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.