Although just about anyone, at any time has the potential to get scabies, there are specific groups of people that are at greater risk.  There are also certain behaviors that can put you at greater risk of contracting scabies.  Although sometimes there are circumstances beyond your control that can put you into one of these groups, being aware of this might help you avoid scabies, or failing that, make it possible for you to identify and treat them early on.

Groups at Risk

One of the largest and most susceptible groups is that comprised of infants and small children.  In general, children are more likely to have vulnerable immune systems. In addition, they can often be placed in situations where they are in close proximity to others who might be carriers.   Children in day care and school classrooms are exposed to any number of “bugs” and scabies is just one of many they might come into contact with.  Children in developing countries are the most vulnerable of all, since they often lack adequate nutrition, hygiene and medical care.

The elderly are also at greater risk than the general population.  Their immune systems tend to be weaker, they might be suffering from other illnesses that make them vulnerable to parasitic infestations and skin conditions, and adult foster homes and care centers are ideal environments in which scabies can spread.

Another group at high risk is those whose immune systems are already compromised.  Those suffering from multiple sclerosis, lupus, Grave’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis or HIV are much more likely to contract any number of conditions, and have a much harder time getting rid of them.  They often don’t respond to treatment, need multiple treatment cycles, or need to try a larger variety of remedies before finally seeing some results.

Lastly, anyone who has to live in an institutional setting is at a higher risk of getting scabies. Those in any type of long-term care, assisted living, mental hospital or prison are more likely to get any number of communicable diseases. By the same token, people living in otherwise crowded conditions, especially in the developing world are at similar risk.

Bottom line;  if you are very young or old, have a compromised immune system, or live in very close contact with many other people, you are at a much higher risk of getting scabies.

Risky Behaviors

Unlike many other communicable diseases, there is no specific behavior that guarantees you will get scabies.  By the same token, there is no specific behavior you can stop that can guarantee you won’t get scabies.  There are however, a few behaviors that will make it easier for you to get scabies from someone who is carrying it.

One behavior that can make it easier to get scabies is being sexually active, especially with more than one partner.  While scabies is not a sexually transmitted disease, the skin-to-skin contact of sexual activity can increase the odds of getting scabies from someone who is carrying it.  A larger number of partners simply increase the odds that you will run into someone who has it.  Since most first-time scabies sufferers can go a number of weeks before displaying any symptoms, it can be impossible to tell who can pass it on to you.  There really is no way to mitigate this risk without curtailing the number of sexual partners you have.

Although it may not seem like a choice for some, working in a very crowded or institutional environment can increase the risk of contracting scabies.  Just as those who live in care centers and prisons are more likely to get scabies, so are the staff who works there.  If you get sick easily, have allergies or very sensitive skin, you might seriously consider a different line of work, rather than risk constantly exposing yourself to any number of communicable conditions.

Another behavior that can increase the risk of contracting scabies can be sharing bed linens and towels.  Scabies mites can live without a human host for about 36 hours, and they often do so in beds and bathrooms where there are fabrics where they can hide.  The more people you have sharing a bed or bathroom, the greater the chances of one person spreading scabies to everyone else.  If you share a bed, be sure to wash the sheets often, and make sure every household member has their own towel.  Make sure that clothes and linens are washed often.  Cleanliness isn’t a guarantee of scabies prevention, but being scrupulous about it can help keep it from spreading, even if one family member gets it.

While you may not be able to avoid belonging to a high-risk group, just knowing that you belong to the group can help you do your best to avoid getting scabies, or seeking treatment as soon as you think you might have it, so you can start getting better as soon as possible.

Certain groups, like children, the elderly and those with immune disorders are more susceptible to scabies. There are also some behaviors that create a higher risk.

Scabies is a fairly common skin condition which is nonetheless often misunderstood or confused with other conditions. Quite simply, it is a rash caused when scabies mites, also known as Sarcoptes scabiei burrow under the skin, causing redness and itching.  Here are some of the things you need to know about scabies.

What Happens

When your skin first becomes infested with scabies mites, it can take a few weeks before your skin develops sensitivity towards them.  You can be carrying, and passing on the mites long before you show any symptoms.

During this time, the mites burrow under the top layer of skin, laying eggs and leaving waste as they go. Once your body develops some sensitivity, an allergic reaction is triggered, which causes the itching. Proper treatment destroys the eggs and the mites, and gradually, the itching goes away.

