Scabies

Scabies is a highly contagious skin disease caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite. These microscopic mites burrow into the upper layer of the skin, where they live and lay eggs, causing intense itching and a pimple-like rash. Scabies is easily transmitted through close physical contact, especially in places with large groups of people, such as schools, nursing homes, and prisons.

How would I get it?

Scabies is caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite, which is invisible to the naked eye. The main method of transmission is direct skin-to-skin contact, often prolonged, such as between family members or sexual partners. In some cases, scabies can also be spread through sharing clothing, towels, or bedding used by an infected person. Mites can survive away from the human body for up to 48 hours.

Symptoms

The main symptoms of scabies include:

• Intense itching, especially at night;
• Pimple-like rash, often between the fingers, on the wrists, elbows, armpits, groin, and abdomen;
• Thin lines or tracks on the skin (so-called burrows made by the mites).

Scabies can sometimes be mistaken for other skin conditions such as eczema or dermatitis, so accurate diagnosis is important.

Complications

Untreated scabies can lead to complications such as:

• Bacterial infections due to scratching and skin damage;
• Norwegian (crusted) scabies, a more severe form of the disease often found in individuals with weakened immune systems, which affects a large area of the skin.

How do I get tested?

To diagnose scabies, a doctor may perform a physical examination of the skin and take a scraping for microscopic analysis to detect mites, their eggs, or feces. This helps to confirm the infection accurately.

What if I test positive?

Scabies is effectively treated with special antiparasitic medications. The main treatments include:

• Permethrin cream — applied to the skin to kill mites and their eggs;
• Ivermectin — taken orally in severe or widespread infections;
• Crotamiton or benzyl benzoate — alternative treatments for scabies.

Creams or lotions should be applied to the entire body, including the armpits, groin, and genitals. Treatment is usually repeated after a week to completely eradicate all mites.

Preventing Reinfection

To avoid reinfection, it is necessary to:

• Wash all clothing, towels, and bedding in hot water and dry them at high temperatures;
• Clean and disinfect furniture and carpets that may have come into contact with infected individuals;
• Avoid close contact with people diagnosed with scabies until they have fully recovered.