Skin, the outermost covering of our body, tends to be at risk of being inhabited by parasites. If there is any breach of the protective barrier, parasites can enter through the breach, create burrows in the tissues to lay eggs, and inhabit the skin, thus infesting the skin. One such parasite skin infestation is that of mites, leading to a skin infection called scabies. The good news is that scabies is treatable and preventable.
In this post, we will be learning about scabies infection in detail, including what is scabies, scabies causes, types, symptoms, prevention, complications, and scabies treatment in Hyderabad. The insights are shared by dermatologists in Hyderabad at Celestee Skin, Hair and Laser Clinic.
What is Scabies?
Scabies is a parasitic skin infestation caused by tiny mites that burrow in the skin to live, feed, and lay eggs, thus multiplying and inhabiting the skin. The skin responds to the scabies infection by developing an itchy rash.
What Causes Scabies?
Human scabies infection is caused by a mite called Sarcoptes scabiei var hominis.
Scabies is a contagious medical skin problem and mostly affects people who have weak immunity, maintain poor hygiene, who are frequent travelers, and those who live in topical, crowded areas.
Types of Scabies
Scabies can manifest in different forms of varying severity. The types of scabies are:
- Typical scabies (most common type)– It presents as an itchy rash that often is seen on the hands and wrists.
- Nodular scabies– It presents as itchy, raised bumps/lumps often in areas such as the finger webs, armpits, or genitals.
- Crusted (Norwegian) scabies– It presents as gray, thick skin crusts containing numerous mites and eggs. It is a highly contagious, severe form, often noticed in individuals with impaired immune systems.
- Bullous scabies (rarest type)– It presents as blisters and resembles the characteristic features of bulbous pemphigoid.
Scabies Symptoms
The symptoms of scabies include:
- Wavy, thin tunnels under the skin called burrow tracks comprising tiny blisters or skin bumps
- Extreme itching that may worsen at night and cause sleep disturbance
- Painful sores or bumps that may become infected when scratched.
The symptoms of scabies infection are often noticed in infants and young children on the following body sites:
- Face, neck, and scalp
- The palm of the hands
- Soles of the feet
- Fingers.
In older children and adults, the scabies rash can be noticed:
- Between the toes and fingers
- In the groins or genital area
- Along the inside of the wrists
- On the soles of the feet
- On the inner elbows
- Around the navel
- In the underarms
- Around the nipples
- On the buttocks
- On the chest
- Waistline.
The signs appear within a few days of mite infestation if the patient had earlier had scabies. However, symptoms may appear in around 6 weeks, if the patient is having scabies for the first time. Even if symptoms don’t appear, the scabies infection can spread. Consult with a skin doctor, if experiencing scabies symptoms to get it timely diagnosed and treated.
See a dermatologist without further delay, if:
- Experiencing unwanted effects from the use of any topical cream or oral medication or having a bothering skin condition
- Developing signs of bacterial infections like sores with pus or redness
- Having signs of scabies after a month.
Scabies Treatment in Hyderabad Options
Scabies treatment involves killing the newly hatched mites and their eggs. The options often recommended are:
- Prescription topical treatments– Scabies is treatable with creams containing ingredients suggested by dermatologist based on their skin concern
- Other treatments for scabies complications like antiseptics or antibiotics for secondary infections
- Prescription oral scabies medication
- Some scabies types like the crusted scabies are hard to treat. Moreover, more than one treatment round is required to ensure all the scabies-causing mites have been eliminated from the skin.
Prevention of Scabies
Scabies prevention includes avoiding scabies infection and stopping scabies spread. Here are the preventive steps that one must undertake:
- Wash all clothes, bedding, towels, and other washable personal belongings with hot, soapy water and then dry them in hot air. Dry clean, if can’t wash. Heat will kill the mites and eggs
- Keep aside the non-washable contaminated items in sealed plastic bags for a week or so to starve the mites for a few days without food
- Ensure that no one in the family comes in physical contact with a person who is diagnosed with scabies
- Keep surroundings clean. Practice good hygiene.
Complications of Scabies
Scratching of the scabies rash can further break the skin and lead to secondary infections like impetigo. If a person is having eczema or psoriasis, such conditions can get aggravated.
Other scabies rash complications include painful sores, septicemia, and medical conditions like heart/kidney disease.
Get Treatment for Scabies Today!
Scabies are an infectious skin disease caused by tiny mites that create burrows in the skin to live, feed, and multiply. It is highly contagious and can spread via skin-to-skin contact, sexual contact, and contact with contaminated objects, especially if one has a break in the skin barrier. If experiencing an itchy skin rash that is disrupting sleep, not going on its own, and causing complications like secondary infections, seek a dermatologist’s attention right away. Dermatologists at Celestee Skin, Hair, and Laser Clinic can help diagnose scabies by examining the skin, recommending varieties of scabies treatment in Hyderabad options, and delivering the best scabies skin care. Prevention of scabies spread and occurrence of complications is all possible with the dermatologist-recommended scabies prevention tips.
FAQs on Scabies Treatment
Is Scabies 100% Curable?
Yes. Treatments that kill the scabies-causing mites and even their eggs can help prevent the recurrence of scabies.
What Are the Common Symptoms of Scabies?
Most people with scabies experience intense itching, especially at nighttime, a pimple-like rash, and even burrows.
How Scabies is Diagnosed?
For diagnosing scabies, the healthcare provider examines the skin to recognize the typical features of infestation. Sometimes, visual imaging techniques like dermatoscopy or microscopy of skin scrapings from burrows are done to see if any mites or eggs are present.
Can Scabies Go Away on Their Own?
No. Scabies requires treatment that kills the mites and their eggs.
For details on scabies treatment in Hyderabad, visit the experts at Celestee Skin, Hair and Laser Clinic.