If you’ve had scabies once, your body will be much more sensitive, and if you become infested again, you will exhibit symptoms immediately.  In any event, it is important to seek treatment as soon as you are showing symptoms, so you don’t develop complications like bacterial infections.

Symptoms

The most common symptom of scabies is severe itching that tends to be worst at night.  It is also often more severe in children than in adults, although elderly adults may also experience more severe itching.  At first, the itching is usually most noticeable right after bathing, and can be mistaken for dry skin.  The itching is an allergic reaction to the mites, their eggs and their waste, which they leave under the skin as they burrow.

If you look closely at the irritated areas, you might be able to see little curving tracks in the skin. At times, you might even be able to see the mite itself, or small blisters.  Scratching the skin will often make it more difficult to see the tracks, however. On babies, blisters can be more difficult to spot, and the rash is likely to appear simply as red, inflamed skin.

Some areas where scabies is most likely to appear are around the navel and waistline, the buttocks, between the fingers and the inside of the wrist, on the outside of the elbows or in the armpits. In men, they can also appear on the genitals, and on women, around the nipples and sides of the breasts.  In babies and small children, scabies may also appear on the face and neck, palms of the hands and soles of the feet.

Diagnosis

A doctor should be able to recognize scabies from your symptoms.  To confirm, a skin sample can be taken to see if mites can be spotted under a microscope.  The sample is just a small scraping of surface skin cells and is quite painless for most people.  Your doctor may also ask questions to find out if you’ve recently been in contact with others who have similar symptoms.

Treatment

Once scabies is identified, there are several ways to treat it. It will not go away on its own.  In most cases, a prescription cream or lotion, used as instructed, is enough to make it go away.  In more severe cases, pills may be prescribed.   Not all of these medications are safe for babies, small children, pregnant or breast-feeding women, so always follow your doctors instructions.

When you are being treated, anyone else with whom you are in close contact should be treated as well, so the mites can’t be passed back and forth.  You will need to wash all of your bedding, clothes and towels as well.

Once you start treatment, the itching should go away within 2 to 4 weeks.  This is usually how long it takes your body to completely get over an allergic reaction.  If you are still exhibiting symptoms after 4 weeks, consult your doctor.  It may be that not all of the eggs were destroyed and have now hatched, causing the need for another round of treatment.

How Scabies is Spread

In most cases, scabies is spread simply by being in close contact with someone who already has it.  This is especially true if you share bedding, towels and other personal belongings. Scabies can be passed on before symptoms are shown, so a whole household can contract it fairly quickly.  For the same reason, everyone in the same household, or those otherwise in close proximity need to be treated as well.

A common misconception is that scabies is a sexually transmitted disease.  This is not the case. While it can certainly be passed between sexual partners, this can occur through simple proximity and not necessarily sexual contact.

Although scabies is unpleasant and uncomfortable, it is fortunately, quite easy to treat. Knowing the symptoms will help you and your doctor identify it quickly so you can start treatment and take measures to make sure you don’t pass it on to those close to you.

Scabies is a common, easily spread, but easily treated skin condition caused by mites burrowing under the top layer of skin.

As soon as you see the first signs of scabies, schedule an appointment to see your doctor.  The longer you wait, the more likely you are to spread the mites to others around you.  Scabies will not go away on its own, and can’t be treated effectively with non-prescription remedies. Fortunately, scabies is easy to treat with prescription medications, in most cases.  Once your doctor has diagnosed you, he or she can determine the best treatment for you.

Creams

The most common, and usually most effective treatment for scabies is a prescription cream called permethrine. One treatment cycle of this cream stops the scabies infestation for most people, and it is safe for use on infants as young as 2 months.  The cream is applied to the entire body, from the neck down, and left on for 8-14 hours before being washed off.  On infants, the cream is also applied to the neck, face and scalp, with care taken to avoid the eyes and mouth.

In most cases, treatment takes 1-3 days.  It is safe for children to return to school or daycare after treatment has been completed and all of the cream has been washed off. Check with your doctor to find out exactly how long treatment should be continued.

