| You cannot catch scabies from pets. Scabies is a human mite only able to reproduce in humans. Pets however can have their own mites. These are called mange mites. |
Scabies Facts |
- Scabies is a highly versatile disease of the skin which is brought about by miniature mites.
- The Scabies Mite brings about the infection by burrowing into our skin to produce eggs.
- The mite is virtually invisible to the human eye and it is a generally common complaint to be troubled with scabies.
- A female scabies mite tunnels to lay, and only into the very top layer of the skin. She eats the skin as she tunnels and stays in the burrow for her lifetime.
- Once safely in the burrow the scabies mite will start laying almost straight away and will do so more than once every day and over a period of up to two months.
- The scabies eggs become young mites in a little number of days, and emerge from the burrow to live on the hair follicle.
- In as few as four days the scabies mite reaches laying age and hunts for a mate, after which the female will start the process again, burrowing into the skin to lay her eggs.
- The Scabies patient could notice tiny bites or pimples initially and it is worth being aware that the mites love to live 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 presents a warm and safe place.
- Parts of the body where there are hiding places in the skin are popular with the scabies mite and are prime spots for the condition to be found.
- Sufferers with Scabies will 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 affected.
- In youngsters it is general 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 usually the neck and head that are most often affected.
- Itching and irritation happens becausae of an allergic reaction that the body undergoes thanks to the presence of the scabies mites, and is sometimes very painful indeed.
- As the scabies suffering increases the sufferer will experience hardening of the skin, with crusty and scaly skin appearing in time.
- In people with particularly sensitive skin, or those with severe scabies suffering nodular scabies can be the result.
- Nodular Scabies is a disease which comes about when debris left behind by the mite gets embedded under the skin.
- As scabies may become nasty and severe if left untreated it is vital that the right treatment is given for the specified time.
- The elderly and people with damaged immune systems are particularly likely to suffer from severe cases of scabies, and should be concerned as a result.
- Like a number of similar problems scabies is very contagious and it does not necessarily take one to come into direct contact with a case to become infected.
- Sleeping in a bed or sitting in a chair that has been used by a sufferer can bring about scabies infection, as can close contact with the sufferer.
- Scabies is often found in nursing homes where the elderly reside, and in those who work in the medical profession and come into contact with patients.
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Last update: 01:25 PM Thursday, April 2, 2009
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