Scabies are caused from a mite that will only live on a human being. Without a human host, the mite can only survive three days. Scabies are contacted by having direct contact with the infected person, or by direct contact with the persons clothing, bedding or towels.
Significance
Scabies can affect any individual but they are most common in school age children and in those living in crowded conditions. Elderly patients and patients with weakened immune systems are also particularly vulnerable. A person infected with scabies for the first time may not show any symptoms for one to two months after being infested, but they can still spread the infection even though they do not have the symptoms.
Description
The female mite will burrow itself under the skin where it will lay eggs. The patient will develop a rash from the infestation that will appear as small shiny, raised and fluid filled nodules. The rash may appear to track in a small line where the mite burrows and tunnels a path under the skin. The rash is extremely itchy for the patient.
Locations
According to "Nursing 2007," in adults scabies are often found on the sides of fingers and in the web space. Scabies tend to be found in areas of the body that create a warm moist environment, so creases of the wrists, elbows and underarms are places they may be found. In children it is common to find burrows in the palms of their hands, soles of the feet and folds of the neck.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of scabies is generally made based upon the appearance of the rash and the history of the intense itching, which is usually worse at night. In many instances, other members of the household will complain of the same symptoms because it is contagious and has likely to spread throughout the family. Because of the intense itching caused by scabies, patients may scratch so much that the rash becomes infected.
Treatment
Treatment for scabies requires a specific medication, which is applied after a shower of bath and left on for eight hours, at which time it will be washed off. Some medications cannot be used in women who are pregnant or breast feeding. All clothing and bedding should be laundered in hot water to kill any remaining mites.
References
- "Nursing 2007"; The Truth About Scabies; Michelle Snow; Volume 37
- "Sheehy's Emergency Nursing Principles and Practice"; Mosby Elsevier; 2010
- "Current Treatment & Diagnosis Emergency Medicine" McGraw Hill; 2010
