SCABIES |
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General Information
DEFINITION--A disease of the skin caused by a parasitic mite (the "itch" mite) with a characteristic pattern of distribution involving skin of the finger webs and folds under the arms, breasts, elbows, genitals and buttocks. Scabies is contagious from person to person (by shared clothing or bed linen) and from one site to another in the same person. Outbreaks are likely among teammates using crowded locker facilities.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Small, itchy blisters in several parts of the body. The blisters break easily when scratched.
Broken blisters leave scratch marks and thickened skin, crisscrossed by grooves and scaling.
CAUSES & RISK FACTORSInfestation by a mite that burrows into deep skin layers, where the female mite deposits eggs. Eggs mature into adult mites in 3 weeks. Mites are 0.1mm in diameter and can only be seen under a microscope. Scratching collects mites and eggs under the fingernails, so they spread to other parts of the body. Spreading increases with crowded or unsanitary living conditions.
HOW TO PREVENT
Avoid contact with persons or linen and clothing that you suspect may be infected with scabies.
Maintain personal cleanliness: Bathe daily, or at least 2 or 3 times a week.
Wash hands before eating.
Launder clothes often.
Observe the rules of locker-room hygiene (see Appendix 4).
WHAT TO EXPECT
DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES
Your own observation of symptoms.
Medical history and physical exam by a doctor. The diagnosis is confirmed by discovering the mite, lifting it with a needle or sharp scalpel point from its burrow, and identifying it under a microscope.
SURGERYNot necessary nor useful with this disease.
NORMAL COURSE OF ILLNESS Itching usually disappears quickly, and evidence of the disease is gone in 1 to 2 weeks with treatment. If skin irritation persists longer than this, oral antihistamines or topical steroids may be necessary to break the itch-scratch cycle. When untreated, scabies can last for years.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONSSecondary bacterial infection of mite-infested areas of inflammation.
HOW TO TREAT
NOTE -- Follow your doctor's instructions. These instructions are supplemental.
MEDICAL TREATMENTNone necessary after diagnosis.
HOME TREATMENT
Bathe thoroughly before applying the prescribed medicine.
Apply medicine from the neck down, and cover the entire body.
Wait 15 minutes before dressing.
Carefully wash all clothes and toys used prior to or during treatment. You don't need to clean furniture or floors with special care.
Leave medicine on the skin for 2 hours before bathing.
You may need to repeat in 1 week. Ask your doctor.
If many members of a team are infested, it will be most effective to treat the entire team, including those without symptoms, at one time. Lockers should also be disinfected.
MEDICATIONYour doctor may prescribe a pediculocide such as gamma benzene hexachloride or crotamiton cream. Infants and pregnant women may need a pediculocide that is less toxic, such as a 6% solution of sulfur.
ACTIVITYNo restrictions.
DIETNo special diet.
CALL YOUR DOCTOR IF
You have symptoms of scabies.
After treatment, the lesions show signs of infection (redness, pus, swelling or pain).
New, unexplained symptoms develop. Drugs used in treatment may produce side effects.
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