How to recognize scabies? symptoms and treatment of scabies

Scabies is an unpleasant skin disease caused by mites called Sarcoptes scabiei. Although this is a fairly common problem, many people have difficulty recognizing the symptoms and do not know what to do if they are infected. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about scabies, including symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of the disease.

Scabies – what is it?

Scabies, also known as sarcoptic mite, is a skin infection caused by the parasitic mite Sarcoptes scabiei. These microscopic creatures sneak under the skin where they dig burrows and lay eggs, causing itching and rashes. Scabies is very contagious and can spread easily among people.

Scabies – how is it infected? when is the patient contagious?

You become infected with scabies when you come into contact with a person or objects infected with mites. Scabies mites can survive outside the human body for several days, so contact with infected towels, clothes, beds or direct contact with a sick person may lead to infection.

People infected with scabies can infect others even when there are no visible symptoms. The time from infection to the appearance of the first symptoms (the so-called incubation period) can range from several days to several weeks, which makes it difficult to control the spread of the disease.

Scabies in children and adults – how does it manifest itself?

Symptoms of scabies can be quite bothersome and vary depending on age, health status and the body’s response to the infection. Here are the most common symptoms of scabies in children and adults:

Intense itching: This is the most characteristic symptom of scabies. Itching is most severe at night and may lead to difficulty falling asleep.

Rash: Scratching the skin causes tiny red spots and lumps to appear, especially on the hands, wrists, elbows, knees, buttocks, and around the armpits and genitals.

Burrows: These are raised, thin lines or dots under the skin that mites dig to lay eggs.

Redness and swelling: The skin may be red and slightly swollen around the affected areas.

Peeling of the skin: Skin infected with scabies may become flaky, especially around the affected areas.

Pain: In some cases, scabies can cause pain and discomfort.

Scabies – diagnosis and treatment. what medicines for scabies? how long does treatment take?

Diagnosing scabies can be difficult because the symptoms may resemble other skin diseases. Your doctor may order skin scraping samples to confirm the presence of mites. If a scabies infection is confirmed, treatment will be recommended.

The standard treatment for scabies is the use of antiparasitic drugs such as permethrin or lindan. Your doctor will prescribe the appropriate dose and duration of use. Treatment should be strictly followed and all household members and people who have had close contact with the infected person should also be treated.

Symptoms of scabies may persist for several weeks after treatment, but this does not mean that the infection is still active. Itching may still be present for some time, but this is not a cause for concern.

Home remedies for scabies

It is worth emphasizing that home remedies are not recommended as the main treatment for scabies, but they can help alleviate symptoms and improve comfort:

Washing clothes and bedding: Regular washing in hot water (at least 50°C) will help destroy dust mites on clothes and bedding.

Disinfection of personal items: Disinfecting items that may have been in contact with an infected person can help prevent the spread of the infection.

Relieving itching: You can apply soothing creams or ointments to the skin to reduce itching and discomfort.

Prevention of scabies

To avoid scabies infection, it is worth taking certain precautions:

Avoid close contact with infected people: If you know someone has scabies, try to avoid direct contact with them, especially during treatment.

Practice personal hygiene: Regular hand washing, clean clothes and bedding can help prevent infection.

Disinfect personal items: Regularly disinfect personal items such as towels, clothes and bedding.

Your suggestions

If you have any additional suggestions for scabies diagnosis, treatment or prevention, we would love to hear your advice. However, remember that it is always best to consult a doctor if you suspect a scabies infection.

Recommended articles

If you want to learn more about skin care and other skin conditions, we recommend reading the following articles:

– “How to care for your skin in winter?” – “Symptoms and treatment of acne” – “Can using deodorants be harmful to the skin?”

We hope this article has helped you understand how to recognize scabies, what its symptoms are, and what to do if you become infected. Remember that if in doubt, it is always worth consulting a doctor who will help you properly diagnose and treat a scabies infection.