The activity of parasites causes severe itching, especially at night. The disease is easily transmitted by (physical contact, for example, by shaking hands. Family members and the sexual partners of the person who has fallen ill are at greatest risk of infection). Scabies itch, scabies treatment - in our article.
Scabies mite
The causative agent of scabies is a parasite of the species Sarcoptes scabei (scabies mites), belonging to the family of arachnids. Female ticks have a length of about 0.4 mm. They are introduced into the skin and spend in it their entire life cycle, including nutrition and reproduction. Males are smaller - about 0 2 mm in length. Mating of mites occurs in scaly passages done by the female. After mating, the male dies. The speed of the strokes in the skin is about 2 mm per day. In this case, the female mite lays 2-3 eggs. After 3 days, larvae appear from the eggs, which ripen within 10-14 days. The adult parasite lives 30 days. Eggs can be stored outside the host organism for up to 10 days, but an adult tick can survive in the external environment for no more than 36 hours. A patient with scabies is, on average, infected with 10 adult mites. Their number depends on the intensity of combing. For the first time the disease of scabies was described in the XVII century. But, despite the improvement of social hygiene conditions, its prevalence has not decreased. About 300 million people fall ill every year in the world of scabies. A higher incidence rate is observed in developing countries.
Who is more affected by the disease?
Scabies are affected by both men and women, related to all races and socio-economic classes. The disease is transmitted by physical contact. A large crowd of people, overcrowding, observed in poor layers of society, hospitals and prisons can contribute to outbreaks of the disease. Scabies are often affected by children. In addition, parasite infection among them is more widespread than among adults. In developed countries, epidemics of scabies are repeated with a frequency of 10-15 years. Usually scabies are not accompanied by complications and successfully treated with the help of special ointments, although their use can be associated with a certain discomfort. Ticks that affect domestic animals, such as dogs, can be introduced into the human body for a short time. Infection with this variety of ticks is also accompanied by intense itching, but the life cycle of the parasite can not end in the human body, so the invasion is limited. Scabies often parasitize in the interdigital spaces, wrist folds, under the mammary glands, around the nipples and in the navel. In men, the parasite can also live on the genitals, in young children, often a foot injury is observed. Rarely affects the skin of the neck and head. The main symptom of scabies is nocturnal itching, as it is during the night that female mites actively perform the strokes in the skin. Itching also appears due to the development of the allergic reaction of the human body to the mite's feces, as well as to the eggs laid by them. The allergy develops within 4-6 weeks, so most lesions in the early stages are asymptomatic. Subsequent contact with the parasite leads to immediate manifestation of symptoms. The diagnosis is based on the patient's anamnesis, as well as the detection of characteristic itch moves on the skin. If necessary, the diagnosis can be confirmed by isolating the tick identified at the end of the stroke, followed by microscopic identification. If the parasite can not be detected, the doctor can carefully scrape the contents of the stroke with a scalpel and examine the resulting material under a microscope. The presence in the sample of eggs, mites or their feces confirms the diagnosis. Scabies are rarely accompanied by severe complications. However, problems can occur in people with a skin sensitivity disorder, as well as due to excessive scratching of the skin and attachment of a secondary infection. In the pathological focus on the skin, secondary infection can develop, which in rare cases leads to kidney damage. In patients with paralysis or suffering from impaired sensitivity due to nerve damage and mental disorders, the symptoms of pruritus are absent and do not lead to the appearance of scratching.
Norwegian scabies
Norwegian scabies are characterized by the introduction of a large number of mites in the body and the absence of itching. This disease has received such a name, since it was first described in patients with leprosy (leprosy) in Norway. Parasitized skin becomes dense and crusted. Ticks can spread throughout the body. In the cover that covers the skin, there are a large number of ticks, which, if peeled, can lead to infection of the contact persons with the development of ordinary scabies.
Treatment
It is important that all members of the family who have been diagnosed with scabies are treated. Strictly observe the prescribed instructions. There are a large number of anti-scaly drugs, which include such active ingredients as malathion, permethrin, crotamiton and benzyl benzoate. In some cases, a systemic antiscalant ivermectin is used, but the use of local remedies is usually more effective. Some medications are contraindicated in children and pregnant women. In the case of classic scabies, an anti-Scab agent is applied to the entire body, starting from the neck, including the genitals and feet. It should be left on the skin to act for 24 hours, after which it must be washed off. Itching and lesions on the skin are caused by an allergic reaction to the eggs and feces of mites. These symptoms can persist for up to 6 weeks after the parasites are eliminated. Special local remedies help relieve unpleasant symptoms. With secondary infection of the lesion, a course of systemic antibiotic therapy is necessary. Treatment of Norwegian scabies involves a repetition of the course of therapy. The patient should shortly cut the nails and apply anti-steroids under them. Exfoliate scales of skin should be carefully scraped off using a toothbrush. An anti-scratch drug is applied to the entire body, including the head. Treatment of persons who have come into contact with a patient with Norwegian scabies is carried out using methods used in the classical form of the disease.