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Scabies - What You Need To Know

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention human scabies is caused by an infestation of the skin by the human itch mite. The scabies mite will burrow itself into the upper layer of the skin, where it will live and lay its eggs.

Who it affects?

According to Webmd.com;
Scabies occurs worldwide and affects people of all ages, races, incomes and social levels. Even those who shower two to three times a day are still at risk to get scabies. How is scabies spread?

Scabies mites spread by close contact with someone who has scabies. Scabies can also be spread by sharing personal items or being in close contact at different institutions;

Towels
Bed sheets
Toothbrushes
Make-up
Clothes
Other personal belongings
Nursing homes
Prisons
Extended-care facilities, etc.

Did you know?
You can spread scabies to another person before you even begin to notice symptoms.

What are the symptoms? According to Webmd.com;
Scabies causes severe itching that usually worsens at night. Unfortunately, small children and older adults tend to have worse itching. Children usually have worse skin reactions.

If you have never had scabies before, your symptoms might not show up for several weeks. If it is not your first time to have scabies, your symptoms could develop within a few days.

Diagnoses
Scabies can be diagnosed by a doctor identifying the mite, mite eggs, or mite fecal matter. This can be done by;

Simply scraping off a piece of dry skin from the infected area and examining it under a microscope.
Removing a mite from the end of its burrow using the tip of a needle and examining it under a microscope.

How long can scabies live?
On a person, scabies mites can live for as long as 1-2 months. Off a person, scabies mites usually don't survive any longer than 48-72 hours. Scabies mites will die if exposed to a temperature of 50°C (122°F) for 10 minutes. (cdc.gov)

Can scabies be treated?
Yes. Unfortunately, scabies will not go away on its own though. You will need to use a special cream or lotion prescribed by a doctor. In more severe cases, your doctor may give you pills to take.

According to webmd.com some scabies medicines are not safe for children, older adults, and women who are pregnant or breast feeding. Be sure to ask your doctor which treatment options are right for you and be sure to follow your doctor's and pharmacist instructions carefully. To learn more on when to call a doctor, visit:

http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/tc/scabies-when-to-call-a-doctor

Who should be treated?

Anyone who has symptoms.
Those who have close skin to skin contact to someone who has been diagnosed.

All persons should be treated at the same time in order to prevent reinfestation. Once you begin treatment it is important to treat the bedding and clothing of the person(s) affected in order to destroy any live scabies mites in the home.

After treatment
The itching will usually last another 2-4 weeks. If you still have symptoms after four weeks, you may need another round of treatment.

In the winter more of us are in close quarters with each other, that is why the spread of scabies is much more prominent in the winter time. It is always important to wash your hands after being in close contact with others.

Sources:
http://www.realsimple.com/health/first-aid-health-basics/why-people-sick-often-winter-10000001144224/index.html http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/scabies/ http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/tc/scabies-topic-overview http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/tc/scabies-home-treatment

Missouri