Umm Ahmed suddenly and without warning noticed the appearance of frightening signs on her child’s skin, such as a rash, thick crusts, and multiple sores with severe itching. At first, she neglected the matter, and it came to her mind that they were signs of eczema, but she was surprised that they spread to her other child, and she knew that eczema was Not contagious! What happened to Ahmed? How did he move to it?

It's scabies! It is a contagious disease, my butterfly, and it is widely spread these days. Have you ever been exposed to this condition and someone you know has been infected with it? Do you know how to deal with this disease?

If you answered yes to the previous questions, do not be afraid, my butterfly. You are not alone in this suffering, and many were able to overcome scabies after following the rules and instructions. You just have to continue reading, because in this article, we will learn about scabies, its symptoms, diagnosis, method of treatment, and everything related to it.

What is Scabies 

Scabies is a skin disease that is accompanied by severe itching caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei var hominis, which is a small burrowing mite that causes itching of the skin in the areas where it is found and burrows. The itching increases at night.

After the mites penetrate human skin, the adults mate and lay eggs that hatch, which in turn produce larvae. These larvae make small burrows in the skin called moult cysts, and these cysts turn into nymphs that later become adults, to spread, causing infections and ulcers and spreading to more areas on the skin.

Scabies is a contagious disease that spreads quickly through direct contact between the infected person and other people present near him, such as family members, school classrooms, childcare associations, prisons, or nursing homes. Because scabies spread easily, doctors often recommend treating all family members and examining everyone who has been in direct contact with the infected person.

Where Do Scabies Mites Settle on the Human Body?

As we talked about previously, mites cause scabies, and live in narrow cracks and folds on the skin. Here we will mention to you the most important places where mites can be found in adults:

• The area around the nipples
• Under watch straps
• Under rings and bracelets
• Under the nails
• The area around the waist
• Wrist and knees
• Folds in the thigh
• Genital areas
• The creases between the toes and hands
• Underarms
• The inside of the wrists
• The soles of the feet
• Around the navel
• On the buttocks

Common places for scabies to appear in infants are:

• The soles of the feet
• Palms
• The face
• Scalp and neck
• Fingers

High-Risk People with Scabies 

Scabies may affect anyone, not only children but adults, and you may be one of them! But do not be afraid, my butterfly. At the end of the article, you will be familiar with all the information related to scabies, and able to deal with it and eliminate it! And you do not have to feel ashamed, because it is not a disease resulting from lack of hygiene, as some believe. Here we will mention to you a list of people most at risk of contracting scabies:

• Healthcare workers who care for patients who do not know they have scabies
• The elderly. The incidence of scabies increases among the elderly who live in nursing homes.
• Infants
• Children, because children have a large area of ​​direct contact with their class friends and families.
• People who live in the same house or similar circumstances
• People in crowded places
• People with severe illnesses who are hospitalized

Scabies Symptoms

It may take four to six weeks for you to become infected with scabies before symptoms begin to appear, which appear in the form of bumps that look like bumps and pimples, and a red rash.

The rash spreads over weeks or several months, and slowly to other areas of the body.

The symptoms of scabies do not stop at the red rash only, there are other important symptoms that you should pay attention to, which are:

• A skin rash that appears as skin-colored or gray lines.
• Bumps on the skin that are scratched and sometimes become infected
• Severe itching that gets worse at night and makes sleeping difficult

Children feel tired, lethargic, and upset when they have scabies, due to lack of sleep and severe itching all over their bodies.

Your symptoms may appear within a few days of your exposure to scabies mites if you have previously been infected with them, but if you are infected for the first time, the appearance of symptoms can be delayed for a period of up to six weeks. Be careful! You will transmit the infection to others even if you do not have symptoms in case you have scabies.

Scabies Types

There are many types of scabies, which differ from the classic form (the basic type). In this paragraph, we will learn about the different types of scabies that a person can become infected with:

Scabies scalp

This scabies is localized in the scalp area. It may not show clear symptoms, but it appears as crusts on the scalp similar to the scales in psoriasis.

Crusted Scabies 

This type of scabies is the most widespread among children. It is considered a difficult type, because the red and brown nodules may remain present for long periods even after the mites disappear.

Nodular Scabies 

It is a highly contagious condition. This type of scabies affects people with low immunity and those who suffer from a defect in their immune system. It is the most common type of scabies. This type manifests itself in the form of scaly areas covering large areas of the skin, with the appearance of what resembles scales. It is caused by millions of mites. It is different from what we see in classic scabies, as they are caused by 10 to 15 mites, yet they may not be accompanied by itching.

Nodular scabies should be treated as soon as possible under the supervision of a doctor, using creams and oral tablets.

