Scabies
Scabies is a contagious skin condition caused by the scabies mite (Sarcoptes scabiei), a microscopic mite that burrows into the skin. Scabies is spread through close skin-to-skin contact and is not a sign of poor hygiene. The condition has become more common in recent years and can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, or social status.
The scabies mite lays eggs in the skin burrows, and it is the body’s allergic reaction to the mite’s feces that causes the intense itching. It can take two to six weeks after infection for symptoms to appear in a first-time infection.
Symptoms
- Intense itching, especially at night
- Small red dots and blisters on the skin
- Visible burrows in the skin (thin, wavy lines)
- Common areas: between the fingers, wrists, elbows, around the navel, genitals
- The itching can spread over large parts of the body
- Secondary skin infection from scratching
When should you contact a doctor?
- You suspect scabies in yourself or family members
- Intense itching that is worse at night
- You have been in close contact with a person who has been diagnosed with scabies
- Symptoms persist after treatment
- Signs of skin infection with redness, warmth, or pus
Treatment
Scabies is treated with a prescription cream (permethrin) applied to the entire body from the neck down. The entire household should be treated simultaneously, including those without symptoms. Bedding and clothes must be washed at at least 60 degrees Celsius. A doctor at Eyr can diagnose via video, prescribe treatment, and provide detailed instructions to ensure the treatment is effective.
