Scabies is a skin condition caused by very tiny creatures called itch mites. They are so small that they can only be seen through a microscope. Mites are parasites that live in or on a host (like human skin) where they obtain nourishment to grow. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), “Parasitic Disease Information, 2008, mites can survive up to a month on human skin. Because the mites lay their eggs in the skin, and these new eggs hatch and become adult mites, symptoms of scabies can last for months and even years if untreated
Transmission of scabies requires close skin-to-skin contact. Direct and prolonged physical contact is the most common way of spreading scabies from one person to another. It is rarely transmitted through casual contact such as shaking hands or patting someone on the back (Cdc.gov, “Parasitic Disease Information,” accessed March 2, 2010).
Symptoms and Treatment of Scabies
With their eight legs, mites dig into and under the skin, causing small red bumps on the skin. These are often called burrows or tunnels. Relentless itching of these areas is the most common symptom of scabies. In small children, the rash can often be seen on the head, face, and neck. It can also appear on a child’s palms or on the soles of their heels.
The usual treatment for scabies is a prescription cream or lotion that can kill the mite. If the infection is not cleared with topical treatment, a physician can prescribe an anti-parasitic oral medication. Other remedies can assist in treating symptoms. Anti-itch medicines and pain relievers may also be used if recommended by a doctor.
Aftercare for Scabies
It is not enough to treat the body with medication. There are follow-up treatments that need to be performed at home to keep from getting re-infected. Finger nails and toe nails should be cleaned, clipped and dried to kill any mites that lie in those areas. Clothes that have been worn in the past three days need to be washed in hot water or dry-cleaned.
All used towels and bedding should be changed and washed. They should be dried on the dryer’s highest heat setting. For items that cannot be washed or dried in a dryer or ironed, they can be placed in sealed plastic bags and stored in the garage for up to two weeks. By the end of the first week, the mites should be dead and the items no longer contaminated. Carpets and upholstery should be vacuumed and the vacuum bag should be discarded immediately after the carpets are cleaned (Emedicine.com, “Scabies,” accessed March 2, 2010).
Mary Ann George - I am a registered nurse currently working as a case manager in the home health industry. My credentials include a BS degree in education, ...
