Proper home care can avoid scabies

Among skin diseases, scabies is one of the most commonly found one. This contagious skin disease is caused by a small mite that cannot be viewed by our naked eyes. People get infected with this disease mainly because of poor sanitation, overcrowding and social disruption. The infection spread from one person to another through direct skin contact and sexual contact.

The species of mite that spread this disease is Sarcoptes scabieiburrow. This mite cannot be alive outside the human body for more than three days. But when it enters into human body, it will survive for at least one month. The mite lives in the human body and lay eggs on the skin. It is the female mite that burrows into the skin and lay eggs. These eggs later hatches and grow into adult mites. So a person infected with scabies will have the condition for several months or years.

People will have itchy sensation when mites burrow into the skin. The rash caused by bites of mites is sometimes called “the seven-year itch”. Animals also get infected with this disease. But the mite that causes scabies in animals is a different one.

This disease can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, race, social class, or personal-hygiene habits. The probability to get infected with this disease is more to people who are working in hospitals and small nursing homes. The syndrome caused by scabies is called ‘crusted scabies’ or ‘Norwegian scabies’.

People who have poor immune system or who are malnourished can get infected with this syndrome, which causes skin thickening and a scaly rash. It is estimated that nearly 300 million people have this contagious diseases. The level of infection varies according to the place they are residing in.

What are the symptoms of scabies? Most common symptom of scabies is itching, especially at night. Other symptoms are development of rashes between the fingers and sores or abrasion on the skin from scratching and digging. In young children, mites make small blisters on the head, neck, shoulders and palms. Meanwhile in adult people, rashes can be seen on their hands, wrists, genitals and abdomen.

It’s better to show a doctor before the symptoms get worse. It is advisable to use prescription medicated creams to treat scabies infection. One of the most commonly used creams is permethrin 5%. Other creams used for scabies include benzyl benzoate, sulfur in petrolatum, and crotamiton. Because of some side effects, most doctors avoid prescribing Lindane.

As scabies is an infectious disease, a person infected in the family is enough to spread the disease to other family members. So the whole family or sexual partners of infected person should be treated, even if they do not have symptoms. Different medical programs coming on several television channels powered by providers like xfinity TV, help you to know more about the diseases, its causes, symptoms and treatment.

Though you cannot cure a case of scabies without proper prescription medication from a doctor, there are certain things you can do at home to keep the mite way from infesting yourself or your family. Try to wash all your towels, clothing and bed linens at least three days a week. Clean and vacuum the carpets and upholstered furniture. Cut your nails at least once in a week, and clean them thoroughly with hot water to remove any mites or eggs that may be present. And in hospitals, staff should use gloves and gowns when treating patients who have a suspicious rash and itching. By taking proper care we can avoid scabies infection.

Annphilip - About Author:
As a freelancer, Ann is interested in writing about skin related diseases, its symptoms, cause and treatment. She gets ideas on this from different programs airing on her television connected to xfinity TV.

Article Source:
http://www.articleside.com/health-articles/proper-home-care-can-avoid-scabies.htm

Related Health Articles

Related Health Topics

lung problem amla powder lasik houston indoor tanning cleveland vet lustral ear infection psychoanalysis long term plan infection