Anti Aging Skin Care » Skin Disorders » Scabies Skin Disorder

Scabies Skin Disorder

Scabies is dreadfully contagious type of skin disorder caused by very small wingless insects or mites. The parasite mite that causes scabies in humans is called human itch maite or Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis.This condition has caused problems to human beings for a long time. This is only one type of parasitic organism that can complete its life cycle on the bodies of human hosts. Even though animal mites can also cause temporary allergic reactions to individuals, they are not capable to infest humans.

The number of symptoms caused by scabies occurs because of allergic reactions to the mites' secretions and eggs. The mites feed on human blood and they infect the skin with their bites releasing substances that are toxic to the human body. As soon as they burrow inside the epidermis, scabies mites cause inflammation, rashes and itch. If scabies is not identified in time, the mite infestation can cause serious symptoms such as skin lesions and ulcerations, formation of crust, painful nodules, blisters and pustules. The skin regions affected by scabies are very susceptible to bacterial infections, while some patients develop skin disorders such as impetigo.

There are countless misunderstanding and illogical ideas regarding scabies. Due to the high occurrence of scabies among people from lower classes of society, one would be obligatory to believe that scabies is the result of improper hygiene and unhealthy lifestyle. In reality, the level of hygiene does not really persuade the occurrence or the development of scabies. Current studies have revealed the fact that good personal hygiene cannot successfully prevent infestation with scabies mites. However, it can be accepted that proper hygiene can only delay the occurrence of scabies and its generated symptoms.

The definite reason for the high occurrence of scabies in less developed urban societies is overcrowding. Scabies is extremely contagious and it can be easily transmitted through direct physical contact. Thus living in overcrowded conditions spreads scabies from one family member to another.

Scabies outbreaks are very widespread in overcrowded orphanages, kindergartens, schools and hospitals. During scabies epidemic, everybody should follow a suitable treatment in order to prevent the occurrence of the disease.

Scabies mites can survive for several days in the absence of a human host. Within this period, the parasitic scabies mites can easily infect bed sheets, towels, clothes and various personal items. Although scabies is rarely acquired indirectly, doctors strongly suggest washing any objects that may be contaminated with scabies mites.

Scabies persists to be contagious even on the duration of the medical treatment. As a preventative measure, people affected by scabies should avoid entering in close contact with other persons until they complete the treatment prescribed by a dermatologist. When the symptoms of scabies continue for more than a week after the treatment it is a possible sign of re-infestation with mites. If the doctor comes across the new traces of mite infestation, then the treatment for scabies should be repeated.

To conclude that, scabies mite infection is caused neither by poor hygiene nor by lack of sanitation, but it is caused due to close personal contact and overcrowding.