Skin disease caused by mites

Description

Scabies or contagious disease caused by tiny insect called mites (Sarcoptes scabiei). The burrows of the mites cause intense itch in the skin which is the strongest at the night. The infection is easily spread through close contact in the family, in schools, child care centres or nursing homes.

Symptoms

Intense itch which is the strongestduring the night. Thin marked line (burrows) which appears between the fingers, in the armpit, at the weist, inside the elbows, on the bottom of feet, around wrists, on the buttocks, on the shoulders, on the knees and around the breasts.

Overview

History of disease is being taken and physical examination is being done. Diagnosis can be performed based on the rash. A doctor can examine the skin and look for the mite eggs with a microscope.

Specialists

Dermatology, General Practice, Internal Medicine

Therapy

Treatment includes taking of medical cream on prescription. Two most common are permethrin and corotamiton. For more severe cases and those with weakened immune system oral medicine ivermectin may be used. Despite the treatment itch can last for weeks and antihistamines can be prescribed.