Human scabies is a skin disease, also called scabies, which is caused by the mite Sarcoptes Scabiei, which infects the skin and causes symptoms such as intense itching and redness.
This disease is easily transmitted between people of the same family through the sharing of clothes, sheets or towels, for example, and it is therefore recommended to avoid direct contact with the infected person's skin or with his clothes, at least until the end of the period. treatment. Although it is also common in animals, scabies are not caught from the dog, as the parasites are different.
This disease can be cured through the treatment indicated by the dermatologist, which usually includes the use of remedies for scabies such as permethrin or benzoyl, for example.
Main symptoms
The most common symptom of human scabies is the appearance of a very itchy skin that worsens at night. If you think you may have this disease, select which of the symptoms you are experiencing:
- 1. Itchy skin that gets worse at night Yes No
- 2. Small blisters on the skin, especially in the folds Yes No
- 3. Red plaques on the skin Yes No
- 4. Lines near bubbles that look like paths or tunnels Yes No
The first time you are infected with scabies mite, symptoms can take up to 2 months to appear, while in subsequent cases the symptoms appear faster, appearing in less than 4 days.
When there are no symptoms, the disease can be spread from person to person. Thus, when a case in the family arises, it is important to test everyone who has been in contact with the infected person to make the diagnosis and start treatment, if necessary.
Scabies is contagious
Human scabies is a very contagious disease that can easily pass between people through direct skin contact. This is because the female Sarcoptes Scabiei mite lives and lays its eggs in the most superficial layer of the skin, facilitating its transmission.
In addition, the disease can be transmitted even if it is not causing symptoms yet, which reduces care to prevent its spread. Thus, even if scabies are not suspected, it is important to adopt care that prevents the transmission of this type of disease, such as:
- Do not share bath towels; Avoid sharing unwashed clothes; Wash your skin at least once a day; Avoid direct contact with people living in places with poor hygiene conditions.
In the case of clothes that cannot be washed frequently, a good option is to put them inside a closed plastic bag while they are not being used, as this prevents the mite from being able to feed, eventually being eliminated.
How to Treat Scabies
The treatment for human scabies should be guided by a dermatologist, as it can vary according to the severity of the infestation and the type of skin of each person. However, it is usually done with scabies remedies like:
- Permethrin: is a cream that must be applied to the skin to eliminate the mite and its eggs. Can be used on adults, pregnant women and children over 2 years; Crotamiton: can be purchased in the form of a cream or lotion that must be applied daily. It should not be used by pregnant women or breastfeeding women; Ivermectin: is a pill that strengthens the immune system and helps to eliminate the mite. It should not be used by pregnant women, breastfeeding women or children under 15 kg.
Generally, these remedies should be applied to the entire body, from the neck down, and should be in contact with the skin for 8 hours, so it is recommended to do the treatment before bed.
In addition, during treatment it is also important to maintain proper body hygiene and wash all clothes, sheets or towels that have been in direct contact with the skin in hot water.
People from the same family should go to the dermatologist to assess whether they have also been infected by the mite, starting treatment, if necessary.
Home remedy for scabies
An excellent natural home remedy to relieve scabies symptoms and facilitate treatment is aloe gel. This gel has properties that soothe the skin, reduce itching and can help eliminate dust mites.
To use this remedy, you must remove the gel from the inside of an aloe leaf and spread it over the affected regions, leaving it to act for at least 15 minutes. then the region should be washed with water and neutral pH soap.
Check out other recipes for natural remedies for scabies.
