How Does It Spread?
Scabies can spread by direct contact with the infected individuals or by contact with body hair or contaminated linens (Sarcoptes can live more than 2 days on clothing). In the case of a first contact with the parasite, the incubation period is about 21 days. During this time, the patient is contagious, but he does not know that he is the bearer of mite. After about three weeks, the body develops an allergic reaction to parasites, their eggs and their fecal material; intense itching of the skin develops, which is exacerbated by heat (at night or after bathing). The patients notice similar symptoms in other family members or sexual partners. With treatment, scabies mites are killed and the itching disappears gradually within a few days or weeks.
The recurrence of infection leads to symptoms in a much shorter period, about 1-3 days. Without proper treatment, the duration of lesions can last for weeks or months. There are forms of infection that lasts for years. Scabies will not heal by itself. The only forms that disappear without treatment are those transmitted by animals.
Symptoms of The Disease
At the onset of the disease, a more or less pronounced skin rash may present. Tiny curves traces can be observed in the areas where the mite is located. These are the tunnels dug by females. At the end of the lesion, a small blister or the parasite itself can be seen.
The most common areas were the lesions could be spotted are:
* between fingers
* on the outside of the fold of the elbow and elbow
* around the waist and navel
* buttocks
* around the nipples, bra line, the sides of the breast
* on the genitals (in men).
Lesions in children may occur on the scalp, face, palms and soles. Later in the disease, the so-called secondary lesions develop, which include:
* Scratching lesions, sometimes covered by a crust;
* Areas of red, dry, scaly, irritated skin;
* Lesions in the shape of nodules.
Treatment For Scabies
The itching may persist for several weeks after the eradication of the infestation, and this is explained by the fact that it is an allergic reaction to parasite antigens. Both infected individuals and the persons who live in the same space have to be treated whether they show symptoms or not.
Local treatments are effective after skin hydration, for instance after taking a bath. The medicine is applied on the body from the neck down, focusing on the genitals, around the nails and behind ears. In young children, drugs are applied to the scalp, face and neck, but parents need to avoid the area around the mouth and eyes. Medication needs 8-14 hours to act and then it is washed away.
The following active substances are effective in killing the parasites that cause scabies: 5% permethrin cream, 1% lindane cream, 2-10% sulfide ointment; 10% crotamiton cream, 10-25% benzyl benzoate solution, and ivermectin.
For itching, the doctor will prescribe antihistamines or corticosteroid creams. It is very important to use this creams only with the doctor’s prescription, otherwise you risk complications that can leave permanent skin scars. It is necessary to use antibiotics to treat secondary skin infections.
For more info- http://www.methodsofhealing.com/the-infection-with-scabies/
