What is scabies?
Scabies (commonly known as scabies) is a skin infestation caused by a microscopic parasitic mite, called Sarcoptes scabiei, which when infesting the skin causes a reaction characterized by the formation of pimples and intense itching.
What are the symptoms of scabies?
The symptoms of scabies usually appear between 3 to 4 days or 3 to 6 weeks after infection, depending on whether or not there has been a previous infestation, and can last for several weeks, presenting:
- Intense itching, particularly at night
- reddish pimples on the skin, especially between the fingers, armpits, breasts, buttocks, wrist, knee, elbow, genitals, and abdomen (usually around the belly button)
How is scabies transmitted?
Scabies is transmitted through direct and prolonged contact with someone who has the parasite. It is common in people in the same family or between sexual partners.
Transmission is unlikely when: contact between people is short and through clothing, bedding or other objects of people with scabies.
What is the incubation period of the disease?
The incubation period varies between 3 days and 6 weeks.
Can scabies be transmitted between people?
yes. The infection spreads easily from human to human if no extra precautions are taken or if someone in the family is infected with the parasite.
It is transmitted through:
- prolonged direct contact with the infected person's skin, mainly through sexual contact
- sharing the same linen or bed (less frequent)
How is the diagnosis made?
Usually, the diagnosis of scabies involves only the preparation of the complete clinical history of the patient and the investigation of symptoms and signs of the disease. In doubtful cases, confirmation can be made by microscopic observation of the parasites, their eggs or feces.
Is it possible to prevent this infestation?
To prevent scabies and its transmission, you should:
- Avoid direct contact with infected people
- Do not share personal belongings, individual clothes and bed linen and towels
- Wash all clothes with water at high temperatures, or dry and iron clothes
- Place non-washable utensils (such as toys, shoes, belts) in a sealed plastic bag for about 1 week
What are the complications of scabies?
The main complication of scabies is the development of a secondary bacterial infection. This can happen if sores are created when scratching the skin due to the intense itching characteristic of the disease.
What is the treatment of scabies?
Treatment of scabies should always be prescribed by a doctor. Usually, it involves applying creams to the skin for the purpose of killing the parasite.
In addition, measures should be taken to prevent contagion, such as not sharing personal belongings, individual clothes and bed linen and towels and avoiding contact with other people.
What care should I take with a dog with mange?
You should avoid contact, for example hugging or sharing a bed, with a dog that has sarcoptic mange. The dog's bed should be changed and cleaned regularly.
A dog infected with mange should be treated quickly.
In addition to minimizing the dog's discomfort, it helps prevent transmission to humans. Animal scabies usually induce a self-limiting reaction in humans, since it belongs to a subspecies that does not reproduce in humans. Most veterinarians recommend treating all dogs in the household that have had an outbreak of mange, as the disease can also be contagious.
Source: Directorate-General for Health (DGS)