Scabies, commonly called the 7 year itch, is a catchy, itchy skin disease. It is created by a mite called Sarcoptes scabiei, a really minute and almost invisible parasite with 8 legs, that digs into a person’s skin and results in intense allergic itching. It is the female mites that affect us; they’re often 0,3 mm to 0,4 mm long and the males are under half the length.
With the help of a magnifying glass or a microscope, you can easily detect the presence of mites. The mites we are talking about can survive quite nicely in 20 C, however, they are not able to actually move around. They crawl, since that are unable to jump or fly. This crawling can be really disconcerting and painful sometimes, as they would feed on the blood and flesh of the host to be able to lay eggs.
Skin-to-skin contact can spread scabies. Scabies is spread, though, via really close contact between persons, so it can’t be contracted by hanging one’s jacket next to one belonging to someone with scabies, or by simply shaking hands. Sexual contact is one way a disease such as this is passed on. Scabies, another sexually transmitted disease, is common among young people who are sexually active.
Scabies are found in various places. Not only can they be found in areas easily seen by others like the wrists, back of elbows, knees, and feet, but they can also be found between fingers, on waists, in armpit folds, around nipples, on buttocks, and in the genital area. Scabies appear on the head, face, neck, palms and soles of the feet of infants and young children. These mites can interfere with one’s daily activities, thus, it is important to get it treated as soon as possible.
The use of scabicide drugs is the most convenient method for scabies treatment. Permethrin and ivermectin are used for the treatment of scabies. Permethrin is said to be the most efficient scabies treatment; it is applied from the neck down and washed off after 8 to 14 hours. Alternately, a treatment for crusted scabies is ivermectin- an oral anti-parasitic medicine.
Other scabies treatments include lindane, crotamiton, sulfur preparations and antihistamines. Lindane is like permethrin, which is applied in the same manner, however, it can cause seizure if it is applied in a very irritated or wet skin. Cortamiton, on the other hand, is both a lotion and cream while sulfur prepared in petrolatum is used as a cream and is known to be the most traditional form of scabies treatment. Antihistamines just relieves the itching.
These treatments would be ineffective if only one person is treated, as every infected person in the community should be treated to avoid re-infection. Disinfect household items such as linens, bed clothes, furniture, clothing, rugs, etc. Since these mites basically depend upon humans to survive.
Understanding a lot on natural scabies treatment may be awkward. However for some useful information on treatment for scabies, go here at once.