Some other topical ointments used in scabies treatment are lindane, which is considerably more toxic than permethrine and is used only when other treatment has failed. Because it can have harmful side effects, it is especially important to use lindane exactly as directed by your doctor. Incorrect or overuse can be dangerous, because it can cause permanent damage to the central nervous system. It is usually prescribed as a single application.  It is not recommended for those with a weakened immune system, those who weigh less than 100 pounds, children, and the elderly, or pregnant or nursing women.

A sulfur ointment is sometimes used to treat pregnant and nursing women because it is safe and mild.  It is also generally less effective than permethrine, however.  Crotamiton is another ointment used only rarely because it is less dependable in killing the mites and their eggs.

Pills

On occasion, a doctor may choose to prescribe an oral treatment for scabies. Invermectin is an anti-parasitic medication taken in pill form.  Its primary use is to kill roundworms, but has a secondary use in treating scabies and head lice.

Antibiotics may be prescribed only if a secondary skin infection develops. This usually doesn’t happen as long as you get treatment promptly.

Other Treatments

Even though the treatments listed above work well in the majority of scabies cases, there are some instances where more serious treatment is needed.  One such instance is if nodular scabies develop.  This happens when there is an unusually strong allergy to the mites, and results in hard, itchy reddish nodules, which sometimes remain long after the mites are dead. In cases like these, steroids might be injected into the nodules.  A less common treatment is the application of coal tar products to the affected area.

Another, more severe form of scabies is crusted or Norwegian scabies.  This is a highly contagious form because there are an unusually high number of mites found under the skin.  Norwegian scabies are usually found in people who have other infectious diseases or a weakened immune system.  In fact, scabies this severe can lead doctors to order HIV testing because it can indicate a severely compromised immune system.  Since Norwegian scabies often doesn’t respond to the usual treatments, doctors may try several in combination, such as a serious topical treatment like lindane together with invermectin pills.

Sometimes, steroid creams and even steroid pills can be prescribed for severe cases of scabies.  These however, just help to relieve the itch and don’t kill the mites themselves, so need to be used in conjunction with other medicines.

Even though over the counter treatments are not strong enough to kill scabies mites, there are some products that can help provide relief from the itch.  One popular anti itch remedy is Benadryl cream or spray.  Antihistamine pills, commonly used for cold or allergy relief, can also be effective in relieving the itching.  Be sure to check with your doctor before administering any of these to a child or infant.

There are a few other things to consider in conjunction with scabies treatments.  First of all, make sure that anyone in your household, or with who you are otherwise in close contact, receives treatment as well.  You don’t want to have family members and friends keep passing it around because one or two people didn’t receive proper treatment. Also, don’t hesitate to return to your doctor if your symptoms aren’t significantly better within 14 days of starting treatment.  If the first round didn’t work, the sooner you start on a second one, the sooner you will be free of the itching and irritation.

Scabies is fortunately easy to treat with a prescription cream, and in some cases, prescription pills. A few other methods are reserved for harder cases.

Even though scabies is a fairly common skin condition, there are a number of myths, urban legends and misconceptions about it.  It is quite simply, parasitic mites that burrow under the skin, causing an allergic reaction. Unfortunately, many people don’t have a basic understanding of what it is, which can cause them to misdiagnose it, or pursue an improper course of treatment.  Here are some of the common myths about scabies.

Scabies mites are “jumpers:” In this case, it’s possible that scabies mites are being confused with fleas.  In reality, scabies mites cannot jump or fly, and actually move very slowly.  They are still successful in moving from person to person when there is protracted contact, or by living in bedding or upholstery until the next human host comes along.

Only dirty people get scabies: Because cleanliness is so heavily emphasized in the treatment of scabies, some people assume that only those with poor hygiene are at risk of getting scabies.  In reality, even the cleanest people and environments can get scabies if someone carrying it comes into contact with them.  Many people who live in a less than hygienic environment never get scabies, and many who are scrupulously clean get it anyway.  There is no question however, that thorough cleaning is imperative if you want to get rid of scabies mites once someone in your household has contracted them.

Scabies is a sexually transmitted disease:  Although it is entirely possible to get scabies during sexual intercourse, it is not a sexually transmitted disease.  A great many people get it without being involved in sexual activity and children and infants are among the most susceptible. Of course, sexual activity is an ideal time to contract scabies because of protracted close contact. In addition, men can sometimes show scabies symptoms in the genital area, further contributing to the myth that it is sexually transmitted.

