Hillary's Highlights | Scabies, Tiny Mite Big Itch

Scabies, Tiny Mite Big Itch

Do you have tiny red dots, possibly with little tracks or burrows in the vicinity of the dots. And do these areas itch like crazy? Especially at night or right after a hot shower? You, unfortunately may have a tiny mite in your skin called Scabies.

Want to see a picture of scabies?

How did I get the scabies?

By direct, prolonged, skin-to-skin contact with a person already infested with scabies. Contact must be for an extended period of time, a quick handshake or hug will usually not spread the scabies mite. The mite can be easily spread to sexual partners and household members and can occur by using or sharing clothing, towels, and bedding with someone who has scabies.

Scabies is also considered a STD or Sexually Transmitted Disease, since it can be spread by close skin to skin contact. But it isn’t a disease but a tiny bug that lives just under your skin.

Crowded conditions can lead to scabies being easily spread to large numbers of people as described below.

According to Walton, S. F., Holt, D. C., Currie, B. J., Kemp, D. J. in their study about scabies, said, “Overcrowded living conditions and poverty have been identified as significant confounding factors in transmission of the mite in humans. Control is hindered by difficulties with diagnosis, the cost of treatment, evidence for emerging resistance and lack of effective vaccines.”

One bad example of an outbreak in a hospital resulted when “a patient with unrecognized Norwegian (crusted) scabies was admitted to the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) service of a 940-bed acute-care hospital. Over 4 months, 773 healthcare workers (HCWs) and 204 patients were exposed to scabies“.

Standard treatment can be to apply permethrin (Elimite) that can kill the mite, also 1% lindane lotion or an oral medication, ivermectin. These Scabies Treatment need doctor prescriptions and can present a variety of hazards such as rash or seizures so following directions carefully is prudent.

It is not the intention of this article to present or provide specific medical advice. Always see a doctor for diagnosis and before starting any treatment.

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