Scabies Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Scabies in medical language is known as scabies. This is a skin disease caused by the mite (mite) Sarcoptes scabei. These mites are very small and can only be seen with a microscope or are microscopic.
This disease is easily transmitted from human to human or from animal to human or vice versa. Scabies or scabies is very easy to spread. The spread can be directly through direct contact with sufferers or indirectly through clothes, sheets, towels, pillows, water, or combs that have been used by sufferers.
Symptoms
The main symptom of scabies or scabies is itching of the skin, especially at night. This is due to higher mite activity when the temperature is humid, such as temperature at night.
Besides there are several other symptoms of scabies or scabies, namely
- Itching between the fingers, wrists, outer elbows, front armpit folds, navel, and lower abdomen
- Itching on the buttocks and groin
- Itching around the nipples and breast area (in women)
- Itching of the genitals (in men)
Reason
Scabies or scabies is caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei. Sarcoptes females that are in the skin layer will tunnel into the skin layer. It is in these tunnels that the female Sarcoptes lays her eggs.
In a short time, the egg hatched into a hypopi, namely young Sarcoptes. As a result of the tunnels dug by the female Sarcoptes and the hypopis which eat the cells in the skin layer, sufferers experience itching.
Diagnosis
Doctors can determine the diagnosis of scabies or scabies by gathering information. The doctor will ask about your complaints or symptoms.
In addition, the doctor can perform a skin examination. Through this examination, the doctor can find signs of mites on the skin. If mites are hard to find, to be sure the doctor will test the part of the skin where the mites are suspected under a microscope.
Treatment
Treatment of scabies or scabies is not too difficult. The doctor will give you a cream that you can apply all over your body that you can leave all night. After that, wash it clean. This treatment is usually repeated after 1 week.
But there are also other creams that you have to wash off after 8 hours. You can also apply the cream all over your body from the neck down.
Both drugs are quite effective. But make sure you have consulted a doctor first before using it.
In addition, oral medication can also be done. For example, using antihistamines such as CTM to reduce itching. Another thing you can do is soak your clothes, sheets and blankets in hot water.
Prevention:
- Avoid exchanging clothes or towels
- If there is 1 person in the house who has scabies or scabies, it is best if all members of the house are treated too
- Change sheets, towels and pillowcases regularly
- Maintain cleanliness and sanitation of the house
Prevention
- Avoid exchanging clothes or towels
- If there is 1 person in the house who has scabies or scabies, it is best if all members of the house are treated too
- Change sheets, towels and pillowcases regularly
- Maintain cleanliness and sanitation of the house
- Wash your hands properly under running water and using soap, to maintain personal hygiene