SCABIES (Itch Mite) Treatment
Physicians around the globe are seeing cases of scabies in quantities which suggest that we are experiencing an epidemic of this disease. Such levels of scabies have recurred about every thirty years, and can b~ more frequent in crowded or unsanitary living conditions. The itch mite is a human parasite and, like lice, cannot survive if detached from a host body for more than a few days. Symptoms normally don't appear for several weeks after the onset of infestation, during which time the host gradually becomes sensitive to the mite.
The female mite burrows under the most superficial layer of the skin. Within this tunnel, she lays numerous eggs, from which are hatched larvae which scurry across the skin looking for other mites or places to burrow. The life cycle of the mite is about 30 days.
The first evidence of scabies is itching, which may be severe and is characteristically worse at night. The rash of scabies, which appears on the hands in over 95 percent of cases, has itchy bumps of various sizes and sparse blisters between the fingers. Annoying bumps may also appear on the arms or trunk of highly sensitive individuals.
The burrow is a sure sign of scabies. Burrows appear as fine, dirty, wavy lines that are short and very superficial. Produced by the female mite as she tunnels under the superficial layer of the skin, they can sometimes be seen ending in a blister. The sides of the fingers and the webs between the fingers are often the areas first involved, and the undersides of the wrists and edge of the hands are also commonly affected. In men, the genitalia are often involved, typically with large, swollen bumps. Other favored sites are the elbows, waist, and lower portion of the buttocks. The head, face, and neck are not involved, except occasionally in infants. The palms and soles are rarely affected except in infants or elderly people with very thin skin.
Scabies mites are easily eliminated with proper treatment, but because of the lingering allergy to the mites, itching may persist for days or weeks after treatment. Though the mites are dead, their eggs, feces and body parts may remain in the skin for a few days until complete healing occurs. The individual reasons that since he continues to itch, he must still be infected, and thus re-treats himself furiously and repeatedly. This may lead to irritation of the skin and even worse itching. Neglected or longstanding cases of scabies can lead to eczema and secondary infections.
Scabies is moderately contagious. In young adults, it is often spread by sexual contact, since transmission of the mites is achieved primarily by close skin-to-skin contact. The mites are very unlikely to be caught from the clothing of others. Sleeping in a bed recently or currently used by someone with scabies may suffice to produce infestation. After the initial infestation there is a period of several weeks before itching begins. Family members or other close contacts who are destined to later develop the eruption are usually asymptomatic when the first person in the family begins to itch.
Treatment for SCABIES (Itch Mite)
GBH is the preferred scabicide although it is not recommended for children because of possible toxicity from absorption into the system. Eurax (crotamiton), and 10 per'cent Sulfur are also effective, and may be used on children. All of these treatments require a prescription. The following regimen is recommended:
1. Bathe prior to the application of the scabicide.
2. The scabicide is applied to the entire body-from the neck down. Failure to do this is the most common error in treatment. Remember, if a single female mite is missed, she can produce a whole new generation. The genitals, buttocks, and feet should be covered with utmost care.
3. GBH is left on for twenty-four hours, then washed off. A second application one week later can be done but is usually unnecessary. Crotamiton and sulfur should be reapplied.
The female mite burrows under the most superficial layer of the skin. Within this tunnel, she lays numerous eggs, from which are hatched larvae which scurry across the skin looking for other mites or places to burrow. The life cycle of the mite is about 30 days.
The first evidence of scabies is itching, which may be severe and is characteristically worse at night. The rash of scabies, which appears on the hands in over 95 percent of cases, has itchy bumps of various sizes and sparse blisters between the fingers. Annoying bumps may also appear on the arms or trunk of highly sensitive individuals.
The burrow is a sure sign of scabies. Burrows appear as fine, dirty, wavy lines that are short and very superficial. Produced by the female mite as she tunnels under the superficial layer of the skin, they can sometimes be seen ending in a blister. The sides of the fingers and the webs between the fingers are often the areas first involved, and the undersides of the wrists and edge of the hands are also commonly affected. In men, the genitalia are often involved, typically with large, swollen bumps. Other favored sites are the elbows, waist, and lower portion of the buttocks. The head, face, and neck are not involved, except occasionally in infants. The palms and soles are rarely affected except in infants or elderly people with very thin skin.
Scabies mites are easily eliminated with proper treatment, but because of the lingering allergy to the mites, itching may persist for days or weeks after treatment. Though the mites are dead, their eggs, feces and body parts may remain in the skin for a few days until complete healing occurs. The individual reasons that since he continues to itch, he must still be infected, and thus re-treats himself furiously and repeatedly. This may lead to irritation of the skin and even worse itching. Neglected or longstanding cases of scabies can lead to eczema and secondary infections.
Scabies is moderately contagious. In young adults, it is often spread by sexual contact, since transmission of the mites is achieved primarily by close skin-to-skin contact. The mites are very unlikely to be caught from the clothing of others. Sleeping in a bed recently or currently used by someone with scabies may suffice to produce infestation. After the initial infestation there is a period of several weeks before itching begins. Family members or other close contacts who are destined to later develop the eruption are usually asymptomatic when the first person in the family begins to itch.
Treatment for SCABIES (Itch Mite)
GBH is the preferred scabicide although it is not recommended for children because of possible toxicity from absorption into the system. Eurax (crotamiton), and 10 per'cent Sulfur are also effective, and may be used on children. All of these treatments require a prescription. The following regimen is recommended:
1. Bathe prior to the application of the scabicide.
2. The scabicide is applied to the entire body-from the neck down. Failure to do this is the most common error in treatment. Remember, if a single female mite is missed, she can produce a whole new generation. The genitals, buttocks, and feet should be covered with utmost care.
3. GBH is left on for twenty-four hours, then washed off. A second application one week later can be done but is usually unnecessary. Crotamiton and sulfur should be reapplied.
4. People with whom the individual has close contacts should be treated in the same fashion whether they are itching or not.
5. Clothing, underwear, and bed linens should be laundered at the conclusion of treatment. This is done for contacts as well.
6. Itching often persists for a few days or even weeks depending on the individual and the severity of the infestation. People who continue to itch after two weeks should be re-examined.
When the scabicide is applied correct1y, treatment failures are unusual. The itching is treated with soothing baths, lotions, cortisone creams and antihistamines taken orally.
SCABIES (Itch Mite) Prevention
Individuals who practice good personal hygiene are less likely to develop severe scabies. (They can still get it.)
5. Clothing, underwear, and bed linens should be laundered at the conclusion of treatment. This is done for contacts as well.
6. Itching often persists for a few days or even weeks depending on the individual and the severity of the infestation. People who continue to itch after two weeks should be re-examined.
When the scabicide is applied correct1y, treatment failures are unusual. The itching is treated with soothing baths, lotions, cortisone creams and antihistamines taken orally.
SCABIES (Itch Mite) Prevention
Individuals who practice good personal hygiene are less likely to develop severe scabies. (They can still get it.)
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