| Some scabies symptoms are stinging biting, crawling sensations on the skin or scalp, and tiny pin pricks. Other symptoms are the presence of mite burrows, often in a zigzag or S shape or the presence of lesions, such as brown nodules, rashes, or pimple-like irritations on the skin. Symptoms worsen at night. |
Scabies Facts |
- Scabies is a highly contagious disease of the skin that is brought about by tiny mites.
- The Scabies Mite is the cause of the infection by burrowing into our skin to harbour eggs.
- The mite is practically invisible to the sufferer and it is a generally common complaint to be infected with scabies.
- A female scabies mite tunnels to lay, and barely into the very first layer of the skin. She eats the skin as she tunnels and lives in the burrow for her lifetime.
- Once safely in the burrow the scabies mite might initiate laying almost straight away and will do so more than once a day and over a period of up to two months.
- The scabies eggs become young mites in a few days, and climb out from the burrow to feast on a hair follicle.
- In as little as four days the scabies mite reaches adulthood and looks for a mate, following which the female will go over the process again, burrowing into the skin to lay her eggs.
- The Scabies sufferer might notice tiny bites or pimples in the first instance and it is worth remembering that the mites thrive in warm and moist areas.
- Scabies will most likely occur in the armpits or on the chest, or the genital area, the fingers, and anywhere where jewellery forms a warm enclave.
- Areas where there are hiding places in the skin are popular with the scabies mite and are prime spots for the mites to be found.
- Those infected with Scabies may notice itching - often very intense and most commonly at night - and the appearance of a red rash, and will be inclined to scratch the area infected.
- In younger patients it is common for the scabies mite to live on the soles of the feet and the palms, and also on the scalp, while in babies it is generally the neck and head that are most often affected.
- Itching and irritation is becausae of an allergic reaction that the body undergoes thanks to the presence of the scabies mites, and is often very harmful indeed.
- As the scabies suffering increases the patient may experience hardening of the skin, with crusty and scaly skin appearing in time.
- In persons with easily affected skin, or those with severe scabies suffering nodular scabies could be the result.
- Nodular Scabies is a type and comes about when debris left behind by the mite becomes left under the skin.
- As scabies may become serious and agonising if left untreated it is essential that the right treatment is given for the specified time.
- The older generations and people with weak immune systems are most likely to suffer from serious cases of scabies, and should be wary as a result.
- Like many similar complaints scabies is particularly contagious and it does not necessarily require one to come into direct contact with a case to become infected.
- Sleeping in a bed or resting in a chair that has been inhabited by a sufferer can cause scabies infection, as can close contact with the patient.
- Scabies is often found in nursing homes where the older generation reside, and in people who work in the medical profession and come into contact with cases.
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Last update: 08:51 AM Friday, April 3, 2009
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