Scabies is a dermatological disease that has a high prevalence in the world. It is caused by the intradermal microparasite Sarcoptes scabiei and is very easily transmitted to other people. It is worth understanding what scabies is. It is important to detect the first signs of the disease as soon as possible in order to begin treatment.
Scabies mite
A tick lives between the stratum corneum and the granular layer of the epidermis. The female is slightly larger than the male. It reaches the following dimensions: 0.3-0.4 × 0.25-0.38 mm. Making passages inside the human skin, the female lays eggs. After two or three days, larvae emerge from them, and after one and a half to two weeks they are already full-fledged adult parasites capable of producing offspring.
Scabies live up to two months. Regardless of age, an insect can always infect a person. One individual in three months of life is capable of producing six generations of its own kind, the total number of which can reach one hundred and fifty million.
Interestingly, the scabies mite does not tolerate an unsuitable environment. High temperatures are especially detrimental.mode and low humidity. The tick dies in one hour if exposed to temperatures above 60 degrees Celsius, and also in a day if the humidity is less than 35 percent. Outside the body of the host, the parasite can live up to five days, and then dies.
Pathogenesis and features of the disease
Whatever signs of scabies we may observe, they are all the result of an allergic reaction of the body to the presence of a tick, as well as to its waste products, including eggs, saliva, excrement. Getting into a new human body, the scabies insect needs time to get used to it.
The incubation period can last from one to six weeks. During this time, the patient's immune system also begins to adapt to new conditions, reacting to the scabies mite. The more individuals that got to a person, the faster the symptoms will appear.
If one of the people has already been exposed to a similar disease, then when re-infected, the first sign of scabies will appear within a few hours. Due to such a prompt reaction of the immune system, a much smaller number of individuals are found on the skin. The severity of the rash and other manifestations depend on the severity of the allergic reaction in a particular person.
Unfortunately, often due to skin lesions with scabies, there are associated infections, such as staphylococcus aureus. The rash on the body becomes more diverse, pustules form, which complicates the treatment. During the day and in the morning, individuals are inactive, and in the evening and at night the female digs passages in human skin. She travels 2-3 millimeters per day and can lay up to four eggs.
Insect saliva is able to dissolve the human epidermis, it also forms a special solution that the insect itself feeds on. At night, mites crawl to the surface of the skin in order to mate or expand their possessions.
If such parasites move relatively slowly under the skin, then on the surface they are able to move at a speed of 25 millimeters per minute. In connection with this feature of the life of ticks, it becomes clear to us that the greatest risk of infection with them is at night through a common bed.
Manifestation of disease in adults
Signs of scabies in adults are almost the same. A person experiences itching, a rash appears on the body, sometimes with small transparent bubbles. Scabies mites appear. They are easy to see. It's like thin threads under the skin itself, which can be either straight or zigzag. However, sometimes there is scabies without moves, then it is almost impossible to detect it.
Scabies, the first signs of which occur after being bitten by a scabies mite, develops very quickly. Nodules of various sizes appear on the skin, and a little later, blood crusts form due to scratching.
The first signs of scabies in humans are erythematous papules. They can be multiple, and confluent, and scattered. Over time, the papular form turns into vesicles or even into a bullous rash. The type of rashes and their intensity depend on the degreeallergic reaction, but do not indicate the number of parasites in the body. Severe skin damage can lead to infections, pustules and eczema.
Most often, signs of scabies in adults can be found on the hands, in the interdigital folds, on the abdomen, in the elbows and legs. Often the rash occurs around the nipples, in the buttocks, on the skin of the penis in men, on the thighs and in the popliteal cavities.
Classification of disease manifestations
- Ardy's symptom in a disease like scabies. The first signs are purulent crusts and pustules in the elbow area.
- Gorchakov's symptom. Blood crusts are added to the above.
- Michaelis' symptom includes rashes in the intergluteal crease that extends to the sacrum.
- Cesari's symptom is the presence of itch moves that are detected by palpation.
Scratching any form of scabies usually leads to infections. Pyoderma can develop, and this, in turn, can lead to post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis. In rare severe cases, even rheumatic heart disease is possible.
Pyoderma in this disease is often accompanied by boils, ecthyma, lymphadenitis or lymphangitis may appear. Some patients tolerate microbial eczema. And fifty percent of patients develop allergic dermatitis.
Scabies: first signs, photo (in children)
Even infants experience the same symptoms as adults. In particular, they are diagnosed with scabies, as well aspapulovesicles. Still developing paronychia, onychia and weeping. In the first months of a child's life, the disease may resemble ordinary urticaria. This makes it difficult to make a quick diagnosis.
The first signs of scabies in children often appear on the soles of the feet and even on the scalp. Localization of blisters is observed in the back, buttocks, and also on the face. Due to scratching, they become covered with a bloody crust. A little later, a small rash prevails, and in some cases, children's scabies resembles the symptoms of acute eczema (see photo below).