Bullous Scabies 

This type of disease is confused with bullous pemphigoid in adults, as their symptoms are similar to the appearance of skin blisters.

You must consult a doctor or health care provider to diagnose you with scabies and begin treating it properly so that it does not worsen and cause you serious complications, which we will talk about later!

Scabies Diagnosis

How do I know if I or one of my children has scabies? What is the correct thing to do if I suspect that I have scabies?

This question must have come to your mind when you read the title of the article! If you suspect, my dear, that you or one of your children is infected with scabies, you must go to the doctor to consult him and examine you and your children.

A doctor can diagnose most cases of scabies just by looking closely at the skin. Your caregiver may apply mineral oil to the areas of the rash, use a scalpel to scrape the skin, take a sample of it, and place it under a microscope to see the mites, their eggs, and their spread.

Scabies mites under a microscope

The scabies mite cannot be seen unless it is enlarged, because the mite is very small, like the size of the head of a needle, so it is difficult to see it. The color of the scabies mite is white to creamy white, with a round body and eight legs.

Prepare to go to the doctor

You must pay attention to several steps and prepare before you go to the doctor:

• Make a specific appointment with your doctor or caregiver
• Write down any distinctive or strange symptoms that have appeared on you or your children, and how long these symptoms lasted
• Write down possible sources of infection and a list of people you have been in direct contact with
• Write down your and your family's medical information, and whether any of you suffer from any chronic diseases or health problems
• Write down the questions you want to ask the doctor.

Scabies Treatment

Don't worry, my friend. Scabies are often treated traditionally at home but under the supervision of a doctor or health care provider.

Because scabies spread quickly, your doctor will recommend treating all members of your family and anyone who has been in direct contact with you, even if they do not show signs of scabies.

Permethrin 5%

It is one of the beneficial treatments for scabies. The doctor prescribes permethrin ointment, which is a medication in the form of a topical cream that must be applied directly to the skin of the entire body. The cream is placed on the skin for a period ranging from 9 to 14 hours and then washed well.

_Apply permethrin cream in the evening to your hands, palms, soles of your feet, the bottom of your head, and other areas where the rash appears due to scabies, and leave it until the morning, then wash it.

_You should apply permethrin cream to the scalp if your child has scabies, and it is important, my butterfly, to make sure to wash, clean, and dry your child’s skin before applying the cream.

Sulfur cream 5% - 10%

It is one of the options for treating scabies. It must be applied at night and left until the morning, then washed, and used for five consecutive days. This cream is safe for pregnant women and children less than two months old, and it has one negative, which is an unpleasant smell for some.

Ivermectin

It is the second option for treating scabies. It is prescribed for people with scabies of the nodular type, as well as for people with weak immunity. It is an anti-parasitic pill, prescribed by the doctor, and taken as one dose per week, then repeated with a second dose the following week.

Ivermectin is taken if the anti-scabies creams and ointments prescribed by the doctor are not effective.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, my butterfly, stay away from ivermectin, as it is harmful to the health of children whose weight ranges between 1-15 kilograms, and can cause complications that you do not need!

Antihistamines

Antihistamines can be a good option for the doctor to treat scabies, as well as treat other types of infections if they are present, and relieve itching. They are pills that are taken orally or creams that are applied topically.

We inform you, Madam, that scabies mites are eliminated after only one course of treatment, and treatment does not need to be repeated except under the supervision of a doctor, and if the infection returns or does not respond to treatment at all.

The bumps and folds caused by scabies mites should disappear after 4 weeks from starting treatment.

The most important question that must be answered now: When does the itching stop?

The itching feeling may continue to accompany you for up to four weeks from the start of treatment. The itching takes time to disappear, even after killing the mites that caused it. You can apply anti-allergy ointments, such as calamine oil, to reduce the itching, or take oral anti-allergy medications available without prescriptions.

Is scabies difficult to treat?

As we talked about previously, scabies are treatable, but it can be difficult to get rid of them permanently! Some forms of scabies may be difficult to treat, such as the nodular form. It may require more than one round of treatment until it disappears completely and all the mites that cause it are eliminated. 

Scabies does not go away without treatment

Many women may wonder: What if I don't treat scabies? I won't go to the doctor, this is shameful!

No, my friend, this is not right! Scabies will not disappear on its own, if you do not treat it under the supervision of a doctor, and its symptoms will worsen for you and lead to serious complications such as herpes and other diseases, and you will transmit the disease to other people around you. The constant itching can lead to scratching and large wounds, which cause bacterial infections and various skin infections that must be treated before they escalate into more serious complications.

Returning to Normal Life after Scabies

You must be wondering, my dear, when can I return to work after contracting scabies? Will my children miss a lot of school due to scabies?

