Scabies Invade Manoa
Scabies is a contagious, human body infestation by tiny (.35 mm) mites medically designated as “sarcoptes scabiei.” The mite is an obligate human parasite living within the top layer of the skin. It cannot survive on non-human objects for more than a few days without a human blood meal; indeed, almost all of the mites die within a few hours of isolation from a warm human body. The adult mites (female) are passed from one person to another by skin contact. Infested clothing, sheets, etc. may also be involved in the spread of the disease.

Clinical appearance and symptoms:

  • Moderate to extremely itchy pimples, vesicles (small blisters) pustules and short burrows, seen most frequently around finger webs, surfaces of wrist and elbows, armpits, belt line, groin, buttocks, and breasts in women.
  • Itching is most often more intense at night, and secondary infection by scratching is not uncommon.
  • The itching is due to the tunneling of the mite in the skin as well as allergic sensitivity to the mite, eggs and feces.
  • The incubation period may be as long as one month.

Diagnosis:

Although in theory the only certain method of diagnosis of scabies is by demonstration of the parasite by skin scrapings, the presence of the above-mentioned lesions in typical locations with itching raises a strong clinical suspicion of scabies.

Treatment Options: (As with all medications, read labels carefully for any contraindications.)

  1. Permethrin 5% cream (“Acticin”, “Elimite”, “NIX”). NIX is an over-the-counter medication. The others require a prescription.
  2. Kwell Lotion (Should not be used by pregnant women and infants). Kwell Shampoo is ineffective against scabies.

For any of the above:

  1. Shower thoroughly-not a hot bath.
  2. Dry yourself completely.
  3. Apply lotion to the entire body from the chin down, working it into the skin especially in hairy areas and between fingers and toes.
  4. Leave on for the specified period of time. Then shower off.
  5. May repeat once in 7 days if new lesions develop. Itching may persist for 1-2 weeks despite killing the mites. Do not overmedicate yourself; the doctor may prescribe other medicines for the itching and inflammation.

Potentially infested clothing, linens, towels, etc. should be washed in hot water. Family members and close contacts should be considered for treatment. If treatment does not seem to work, revisit the doctor.


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Last Updated: 03.01.2008