All ages, races, and income levels are affected by scabs.It isn't related to hygiene.The human itch mite is the cause of scabbies.The human itch mite can only be seen with a microscope.Adult female mites live, feed, and lay their eggs in the upper layer of the skin.The most superficial layer of the skin is the stratum corneum.Follow a few simple steps to learn how to recognize and treat scabies if you think you have them.
Step 1: Look for a lot of itching.
There are many signs of the disease.The earliest one is intense itching.There is an allergic reaction to the adult female mites, their eggs, and their waste.Itching is more severe at night and can interrupt the sleep of some people.
Step 2: There is a rash.
You may develop a rash with the itching.There is an allergic reaction to the mite.The rash can be described as redness and inflammation.Mites like to burrow into the skin of certain parts of the body.The hands, along with the skin folds of the wrist, elbow, or knee, the waist, and the penis, are the most common places for adults to have an itchy rash.The most common places for children to be bitten are the face, neck, palms, and soles of the feet.
Step 3: You should watch for burrows.
Small burrows can be seen on the skin when you have scabies.These are small raised and crooked lines on the surface of the skin.They are usually more than a millimeter long.Most people with an average of 10 to 15 mites have a hard time finding burrows.
Step 4: Don't forget to pay attention to skin sores.
There are sores on the skin caused by the intense itching.The sores are at high risk for infections.The sores are most likely to be colonized with Staphylococcus aureus, a type of bacterium that thrives on the skin.Life-threatening infections of the blood and the kidneys can be caused by thesebacteria.If you want to avoid this, try to be gentle on your skin.Wrap your fingertips with band-aids to keep yourself from damaging the skin if you can't help yourself.Cut your nails short.Increased redness, swelling, pain, or discharge from the sores are signs of infections.Call your doctor if you think you have an infectious rash.An oral antibiotic can be prescribed by your doctor.
Step 5: There is skin crusting.
There is more than one form of scabies.Norwegian scabies are a severe form of the disease.It is characterized by blisters and thick skin that can cover large areas of the body.Individuals with weakened immune systems are more likely to have callouses.The immune impaired response allows the reproduction of millions of mites.The rash may be less severe if the immune response is impaired.If you are elderly, have a weakened immune system, or are living with leukemia, you're at risk of developing crusted scabies.If you have received an organ transplant and have a condition that prevents you from itching or scratching, you are at risk.
Step 6: Get evaluated.
If you suspect you have a disease, you should get in touch with a doctor.You will be examined by your physician for the scabies rash and mite burrows.A needle will be used to remove a small piece of skin.The doctor will use a microscope to confirm the presence of mites, eggs, or mite fecal matter.Even if mites, eggs, or fecal matter can't be found, an individual can still be affected by the disease.An average of 10 to 15 mites are found over the entire body.
Step 7: Get a burrow ink test.
The doctor can use an ink test to identify the burrows.Your doctor will rub ink on the skin that is irritated or itchy and then use an alcohol pad to wipe it off.If there is a mite burrow on your skin, it will trap ink and make a dark, wavy line on it.
Step 8: Don't rule out other skin conditions.
There are many skin conditions that can be confused with scabies.The main way to distinguish them is through the mite burrows, which are not associated with any of the skin conditions that may be confused with scabies.Ask your doctor to rule out other conditions so you can be sure you have scabies.It is sometimes confused with bed bugs.impetigo is a highly contagious skin disease.There is a red rash on the face around the nose and mouth.Eczema is a chronic skin condition that involves inflammation of the skin.The red rash is caused by an allergic reaction.The condition is more severe for people with eczema.Follitis is an inflammation and usually infections in the area associated with a hair follicle.Small white-headed pimples can grow on a reddened base around or near hair follicles.Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by excessive growth of skin cells that leads to the formation of thick, silvery scales and itchy, dry, red patches.
Step 9: Permethrin can be used.
Scabicides are used to kill the mites in the treatment of scabies.There are no over the counter drugs for treating scabies.Permethrin 5% cream is the drug of choice for the treatment of scabies.The scabies mite and eggs are killed by it.After eight to 14 hours, the cream should be washed off.The treatment should be repeated in 7 days.It can include itching or stinging.You should talk to your doctor about treating infants and young children.Permethrin is safe for infants as young as 1 month old, but most experts recommend applying it to the head and neck area for young children.Make sure you don't get it into your child's mouth.