No, your children will not miss school. You and your children can lead your normal lives one day after receiving treatment.

Scabies Prevention

How do you prevent the spread of scabies? How do you prevent it from being transmitted from a family member to you?

Do not be afraid, my friend! I know that you feel terrified just knowing that a member of your family is infected with scabies! We will give you some instructions that may reduce the chances of spreading the disease:

Wash clothes and bedding with boiling water

Wash clothes, bed linens, and towels in hot water, and dry them at high heat in the washing machine. Heat kills the scabies mites and their eggs. Using hot water and soap to wash the linens, towels, clothes, and bed covers that were used in the last three days before starting treatment eliminates the mites at a higher rate. 

You can clean items and materials that get damaged in the washing machine by dry cleaning.

Cut off food from moths

Place the clothes and items that you cannot wash in a tightly sealed plastic bag, and leave it in a place out of the reach of others for a week or more, such as a car garage, as scabies mites die after several days without receiving food.

Clean well using a vacuum cleaner

Good, systematic vacuuming prevents the spread of scabies infection, and this type of cleaning is beneficial for people with crusted scabies.

Vacuum the floors, furniture, and carpets to get rid of the crusts that contain the mites that cause scabies.

Pay attention to your family and others

Make sure to check all members of your family and everyone you come into contact with, to ensure that scabies mites are not transmitted to them

Just as you would like your family members to be healthy, dear, you must bear responsibility for others and ensure that scabies are not transmitted to them! Isolate yourself or your infected family members from others and refrain from close contact with them.

Be careful, my butterfly! Being infected with scabies does not give you immunity and prevents you from contracting it in the future! You can get scabies two or three times, and each time you are exposed to direct contact with a person infected with scabies.

Conditions that You Should Consult Your Doctor after Treatment for Scabies

Consult your doctor or caregiver if you have any of the following conditions:

• The occurrence of undesirable side effects of the drug
• Signs of bacterial infection spread throughout your body, as they appear in the form of sores accompanied by pus and skin redness. Be careful, as this type of infection can lead to complications and serious medical problems.
• Skin problems and symptoms associated with scabies continue after a month, despite the end of treatment
• The appearance of worrying symptoms

Scabies and Eczema Differences

Scabies and eczema are two skin diseases that manifest in the form of a red, itchy rash. They have many similar symptoms, but there is a fundamental difference, which is that:

• Scabies is contagious and is caused by a parasite, which is the scabies mite that invades your body and appears in the form of gray lines. The treatment for scabies is to eliminate and get rid of the scabies mites that cause the symptoms.
• Eczema is not contagious. It is a rash of unknown causes, but it is not continuous. It comes and goes seasonally, appearing in the form of red blisters. The goal of treating eczema is to control the symptoms.

My beautiful butterfly, if you have severe itching that you cannot sleep and is accompanied by a red rash, you should contact your doctor or health care provider to get advice about these symptoms, as many diseases cause itching that can be taken into account, such as inflammation or eczema.

You may also be infected with scabies, which is a contagious disease. Do not be afraid, my friend, scabies is a disease that can be treated successfully, but it requires patience. Start your treatment immediately after you and the people around you have been examined, so that the disease does not spread to other people.

You are not alone in your suffering. There are thousands of people every day who are infected with scabies and begin treatment for it. Do not give up, be strong and join the people who have eliminated scabies and recovered. Our team wishes you continued health and wellness.

With this, we have concluded our article. We hope that you have benefited and learned everything you need to know about scabies, their treatment, and prevention. For more information and articles about fitness and everything related to women, do not hesitate to follow Frashti magazine or Sarah’s Pop Fit programs and challenges via YouTube videos.

FAQs about Scabies 

Can I see the mites that cause scabies with the naked eye?

Most often, the mites cannot be seen unless they are enlarged, because the mites are very small in size, the size of the head of a needle, so it is difficult to see them. The color of the scabies mites is white to creamy white, with a round body and eight legs.

When will I stop itching after starting scabies treatment?

The itching feeling may remain with you for up to four weeks from the start of treatment, as the itching takes time to disappear, even after killing the mites that cause it.

When can I return to work or school after scabies treatment?

You can return to work the day after starting treatment.

Does having scabies give me immunity that protects me from contracting it in the future?

No, you can get scabies two or three times each time by being in direct contact with a person infected with scabies.

Does scabies go away on its own?

No, scabies will not go away on their own, and if you do not treat them under the supervision of a doctor, your symptoms will worsen and lead to serious complications, and you will transmit the disease to other people around you.

Written by: Haidy Soliman

Translated by: Ph. Marah Mohamad

Sources:

Health line website

American Academy of dermology association

Mayo clinic 

Clevelan clinic

Cdc website

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