Itchy sensations can spread over large areas of the skin, often resulting in disturbed sleep. There are also lymphadenitis, lymphangitis, lymphocytosis and leukocytosis, albuminuria, accelerated ESR, and even sepsis in infants. Every year the number of diseases with erased symptoms increases.
Scabies: the first signs in pregnant women
If the disease is detected in time and properly treated, then there will be no negative effect on the fetus. The only negative is that scabies harms the expectant mother. This leads to a deterioration in her condition, sometimes even to an increase in temperature, a breakdown.
If scabies is not diagnosed in a timely manner and the correct treatment is not carried out, then a more severe form may develop, when pustules form, infection occurs. All this can have an extremely negative impact on the development of the fetus. There is a high risk of infection during the birth itself. Then there's dangerpass scabies to a newborn baby. As already known, the disease in newborns is more severe and often resembles urticaria.
If not diagnosed right away, scabies can lead to serious consequences with infectious diseases, followed by a difficult and long recovery period.
The disease manifests itself in pregnant women with standard symptoms. All the same severe itching, which becomes stronger at night, the presence of subcutaneous tick passages. There are also signs of scabies on the hands, especially between the fingers, on the wrists, on the elbows and genitals.
If the above symptoms occur, be sure to take a skin scraping. The presence of a scabies mite can be confused with the so-called pregnancy scabies, which occurs due to special changes in a woman's body.
Diagnosis
Scabies can only be diagnosed after clinical studies (based on epidemiological and laboratory data). Especially when the symptoms of the disease are erased, the doctor should not rely on his experience or assumptions. There are four methods for diagnosing scabies.
The first is the mechanical extraction of the scabies mite from the blind passage. The insect is then examined under a microscope. However, this method is rarely effective. Often doctors find dilapidated papules that are unsuitable for research.
Another method is to cut off a small area of the epidermis near the scabies. This allows for a qualitative histologicalstudy, finding not only the scabies mite, but also its eggs.
Sometimes layer-by-layer scraping is used in the area of the blind stroke until a drop of blood appears. The seized material is also being investigated.
The last method used by modern medicine is the alkaline preparation method. After the procedure, the macerated skin is examined.
One of the above manipulations is mandatory to exclude scabies in a person who goes to the doctor with similar symptoms. Particular attention should be paid to this if similar signs appeared in one of the family members. This is how scabies is diagnosed. The first signs, treatment are determined and prescribed by an experienced doctor.
The most reliable indicator that this is indeed a contagious disease is the opening of scabies with a scalpel. The damaged horny layer of the skin is cut through, then the obtained materials are microscopically examined. It is desirable that the studied passages were not combed, and it is most effective to take such scrapings in the area of \u200b\u200bthe wrists.
If a doctor uses potassium hydrochloride, this allows better detection of mites and their eggs.
It will be easier to identify scabies if iodine tincture is applied to the affected areas. Then, against the background of he althy skin, the passages of the parasite will immediately stand out. They will be more brown. Abroad, ink is used for such diagnostics.
To detect scabies, a video dermatoscope is also used. It enlarges the image six hundred times, which allows you to accurately examine problem areas on the head with such a disease,like scabies. The first signs and photos of the affected areas are presented below.
Treatment Method
Scabies will not go away on its own. It can only get worse, flowing even for many years (it is worth remembering how many individuals one female can give birth to in her life!). To cure the disease, it is enough to apply certain measures. There is no need for general treatment. The use of medicinal preparations will be only local. All such funds can be divided into four groups:
- synthetic derivatives of balsamic products;
- sulfur, sulfur ointments, Wilkinson's ointment;
- antiparasitic insecticidal soap, pyrethra ointments, flicid liquid, preparations "Tizol", "Kreolin";
- folk remedies, which include kerosene, gasoline, fuel oil, car oil, crude oil, fly ash.
It is worth considering how scabies is treated, the first signs (see the pictures in the article), the sequence of treatment:
Before using any remedy, the patient should wash the body to remove mites that have crawled to the surface. Now you can begin to intensively rub the remedy into yourself, especially in the places of localization of parasites. If the skin already has more serious lesions, then it will be enough just to lubricate it with a solution. You can process the whole body, except for the head.
Benzyl Benzoate Emulsion
This is the most common remedy. twenty percentthe solution is used by adults, and for small children a 10% preparation will be enough. On the first day of treatment, foci of inflammation twice for 10 minutes. with a ten-minute interval, treat with this emulsion with a cotton swab. Change bed linen and clothes. On the second day, the procedure is repeated. After three days, you can wash in the shower and change clothes again.
Demyanovich's method
Any treatment is effective when a person notices the very first sign of scabies and takes the necessary action. Two mixtures are prepared in advance: a sixty percent sodium hyposulphate solution and a six percent hydrochloric acid solution.
