Scabies

Definition
Is a contagious skin infestation by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei
Symptoms and Signs
Severe itching more at night
Pimple-like rash
Tiny burrows in the skin
Symptoms start 2-6 weeks after infestation
Areas more prone for skin skin lesions : wrist, between
fingers, waist line, axillae, scrotum, in children head
Excoriations, secondary bacterial infections
Pathophysiology

The mite burrows into the skin to live and deposit eggs.
Allergic reaction to the mites → itching
Transmitted by direct skin contact with an infected person
(the infected person might not have developed symptoms
yet)
Aetiology
Crowded living conditions
Areas with a lack of water supply
Poor immunity
Contact with contaminated objects

Treatment
Permethrin
Crotamiton
Lindane
all creams
Ivermectin pills
All the people in the same house treated at the same time
Bedding and clothing washed in hot water and dried in a hot
dryer
The mite does not live for more than 3 days away from human
skin

Prevention of scabies
Mite - sarcoptes scabei burrow into the skin causing itcing.
Itching persists for 2 weeks even after treatment
1. Avoid skin contact with infested persons
2. Avoid contact with their bedding, clothing, furniture
3. Avoid sexual or other intimate contact with them
4. Casual contact like shaking hands may be permitted
5. Treatment with permethrin for all the contacts in the
household at the same time
6. Permethrin can be used on infants 2 months and older,
Lindane is not for children
7. All the clothes washed in hot water and dried in the hot
sun or using the hottest dryer cycle
8. Since mites do not survive for more than two or three days
away from human skin, furniture can be enclosed in plastic
bags for several days. and kept away.
9. First infestation may not cause itching for upto two
months, but may spread
10. Scabies may be misdiagnosed as pimples or mosquito bites
- henc avoid contact
11. Norwegian, or crusted, scabies is less common but is a
particularly severe form of the condition that requires more
stringent prevention methods, including thorough cleaning of
all rooms used by the affected person.