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| ( Photo healthwyze.com) |
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| (Photo skindermatologists.com) |
CDC: Human scabies is caused by an infestation of the skin by the human itch mite (Sarcoptes scabieivar. hominis). The microscopic scabies mite burrows into the upper layer of the skin where it lives and lays its eggs. The most common symptoms of scabies are intense itching and a pimple-like skin rash. The scabies mite usually is spread by direct, prolonged, skin-to-skin contact with a person who has scabies.
Scabies occurs worldwide and affects people of all races and social classes. Scabies can spread rapidly under crowded conditions where close body contact is frequent. Institutions such as nursing homes, extended-care facilities, and prisons are often sites of scabies outbreaks.
1) When a person gets scabies first time there's no way of telling during the first 2 to 6 weeks that he got the disease in himself but he can already spread scabies;
2) Household members, sexual and close personal contacts who have had direct prolonged skin-to-skin contact with an infested person within the preceding month should be examined and treated. All of them should be treated at the same time to prevent reinfestation.
3) Scabicides are medicines made to treat human scabies. Scabicides kill scabies mites and mite eggs, but not all scabicides kill scabies mite eggs. Scabicides for treatment of human scabies are available only with a doctor's prescription.
4) No “over-the-counter” (non-prescription) products have been tested and approved to treat scabies.
5) The instructions contained in the box or printed on the label always should be followed carefully.
6) Always contact a doctor or pharmacist if unsure how to use a particular medicine.
7) Scabicide lotion or cream should be applied to all areas of the body from the neck down to the feet and toes. In addition, when treating infants and young children, scabicide lotion or cream also should be applied to their entire head and neck because scabies can affect their face, scalp, and neck, as well as the rest of their body. The lotion or cream should be applied to a clean body and left on for the recommended time before washing it off. Clean clothing should be worn after treatment.
8) Bedding, clothing, and towels used by infested persons or their household, sexual, and close contacts anytime during the three days before treatment should be decontaminated by washing in hot water and drying in a hot dryer, by dry-cleaning, or by sealing in a plastic bag for at least 72 hours.
9) Scabies mites generally do not survive more than 2 to 3 days away from human skin.
Because the symptoms of scabies are due to a hypersensitivity reaction (allergy) to mites and their feces (scybala), itching still may continue for several weeks after treatment even if all the mites and eggs are killed.
10) If itching still is present more than 2 to 4 weeks after treatment or if new burrows or pimple-like rash lesions continue to appear, retreatment may be necessary.
Skin sores that become infected should be treated with an appropriate antibiotic prescribed by a doctor.
11) Use of insecticide sprays and fumigants is not recommended.
12) Neem Oil is a herbal cure to eliminate scabies. In combination with frequent onion bath, many people report it as effective treatment.
Ref.: http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/scabies/treatment.html
