| Scabies is transmitted by direct personal contact. Prolonged contact between household members may allow transmission to occur. Transmission is also possible through prolonged contact with infected linens, furniture, or clothing. People with weakened immune systems, children, and the elderly are at risk for more severe cases of scabies called Norwegian or crusted scabies. Crowded conditions, particularly where children sleep together, spread scabies faster. |
Scabies Facts |
- Scabies is a very easy to spread condition of the skin that is caused by minisacule mites.
- The Scabies Mite is the cause of the condition by eating into ones skin to harbour eggs.
- The mite is all but invisible to us and it is a generally common complaint to be infected with scabies.
- A female scabies mite digs to lay, and just into the very upper layer of the skin. She eats the skin as she tunnels and lives in the burrow for her lifetime.
- Once settled in the burrow the scabies mite should begin laying almost at that moment and will do so more than once a day and over a period of up to two months.
- The scabies eggs hatch in a little number of days, and emerge from the burrow to feast on a hair follicle.
- In as little time as as four days the scabies mite reaches maturity and looks for a mate, following which the female will begin the process again, burrowing into the skin to lay her eggs.
- The Scabies sufferer may notice small bites or pimples at first and it is worth knowing that the mites breed in warm and moist areas.
- Scabies will most frequently occur in the armpits or on the chest, or the genital area, the fingers, and anywhere where jewellery forms a warm enclave.
- Places where there are hiding places in the skin are attractive to the scabies mite and are prime spots for the condition to be found.
- Those infected with Scabies will notice irritation - often very intense and most commonly at night - and the appearance of a red rash, and will be inclined to scratch the area concerned.
- In younger patients it is usual for the scabies mite to live on the soles of the feet and the palms, and maybe also on the scalp, while in babies it is often the neck and head that are most often affected.
- Itching and irritation comes about becausae of an allergic reaction that the body has to the presence of the scabies mites, and is often very harmful indeed.
- As the scabies suffering spreads the infected person will experience hardening of the skin, with crusty and scaly spots appearing in time.
- In people with sensitive skin, or those with severe scabies infection nodular scabies could be the result.
- Nodular Scabies is a type which comes about when debris left behind by the mite is trapped under the skin.
- As scabies may become nasty and agonising if left untreated it is imperative that the correct treatment is applied for the specified time.
- The elderly and people with weak immune systems are generally likely to suffer from serious cases of scabies, and should be concerned as a result.
- Like lots of similar conditions scabies is very contagious and it does not necessarily need one to come into direct contact with a patient to become infected.
- Resting in a bed or relaxing in a chair that has been slept or sat in by a sufferer can bring about scabies infection, as can close contact with the individual.
- Scabies is sometimes found in nursing homes where the aged reside, and in persons who work in the medical profession and come into contact with cases.
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Last update: 04:06 PM Thursday, April 2, 2009
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