ScabiesMy sister brought her young child to the doctor with a rash. She had presumed it was eczema, but was taken aback to be told it was scabies. What exactly is this?
Scabies is a highly infectious skin infestation caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite. The tiny mite burrows just below the skin where the female lays her eggs.
Once the eggs hatch they spread out over the skin, causing a red lumpy rash.
Sometimes small wavy burrow lines can be seen or felt on the skin. The rash tends to develop in the folds between the fingers, on the thighs and inside the wrists. It can also be found on the trunk, armpits and elbows.
In women it can develop around the nipples, while in men it often make its presence felt around the genitals.
The itch becomes worse with warmth and at night and the constant scratching can cause sores to develop.
Scabies is spread from person to person through close personal contact (skin to skin), particularly in overcrowded environments. Scabies symptoms can be easily confused with other conditions such as urticaria or eczema.
She was given a lotion to use but a week later her child is still scratching. Why is this ?
Itching is the main symptom of scabies and often only starts 4-6 weeks after infection.
The itch is caused by an allergic reaction to the faeces of the scabies mite. Treatment is with a topical chemical solution and as guidelines regarding application will vary from product to product it is important to read the instructions carefully.
Unfortunately one of the features of scabies is that itching can persist even after successful treatment. Having said that, if it is still a feature 10 days after treatment a return visit to her doctor would be advisable.
In addition to treating the entire family, the GP advised my sister to inform the crèche her child attends. Needless she is a little embarrassed and wonders if this is really necessary?
It is strongly recommended that all close contacts be treated as well as the patient. It is therefore imperative that the staff of the crèche be informed. By not informing the carers, your sister runs the risk of spreading the condition and of her child being reinfected by another sufferer. She has to tell them.