Description
Sarcoptes Scabiei is a tiny mite that infests your skin, and though not technically disease it is a very bothersome parasite that has a fast gestation period and can quickly infect an entire household.
Symptoms
Scabies will cause intense itching, and out break of small red bumps and lines where the mite has burrowed into the skin lay eggs.
Transmission
Scabies is highly contagious and is spread primarily through physical contact, and contact with infested bed linen, towels, or furniture.
Treatment
Non-prescription remedies such as sulfur ointment are available. Sulfur is fairly effective but many object due to its odor and messiness. Prescription drugs from your doctor are usualy in the form of a cream you rub over the whole body. Keep in mind itching can persist even after the infestation has been eliminated due of lingering skin irritation. A hydrocortisone cream/ointment or a soothing lotion may provide relief from itching.
People may confuse scabies with poison ivy or eczema, to make an accurate assessment a doctor will takes a scraping of the irritated area and examines it under a microscope to look for any mites.
If anyone else lives with you, they should undergo scabies treatment as well. After twenty-four hours after being treated for scabies, you will no longer be contagious. Keep in mind the skin irritation will still effect you for a few days as the dead mites are pushed up and out of the skin. Much like lice, take care to rid clothing and bedding of any lingering mites. Make sure you finish any drug treatment prescribed by a doctor