You can get scabies from animals: While you might get scabies mites from your dog, they are not the same kind of mites that will burrow under your skin.  You might experience some brief irritation on the surface of your skin, but the mites that live on some animals cannot survive on a human, so you shouldn’t have any longer-term effects.

Once you’ve had scabies, you won’t get it again: Scabies is not at all like chicken pox in this respect.  While a great many people will never have it again if they treat it properly, almost anyone can get it again when exposed to a carrier.  In fact, some are very susceptible and get it over and over again.  This is especially true if not all members of a household are treated, or the environment hasn’t been thoroughly cleaned, so scabies mites can “make the rounds” again.

Permethrin causes a rash on most people:  Permethrin is the most common treatment of scabies.  It is a topical cream that is applied to the whole body from the neck down and washed off after about 8 hours.  This is usually repeated about three times as a course of treatment.  While a few people have experienced an adverse reaction to permethrin, the vast majority of those who use it don’t have any side effects.

Scabies mites are “blood feeders:” Some envision scabies mites as leech-like creatures that suck your blood, but in fact, they stay very close to the surface of your skin.  Most of those affected never experience any bleeding at all, unless they happen to scratch too deeply in response to the itching. Even though scabies mites burrow, they tend to stay on the top layer of skin. Since they are so tiny, they seem to have no need to go deeper.

Adults can’t get scabies above the neck: This myth has probably arisen for two reasons. The first is because treatment with permethrin is specifically for below the neck.  This is not because there can be no scabies infestation above the neck; it is because permethrin can be dangerous if it comes into contact with the eyes, mouth or mucus membranes, so doctors recommend applying it below the neck only just to be safe.  The other reason is that infants are far more likely to have scabies symptoms on their face and scalp than adults are.  Just because it is less likely doesn’t mean that it never happens, however. While adults usually experience symptoms primarily below the neck, a minority has them on the scalp and face and need to use treatments other than permethrin in those areas.

These are just some of the most common myths and misconceptions about scabies.  The more people understand what it really is and what its causes are, the more they can do to prevent it when possible, and successfully treat it. Before acting on information you get from your friends or unreliable sources, check with your doctor.

There are a number of myths and urban legends about scabies. It’s best to talk to your doctor before acting on any of them.

Even though scabies can usually be treated effectively and fairly quickly, there are cases when longer-term effects remain.  Because it can be confused with other conditions, or sometimes ignored if not too severe, it might go some time before being treated.  When that is the case, there is a bigger chance of experiencing long term effects.

Even though generally not a serious condition, there is no doubt that scabies is extremely unpleasant and uncomfortable. For this reason alone, it would seem that prevention would be ideal. Unfortunately, this can be difficult, mostly because it is very difficult to tell who is carrying the scabies mites if they aren’t showing symptoms.  Still, there are a few things you can do to minimize the chances of getting scabies.

Scabies is a very unpleasant skin condition that is unfortunately, highly contagious.  You don’t even have to show symptoms in order to pass it on to others around you.  It is caused by scabies mites burrowing into your skin, leaving waste and eggs as they go.  As the eggs hatch, more mites are created, causing the itchy red areas to spread rapidly.  Scabies is transmitted, very simply, when the mites move from one person to another.  Since they can live for up to 36 hours without a human host, there is risk of contracting it without even coming into direct contact with another person.

Common Methods of Transmission

Scabies mites are most commonly spread from one person to another through skin-to-skin contact.  The mites cannot jump or fly, and move very slowly, so they have their best chance of moving to another host among people who share a bed, or who have other close physical contact.  So, it’s very common for husbands and wives to transmit to each other, or parents to children, especially when the children are young enough to still be frequently held or carried.

Another common way scabies is spread is through shared towels, bed linens and clothes. They can live in a variety of environments for at least a day, so even upholstery is a good place for the mites to live until they find another host.  One of the hardest parts of treating scabies effectively is making sure that every single item that could assist in transmission is cleaned.

Having rough or wrinkled areas of skin means it’s easier for scabies mites to burrow under it in those areas.  The knees, knuckles and elbows are all prime areas for scabies mites to get a foothold.  Scratching affected areas often also means that the mites will be spread over the area you are scratching more easily and rapidly.

