Scabies - the first signs, means of treatment
A skin disease caused by a scabies mite is called scabies. The condition is quite unpleasant, causes discomfort, and is contagious. Everyone should know the symptoms of scabies infection - this will help to start treatment immediately and prevent infection of others.
How infection occurs
Infection with scabies through contact with a patient is the most common way of infection. But it can also happen when using dishes, towels and any objects that the patient has touched. Roughly speaking, you can get scabies even after traveling in public transport, if you grab the handrail immediately after an infected person.
The female mite that got on the skin begins to move along the stratum corneum and makes moves in which she lays eggs-larvae. After a few days, adult ticks emerge from the deposited larvae. The entire process from laying eggs to the appearance of sexually mature individuals takes a maximum of 14 days.
Knowing the movements of the scabies mite, you can understand what scabies looks like in adults - the skin has thin "threads"-movements, winding and intermittent - the path along which the female moves. In other places, small bite points are noted.
How does scabies appear
In medicine, it is customary to distinguish several types of diseases, which can give a different clinical picture. But any scabies can be manifested by itching and rashes - the first signs of the disease. Characteristically, the scabies mite is active at night, and the characteristic itching disturbs the patient's sleep. The result is not only traces of scratching on the skin, but also irritability and a bad mood.
Traditionally, scabies appears on the hands (between the fingers and on the elbows), on the stomach, thighs, and less often on the buttocks and neck.
There is so-called ear scabies - the parasite settles in the auricles. In this case, a person suffers from severe itching, which cannot be relieved without using ear sticks/matches and other objects that pose a danger to the hearing organs. The initial stage of ear scabies will be accompanied by slight itching on the hands, but the parasite quickly moves to the "place of permanent dislocation".
Norwegian scabies is worth mentioning separately - infection also occurs through contact with a sick person, but intense symptoms appear only against the background of low immunity, after paralysis, with some genetic diseases. Norwegian scabies after treatment requires restoration of hair and nails.
Diagnostic measures
As soon as the first signs of scabies appear on the body, you should seek qualified medical help. This disease is dealt with by a dermatologist, who will carry out the diagnosis.
It is enough for a specialist to look at the areas of the body affected by the scabies mite, and he will be able to make an accurate diagnosis. If there are doubts, these areas are smeared with iodine - after drying, all the moves will be revealed by a brown line.
How to treat scabies
Drugs and ointments for the disease must meet the following requirements:
- destroy not only sexually mature parasites, but also their larvae;
- have minimal toxicity;
- be easy to use;
- do not soil clothes and skin so that the patient can lead a normal life.
Most often, doctors prescribe sulfur ointment, crotamiton or permethrin solution - these agents are applied externally and are able to quickly destroy the scabies mite and its larvae. It is important to choose the right treatment for scabies in children. Medicines must be absolutely non-toxic and hypoallergenic.
Regardless of which drug will be chosen for treatment, you need to know the rules of its use:
- The treatment of the affected areas of the body should be carried out in strict accordance with the scheme given by the doctor.
- The entire body is treated, but special attention should be paid to the armpits, inguinal folds, and popliteal fossa. The hairy part of the head is processed only in children. Adults should not do this.
- It is impossible to allow even a small amount of medication to get into the eyes. If this happens, you need to call the "Ambulance" team and wash your eyes with clean water until the specialists arrive.
- Any medicine should be applied by hand.
How to treat scabies in humans:
- The first day - in the evening, the infected person washes himself in the shower with soap, wipes himself dry and treats the whole body with the selected drug. You must wear clean clothes and change bed linen.
- The second-third day – you cannot take a shower, change underwear/bedclothes.
- Fourth day – take a shower with soap, apply the drug to the skin, change clothes and underwear.
- Fifth day - the patient washes under the shower, changes underwear and clothes.
Pay attention: many are interested in the question "how to get rid of scabies on the hands." This localization of the disease does not mean that only the affected areas can be treated - the scabies mite can simply go to another place.
After the treatment, you need to visit a dermatologist for a control examination. This is usually done on the tenth day after the start of therapy. An indicator of recovery will be the absence of scabies, itching and scratching on the skin.
Preventive measures
The causes and prevention of scabies "walk" side by side, because you can get infected with it only by communicating with an already infected person or by coming into contact with objects after using it. For prevention, experts recommend washing your hands as often as possible, preferably wiping them with any liquid antiseptic. Chlorhexidine is a good option - a convenient bottle can easily fit in a purse or car glove box, and washing your hands several times a day will be an excellent prevention of scabies.
Related services:
Dermatologist consultation
Dermatovenerology
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