Step 10: Try 10% cream or lotion.
It is possible that Crotamiton cream or lotion may be prescribed to you.After a bath, apply it from the neck down.The second dose should be applied 24 hours after the initial dose.Do it again in seven to 10 days.Crotamiton is safe when used as directed.It isn't the most effective or widely used anymore because of frequent treatment failure.
Step 11: There is a prescription for lindane 1%.
Similar to other scabicides, this lotion is similar.After eight to 12 hours in adults and six to eight in children, the lotion should be washed off.The treatment should be repeated in seven days.Lindane shouldn't be given to children younger than two, pregnant women or people with weakened immune systems.It can cause damage to the brain and other parts of the nervous system.Individuals who have failed treatment with or cannot tolerate other medications that pose less risk should be restricted to the prescription of lindane.
Step 12: ivermectin can be used.
There is a medication for scabies.Evidence shows that this oral medication is safe and effective.The FDA does not approve it for this use.Ivermectin is prescribed in a single oral dose.It should be taken with water.The dose should be repeated in seven to 10 days.The prescription of ivermectin should be considered by individuals who have failed treatment with or who cannot tolerate FDA-approved medications for the treatment of scabies.An elevated heart rate is a possible side effect of ivermectin.
Step 13: Treat skin irritation.
The skin may take up to three weeks to heal despite the killing of the mites.retreatment should be considered if they don't resolve in this time frame.It is possible to treat itching with the cooling of your skin.If you want to help with the itching, soak in a tub of cool water or apply a cool compress to the skin.Baking soda and oatmeal can help soothe the skin.calamine lotion is available over the counter and has been shown to relieve itching of minor skin irritations.Good options include Aveeno anti-itch moisturizers.Adding fragrances or dyes can irritate the skin.
Step 14: Buy oral antihistamines.
The drugs can help with the itching of scabies, which is caused by an allergic reaction to mites, eggs, and waste.Steroids are used to treat itch and inflammation.There are some examples of steroids that are on the skin.Antihistamines can be used over the counter since it is an allergic reaction.Benadryl, Claritin, and Allegra are included.It's helpful to reduce itching at night so you can sleep.Benadryl is a mild sedative.Atarax is a prescription antihistamine.There is a 1% cream that can be purchased over the counter.It works well for itch.
Step 15: Don't be careless of exposure.
Direct skin-to-skin contact is the most common way to transmit the disease.The longer this contact is, the more likely you are to get scabies.Less often, scabies can be transmitted via items such as bedding, clothing, and furniture.The human itch mite can live for 48 to 72 hours without human contact.Scabies can be contracted through sexual activity.Crowded conditions can cause an outbreak of scabies.Common sites include prisons, barracks, child-care facilities, and schools.Humans are the only ones who can spread the disease.
Step 16: Think about the period after the birth of a child.
It can take two to six weeks for a person to develop signs and symptoms of a disease.Even if a person is not showing signs of the disease, he can still spread it.Within a few days, signs and symptoms of scabies can be seen in a person with previous exposure.
Step 17: Do you know if you're at risk?
Some groups of people are more likely to pass diseases to each other.Children, mothers of young children, sexually active young adults, and residents of nursing homes are some of the groups.Skin-to-skin contact is responsible for the increased risk in the above populations.
Step 18: It's a good idea to clean your home.
Measures to control and prevent re-exposure with scabies include simultaneous treatment.This is usually recommended for other family members living in the household.All personal clothing, bedding, and towels used within the last 3 days should be washed in hot water and dried on the highest heat setting.Put it in a closed plastic bag for at least seven days if it can't be washed or dried.Humans can only survive for 48 to 72 hours.All carpets and furniture should be vacuumed on the day of treatment for scabies.After vacuuming, wash the canister and throw away the bag.If the canister is not removed, wipe it clean with a damp paper towel.Do not treat your pets.The human itch mite can't survive on other animals.The use of pesticide sprays or fogs is discouraged.