Once a mite has burrowed under the skin, the females start laying eggs and usually manage to lay 10 to 25 before dying.  Larvae are hatched from the eggs about 2 to 3 days later, and move to the skin’s surface, where they grow into adulthood in about 14 days. The young mites then continue the cycle of laying eggs and hatching, and this continues until treatment kills them and destroys the eggs.  It is during the adult phase that the mites are most likely to move from one host to another.

What Increases Risk

Scabies is easily transmitted, but there are certain groups that are more likely than others to contract it. If you belong to any of the following groups, you should take extra care and pay attention to any possibly symptoms, being aware that you are more vulnerable to contracting it.

One group that contracts scabies more readily than the general population are those with compromised immune systems.  Those who suffer from HIV or other auto immune disorders are much more likely to react badly from the work of the scabies mites.  An allergic reaction is more likely to develop in the first place, and when it does, it will be much more severe.  Severe cases, like Norwegian scabies, are also much more likely to occur in this group, as are secondary skin infections.

Anyone who has difficulty communicating is at risk for more severe cases of scabies.  Infants, the very elderly, and the disabled are likely to have the symptoms get much worse than they otherwise might in someone who is able to verbally complain about them.

Young people who are sexually active are also at a higher risk.  This is not because scabies is transmitted specifically through sexual activity, but because these people tend to be in close, skin-to-skin contact with others, which is the easiest way for scabies to spread.

Misconceptions about Scabies Transmission

There are two major misconceptions about the way scabies is transmitted.  One is that it is a sexually transmitted disease.  This is partly because, as noted above, the sexually active are a vulnerable group, and also because symptoms often appear in the genital area on males.  However, since those who are sexually active are more likely to be in close physical contact with others, they are at a higher risk for scabies.

Another misconception is that humans can get scabies from animals.  While there are animals that get scabies- dogs for instance- the mites do not cause scabies in humans.  The mites can be transmitted to people from their pets, and cause some itching and irritation, but they will not survive or reproduce on human skin.

Knowing how scabies is transmitted can help you know what you need to do to prevent it.  If you know you are part of an at-risk population, you can be especially cautious in avoiding situations where you might contract it, and you will know that you need to act on the symptoms as soon as you can identify them.

Scabies is highly contagious and is most easily transmitted through physical contact. Some groups of people are at higher risk due to circumstances and behavior.

Eggs are laid by the mites, leading to itching sensation and small blisters. The itchy bumps are referred to as the scabies infection. In scabies: the itch worsens as each day passes, till it is finally treated. Tiny tunnels are dug into the skin by the wee itch mites causing a lot of irritation and itching. Ticks and spiders come from the arachnid family, to which the itch mites also belong. Surface of the skin is the breeding ground for the teeny itch mite which cannot be seen by the naked eye. In scabies: the itch mite is round having eight legs unlike insects that are normally observed with six legs. This mite is microscopic and does not grow bigger than the size of the tip of a pin.

Female itch mites lay eggs in the topmost layer of the skin and die within a month of laying eggs. After the eggs hatch again teeny itch mites grow again and come up to the surface of the skin. Once the male mites and female mites mate, the males die and the females continue to dig or burrow into the skin to lay more eggs. This entire cycle continues for about three weeks. Actually anyone can get infected with scabies, but it is generally younger children and infants who are prone to this infection. The itch mite infects anyone and all it needs is the human skin to thrive, and for this anyone will do.

Scabies: Symptoms and signs of the infection

In scabies, the itch is the most common symptom to identify the infection. After a hot bath and most during the night time, the itching worsens. In its initial stages the scabies itch begins with the development of small pus filled red bumps, or blisters, which keep itching and break if scratched. The infected skin looks crisscrossed with scratch marks and is scabbed and scaly and becomes a thick itchy skin, later on. This development, especially along an exposed area, could be very socially embarrassing.

Common areas on the body which get infected are the folds under the arms, the inner part of the wrists, webs of skin between the toes and fingers, hands as well as feet. Buttocks, navel, genitals, breast areas as well as the elbows are the other areas of the body which get infected with scabies. It feels very unclean when scabies infects you. If the scabies infected skin is scratched and then you touch another part of your body, there are chances of the infection being passed on to the other area of the body. If there is any injured skin, the itch mite infests the areas to a level of complete discomfort.