The treatment room should be warm. The patient is completely undressed. The doctor pours one hundred milliliters of the first solution into the container. The patient begins to rub it with his hands. First, the shoulders and arms should be processed (first of all, the right side, and secondly, the left). Next, the product is applied to the entire body, and in the end - to both legs. In each place you need to rub the solution for at least two minutes. Then you can rest a bit.
When the mixture dries, the skin will be covered with white crystals, like powder. Now you can repeat the rubbing in the same sequence. The s alt crystals contained in the solution destroy the entrances to the scabies passages, which allows the medicine to work more efficiently.
When the skin is dry, you can move on to the second solution. Gradually pouring it into the palm of your hand, you need to process the entire body in the same sequence. Rubbing should be done for only one minute. After drying procedurerepeat two more times. Clean clothes should be put on, and after three days you can wash.
If there is no positive result, it is recommended to repeat the treatment after five days. In fact, only in rare cases, repeated therapy is required. When the two solutions interact, sulfur dioxide and sulfur are released, which reliably kill ticks and their eggs. Scabies, the first signs of which are a terrible itch and changes in the skin, do not go away as quickly as they appear.
Sulfur ointment
A thirty-three percent remedy is chosen for treatment. It is not applied only to the scalp. For five days, the ointment should be rubbed once a day (at night). Then there is a two-day break. When no treatments are performed, bed linen is not changed.
In some cases, a single application of sulfuric ointment is suggested. The patient rubs the drug into the skin for two hours, after moistening the body with soapy water. Then the covers are powdered with talc. Three days later, the person bathes and changes clothes.
Wood ash
This folk remedy has proven itself in the elimination of a disease such as scabies. The first symptoms on the abdomen and elsewhere are well cured in this way. Wood ash contains a sufficient amount of sulfur compounds. They are able to destroy the tick. An ointment is prepared from this product in a ratio of 30/70. Such a remedy is used like any other sulfuric ointment.
You can also make an infusion. A glass of ash and two glasses of water are stirred and boiled for about twenty minutes. Then the resulting liquidfilter. The finished precipitate is rubbed into the skin, wetting it with pre-prepared lye. Such procedures are done during the week for thirty minutes at night.
Treatment with kerosene
Requires kerosene and any vegetable oil. The components are mixed in equal proportions. Within two to three days, the entire skin is lubricated for the night, stockings, underwear, mittens are also processed. In the morning you can wash your body and change your underwear. For a complete cure, as a rule, two or three procedures are enough. When using this method in the treatment of children, one should be careful, as there is a risk of developing dermatitis.
After the end of the procedure, all linen and clothes of the patient should be thoroughly boiled. Iron other things with a hot iron or air in clean air for about a week. If a group of people fell ill with scabies, then treatment should be started at the same time.
New therapies
In modern medicine, the following medicines are used to combat scabies: Crotamiton, Spregal, Permethrin, Lindane. They are available in the form of a solution, cream or aerosol.
Using "Krotamiton"
This is an external preparation. Before use, you need to test for the sensitivity of the patient to it. It is best to apply a cream or lotion. After a shower, the drug should be carefully rubbed into the skin, starting from the chin, ending with the toes. A day later, the procedure should be repeated. Great attention should be paid to the places of folds when applying. The next day you need to change your underwear and takeshower. If necessary, the treatment can be repeated.
Medication "Spregal"
Before using this drug, you should also conduct a microflora sensitivity test. It is recommended to apply the product in the evenings so that its main effect is at night. Spray the drug should be at a distance of 20-30 centimeters from the surface of the integument. Preventive treatment should be carried out by all family members. The medication is not applied only to the head and face.
If within ten days the symptoms of the disease do not go away, then it is necessary to repeat the course of therapy. Scabies, the first signs, photos - everything was given attention in the article.
If, in addition to the scabies mite, the patient has eczema, then before treatment with Spregal (per day), glucocorticoid ointment should be rubbed into the affected areas. If we are dealing with children, then when treating the skin with a spray, it is necessary to cover their mouth and nose with a napkin, and when changing diapers or diapers, re-treat the buttocks area.
It is important to recognize the signs of scabies in children in time. A photo of her manifestations on her face is presented below. If large areas of the skin are severely affected, then they can also be treated with Spregal. But you need to do this not from a spray bottle, but with a cotton swab. If suddenly the product gets into the eyes, they should be thoroughly rinsed with water.
In case of timely start of treatment and in the normal state of the immune system, scabies quickly passes, the patient is completelyis being restored. Only in rare, advanced cases, the disease can lead to rheumatic heart disease, as well as to post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis.
How to prevent infection?
Everyone should have information about what scabies is. The first signs and photos of the disease, which are described and posted in our article, should help the victim make the right decision and objectively assess the situation in order to start effective treatment.
While many people think that getting scabies depends on proper hygiene, this is not the case. The scabies mite is not afraid of either water or soap. Therefore, trying to destroy parasites on your own with a regular shower is useless. It is necessary to turn to specialists, and only experienced doctors can correctly determine the disease and prescribe treatment.
