid or pus filled skin bumps. Lesions are more in number in under arms. Babies become irritable and stay awake all night because of intense itching.

Crusted Scabies

• Severe form of scabies. Also called “Norwegian scabies”
• More common in immunocompromised people.
• Large crusted red patches and bumps on skin.
• Scalp, hands and feet are more commonly involved.

TREATMENT

How do dermatologists diagnose scabies?

Most of the times clinical examination and history taking is sufficient to make diagnosis. Sometimes skin scrapping from burrow can be taken to see skin under microscope. Presence of egg or mite confirms the diagnosis.

How is scabies treated?

Person will require treatment in form of insecticide to kill the mite, anti-itching medicines and prevention of re-exposure. If lesions are secondarily infected then oral antibiotics can be used.

Insecticides

It can be in cream or lotion form. Sometimes in severe cases oral pill can also be used.

How to use anti scabies cream or lotion?

• Most of the time time of application is night just before sleep
• Taking bath before application increases the effect of anti scabies cream.
• Patient as well as close contacts should apply medicine at same night.
• Adults need to apply 30 gm cream or lotion in one go. They have spread it all over body below neck. Common sites should be applied with little more amount. Patient should not wash his hands after applying medicine.
• Children can apply lesser amount as per need to cover whole body. they need to apply head and face also except eyes and mouth.
• The medicine should be left on body for 6-8 hours.
• In morning. First thing person should do is bathing.
• Wash all the used clothes of last 3-4 days.
• Show sun light to beddings, furniture.

When should patient repeat anti scabies treatment?

• If symptoms have not resolved completely, insecticide should be repeated after 7 days.

For itching

Dermatologist can prescribe Anti-hisaminics in mild itching. If itching is severe topical or oral steroids can be given for short period.

To prevent re-exposure

• Treatment of family members even if there is no symptoms
• Cleaning of all objects that came in contact during infection period.

TIPS

How to prevent head lice spread?

• Identify scabies by night itching and skin bumps on particular sites.
• Don’t spread it to others by making unnecessary contacts or using personal items of non-infected person.
• If you are not infected and living with infected person then avoid making contact with skin or objects of infected person.
• Visit dermatologist as soon as possible for diagnosis and treatment.
• Follow treatment instruction completely to get maximum results.
• Get treatment for close contacts to avoid re-infection.

FAQs

Is scabies serious infection?

Scabies patient may experience severe itching, which is more in night. It may affect sleep at night and then daily activity in daytime. It spread easily to other person. Usually typical scabies is easily treatable but crusted scabies is severe form, which can increase morbidity and longer take time to resolve.

Do all member of family need to be treated?

All close contacts of patients who are living with patient should be treated to avoid re-cycle of mite.

Is scabies STD?

Scabies can be classified as sexually transmitted infection as it may spread from one person to other because of sexual intercourse.

Why should you choose Dr. KothiwalaSkinEva Clinic for Scabies treatment in Jaipur?

• Detailed consultation with best dermatologist in Jaipur, Dr Sunil Kothiwala. MD (AIIMS)
• Accurate diagnosis and to the point treatment

For more information on Scabies or to inquire about other services please contact us on 7669571405.