How to prevent scabies:

It isn’t very difficult to prevent scabies. One of the main reasons of getting infected is through human contact.  Physical contact is the commonest way of transmitting scabies. In scabies, the itch mite lives up to three days in the bedding or clothing. If the same infected towels, linen or infected bed of another infected person is used then it is possible to get the infection. In households it is a better idea if all the members get themselves treated if any one member has been infected with scabies. Hot water should be used to wash every towel, linen, bed sheets and clothing to destroy the itch mites.  If you vacuum the room, then ensure to throw away the vacuum cleaner bag too.

Treatment of scabies:

It is best to take the advice of a qualified medical practitioner. Many a times we tend to ignore the scabies infection. Sometimes the situation may worsen, after which you may have to go to the doctor, but at a later stage the treatment takes more time. Children get helpless with this infection. In scabies, the itch mite which thrives in the webbed part of the fingers and toes as well as the area around the wrists creates a lot of discomfort.

The itching is known to worsen at night and get very irritating. If the condition is very bad, the doctor may scrape out a part of the infected area and observe it under the microscope. Once there are signs of scabies mites, treatment is administered accordingly. Avoid close contact with people in crowded places, as you never know who is infected with scabies. Most common places where mites are found are camps, childcare centers, classrooms, college dorms etc. If you touch someone with scabies: the itch mite is sure to pass on to you. Avoid using towels, clothing and linen of other people, especially those infected with scabies. A number of ointments and creams are available which provide instant relief. However if you find that the infection has not gone, you may have to change the line of treatment.

Those who live in an unhygienic surrounding are the ones who are most prone to the scabies infection. With the availability of natural treatment options for scabies dealing with the malady becomes easier. Anyone who gets in contact with the infected person has higher chances of developing the infection. Scabies infection is an indication that you are probably not maintaining adequate personal hygiene. It is therefore always advised that with scabies around you need to pay special attention to personal hygiene.

Hairless areas like the wrists, the elbows, webs of fingers and toes, waist, navel, breasts and genitals are areas which get commonly infected. The infected person has to put up with severe itching sensation all the time, which worsens more during the night. The person desires to keep scratching to get relief, and by doing this, small blisters filled with fluid are formed. These vestibules bleed and form scabs. If you resort to natural treatment options for scabies, the cure is sure and most beneficial in the long run.

Major symptoms:

Itchy vesicular eruption on the skin is the main symptom of scabies which only worsens during night time. There is feeling of intense scratching all the time with pus formation, blisters and inflammation on the skin. This can be reduced by a number of natural treatment options for scabies. Borrow like appearances which are reddish, brown or gray are observed on the skin. Such a condition indicates infection of scabies. The infection generally occurs on areas near the elbow wrists, webs of the fingers and toes, buttocks, private parts and folds under the armpits. If proper hygiene is not maintained, chances of developing scabies are more. You feel restless with the continuous itching sensation which keeps increasing till the infection is treated.

Natural home remedies:

There are a number of natural treatment options for scabies. Scabies is treated by simple and effective home based treatment options. They are simple to administer and help in relieving pain, itching as well as reducing the growth of parasites within the skin.

Paste of Margosa (Neem) leaves and mustard oil should be mixed with turmeric powder and applied on the affected part and left for one hour at least. This paste is known to work miracles in the treatment of scabies.

Neem is one of the natural treatment options for scabies. Neem is widely used for its antiseptic, antifungal and antibacterial properties. A decoction should be prepared by boiling the bark of the neem tree and applied on the affected area continuously for some days, till the infection goes away.

Tea tree oil is another natural treatment options for scabies. The itching on the skins stops naturally as the skin gets healed. Tea tree oil helps in killing the eggs as well as the mites under the skin. Add a few drops of tea tree oil in your warm bath water and bathe twice a day with this additive. With the help of cotton wool you can also apply the oil on the affected part at least twice a day. You need to invest in continuous treatment for at least twenty days.

Camphor is another natural home treatment option for scabies. Besides scabies camphor is used in other skin ailments too. Camphor mixed in coconut oil and applied on the affected part is a great reliever.

Sulphur mixed with ghee is an excellent home remedy too. Ghee and the sulphur should be heated on a low flame till all the sulphur dissolves. When cool, apply this mixture on the affected area twice a day which is extremely beneficial in the treatment.

Mint leaves can also be used in treating scabies. The juice of mint leaves should be extracted and applied on the affected area a number of times for relief.

