SCABIES

Scabies is a parasitic infection by the parasitic mite Sarcoptes scabiei. Signs and symptoms of its clinical presentation consist of red, itchy elevations in the skin called papules and burrows found between skin folds, called intergtriginous areas, such as the finger and toes webs, groin and folds of the thigh. These lesions are highly contagious and can spread easily from person to person.

Picture of Scabies Mite

Laboratory Diagnosis of Scabies

Scabies is usually diagnosed clinically, by inspection of lesions by a doctor; however, microscopic identification of the Sarcoptes scabiei mite in skin scrapings is confirmatiory.

Picture of Scabies Burrow in the Skin

Treatment of Scabies

Patients and all close contacts, such as household members, are treated with Permethrin 5% cream which is applied to the entire body for 8-10 hours. This is repeated again within a week. In addition, household precautions must be taken, such as washing all bed materials in hot water the same day. Any subsequent inflammatory reactions to the dead mites materials can be treated with over-the-counter antihistamines.

Lindane cream is widely known to be also used for Scabies; however, recent reports discourage its use due to its ineffectiveness and side-effects in children.