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What Are Scabies Mites?

Scabies is a painful and annoying insect-borne infestation of the skin. It requires specialized treatment to stop the infection, and care must be taken to disinfect items used by the infected patient as well. Treatment does not take long and is generally very effective. The reaction and symptoms are caused by allergies to the mites.

  1. Identification

    • According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), scabies is an "infestation of the skin by the human itch mite (Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis). The microscopic scabies mite burrows into the upper layer of the skin where it lives and lays its eggs."

    Life Cycle

    • The scabies mite has a four-stage lifecycle: egg, larva, nymph and adult. According to the Center for Disease Control, female mites will lay three to four eggs as they burrow under the skin of their host. The eggs will hatch in three to four days, and the larvae will burrow to the skin surface and construct burrows called molting pouches. After another three to four days, the larva will reach adult size and mating occurs when a male penetrates the molting pouch of an adult female. Once impregnated, a female can produce eggs for life.

    Symptoms

    • Scabies can cause intense itching and burning sensations as well as a skin rash. According to the Directors of Health Promotion & Education site: "An early scabies rash will show up on the skin as a line of tiny blisters or little red bumps. In more serious cases, the skin might be crusty or scaly." In adults, the infection will usually first show up in body folds, such as between the fingers, elbows, wrists, buttocks or waistline.

    Treatment

    • Products called scabicides are used to treat scabies infections. Prescription strength lotions and creams can be applied to all areas of the body beneath the neck. Any bedding or clothing used by an infected patient should be washed in hot water and dried on a hot cycle, then sealed in plastic for 72 hours or kept away from human contact.

    Geography

    • Scabies is a worldwide infestation and does not occur more or less in certain countries. Areas or establishments with large numbers of people are more susceptible to infection, because skin-to-skin contact spreads the insects.

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