Precautions to be taken:

Ensure to keep the bedding, towels and linen clean always after taking the above home treatment to avoid further infection. There could be some mites still in the room and this increases the risk of re-infection. Scabies infects mostly smaller children as they play outdoors and touch all and sundry. Children like to play in mud etc. and hence can develop infection quickly. Secondly scabies spreads through human touch and kids maintain physical contact with other kids a lot which increases the risk of infection.

With the availability of natural treatment options for scabies, it becomes easier for mothers to treat the infection at home itself. Children are affected by it when they are in their tender years, and since the infection can be treated with external application of different home remedies, it becomes easier to treat it at home itself. Take care of home hygiene. Keep bed sheets, linen, pillows clean to avoid infection. Even after treatment ensure to keep the surroundings as well as your linen and clothes clean to prevent the reoccurrence of scabies.

In contrast to insects with six legs, itch mites have eight. These small parasites which are very tiny, just 1/3 millimeter in length, but are capalble of much irritation and discomfort! It is because they burrow into the skin that intense itching develops especially during the night. A condition called scabies develops which cannot be seen with the naked eye. A microscope or a magnifying glass is used to observe the mites which cause scabies. Most of the time children get infected with scabies.

How does one get infected with scabies?

It is necessary to know everything about scabies, if you want to prevent yourself from being infected. Person to person contact of the skin is usually the cause behind the spreading of the infection. The scabies mite is very sensitive to its environment. Under most conditions the mites are able to live off the host body for about a day or two. The mites may not be spread in schools, where students mostly sit a little away from each other. However, other forms of physical contact like a child being hugged by the mother, sexual contact, too much of physical togetherness between friends and relatives could be some of the reasons for contracting the infection.

Children should be made to understand everything about scabies as they are the ones who get affected the most. Chances of getting infected by shaking hands are few. One could get infected by sharing bed clothes, or using another person’s clothes. Other types of itch mites infect animals like cats and dogs too. Human scabies is not spread by animals. Mange is a kind of scabies on dogs. If any of the feline or canine mites come in contact with human skin, they produce a mild itching sensation on the skin which goes away after some time. In humans, scabies has to be treated in time or it worsens as time progresses.

Symptoms and signs of scabies:

Those who know everything about scabies are able to recognize the condition very easily. Scabies looks like a skin rash affecting specific areas of the body only. The back of the elbow, wrists, area around the waist, area around the nipples, buttocks, genital area, umbilicus, the knees, the auxiliary folds, the sides and the back of the feet and most commonly the web area between the fingers are scabies-hit. Small blisters and red bumps appear on the skin which indicates scabies infection. The red bumps are called papules in medical terms and contain blood crusts. There may be many red bumps, but not all of them are indicative of the bugs.

Although hundreds of pimples or ‘bugs’ could appear; but only a few have live mites in them. We find that a lot of children develop the scabies rash on the soles of the feet, the palms, the neck, face and head. The condition is not found in so much in older children and adults, as generally they are equipped to maintain better hygiene than small children. In most of the medical textbooks online and offline, everything about scabies is described in detail. They are described as tunnels or burrows, which appear red, brown or grey tiny threadlike projections that usually disappear on scratching the region. An itchy skin condition with linear scratch marks could develop in older people, and these are often mistaken for burrows.

Curing scabies:

A qualified medical practitioner is the one person who will be able to tell you everything about scabies and in detail. Scabicide drugs prescribed by a qualified medical practitioner are administered for curing scabies. Most of the over the counter preparations are not effective all the time. For treating scabies one can apply mite killer topical creams on the affected area at night and then wash off the residual cream in the morning. Repeated application of the cream is required for a period of at least one week. Different types of creams are available in the market, which are effective in the treatment of scabies. Instructions should be read carefully before application.

There are some medications that can be taken orally, but only after being prescribed by a qualified doctor. You may know everything about scabies but it is always better to take the advice of a doctor. This is very necessary if the infection is of the higher end, to prevent allied infections. Wash bed clothes and linen in hot water as a preventive measure. There is no need to clean out or do away with the entire wardrobe as mites don’t live long away from the human body. Everything about scabies has to be understood because it is only then that you can take the required precautions for preventing the infection. If you notice that the condition is not getting cured with appropriate medication, further clinical diagnosis may be required.