Scabies is a skin problem that is characterized by extreme itching, and it is caused by a small mite that burrows just below the skin. This problem is commonly called the “itch”. Below is everything you need to know about this bothersome skin problem.
The tiny, red, pimples that appear on the skin are actually mite bites. Many times they will itch so much that the person has a difficult time sleeping. The more the person scratches the farther along the skin the mite burrows. What most people do not realize is that the itching is an allergic reaction to the mite’s feces.
Scratching is not without its own problems. Other skin problems like cellulitis or impetigo may become a problem. Impetigo is a bacterial skin infection that can be spread to other parts of the body when the person touches it and then touches another place. When the person experiences fever, swelling and redness, he may have developed cellulitis.
It usually takes longer for scabies to show up in a person that has never been infested with scabies before. On the other hand, people who have been infested will present symptoms in just two to four days. It is even possible to have scabies for a number of years before the outward symptoms begin to show.
Scabies is a highly contagious skin problem. Mites can be found beneath the fingernails of people who scratch, and these can be passed to someone else when they are touched by the fingernails. Mites can also move off the body onto furniture, toilets, clothing, towels and other things the person touches.
It does not take a large number of mites to cause a big problem. The female mites are more likely to burrow under the skin than the males. The males will burrow on occasion, but they are most likely to run around on top of the skin.
Sulphur bar soap is an effective remedy that is commonly used to get rid of mites. The soap should contain between 6% and 10% sulphur. The body should be washed with the sulphur soap one time every day for five days. Dry the body with the air from a blow dryer.
Ivermectin is an oral medicine that will eliminate all of the live mites. You must take another dose two weeks later so you can get rid of the mites that have hatched during that time. This medicine may cause myalgia, pain, nausea or vomiting, but it usually all goes away before the two weeks are up.
Across the counter anti-scabby lotions are another solution. When they are used correctly, they can be very effective. They cannot be used from the neck to the top of the head. The instructions say to only apply from the neck to the bottom of the feet. Leave the lotion on for 24 hours, and then wash off with soap and hot water.
The infected person’s clothing will need to be turned wrong side out and washed with hot water. It can be dried in a hot dryer, or it can be hung on a clothesline in the direct sunlight. In order to be certain that all of the mites are dead, iron the clothing inside and out.
Scabies is not a skin problem that cannot be cured. It just makes people miserable. Once mites have spread, they are very difficult to get rid of. Whenever you think that you have come in contact with mites, contact your doctor right away, and work to eliminate them as quickly as you can.
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