Most skin diseases can be recognized by a dermatologist from a photo. Signs of scabies in humans cannot be confused with symptoms of another disease. This is a parasitic skin disease caused by the scabies mite.
Is this disease dangerous
If possible, you should carefully look at the photo of signs of scabies in humans. Everyone should know how this infectious disease manifests itself. The disease is caused by a microscopic parasite that moves along the scabies in the skin, causing patients a lot of discomfort. The first signs of scabies in humans (the symptoms look less realistic in the photo) are a specific rash and unbearable itching.
This disease is directly related to sanitary and hygienic living conditions and population density: the more people live in one room, the easier it is to get infected. In the absence of proper treatment, the parasite is able to exist under the skin for more than one year.
Let's try to get a detailed picture of the symptoms of scabies. The first signs of this disease onpictures could be confused with eczema and dermatitis, if not for the so-called scabies. This is a specific difference between the disease, the causative agent of which is a small tick. The second name of this parasite is itch.
Scabies belongs to the group of acarodermatitis. In the International Classification of Diseases, code B86 refers to this pathology. The official name of the disease is acariasis. A characteristic feature of the pathology is a painful and constantly itchy papular-vesicular rash. It has a red tint in most photos of a person with signs of scabies. Treatment of the disease may be delayed due to the addition of a bacterial infection and the appearance of secondary pustular formations.
Scabies mite
In order for the pathogen to penetrate the skin, 20 minutes is enough. Due to such a short time period, it is almost impossible to prevent the introduction of the parasite. Scabies itch passes to a new host by contact.
Special attention deserves the cycle of reproduction of parasites and the nuances of their life. The male scabies mite always dies on the surface of the epidermis after fertilization of the female. The inseminated female penetrates into the epidermis, creating passages for eggs on the border between the stratum corneum and basal layers of the skin. To continue the genus, females lay 5-7 eggs. At night, parasites come to the surface to copulate, so itching intensifies at this time of day. After the larvae are deposited, the female dies after 20-30 days.
To date, disputesregarding the route of transmission of the causative agent of scabies do not stop. Many experts are sure that you can become infected with acariasis when using a common towel, as well as when shaking hands. The itch is rather weak and not adapted to environmental conditions, in comparison with the same cockroaches. This can be understood by simply looking at the photo of the scabies. Signs of scabies in adults are barely noticeable at first. The tick itself is so tiny that some people don't care about the rash at first.
In the fight against scabies, it is important to destroy the pathogen that settles not only under the patient's skin, but is also present on his clothes, bedding. The average life cycle of the parasite is no more than five days, and when exposed to a temperature of +60 ° C, the itch dies in less than an hour. The scabies mite is also not adapted to conditions of minimal humidity.
Today, more and more medical authors are sure that scabies should be considered one of the sexually transmitted diseases. At the same time, for infection with acariasis, as well as pubic pediculosis, it is not the fact of intercourse itself that is important, but prolonged tactile contact, contact with the skin in the bed.
What happens at the initial stage of the disease
You can understand that the parasite has invaded the flesh by the appearance of typical rashes on the body. Signs of scabies in humans become noticeable when the parasites gnaw through the skin. Once on human skin, the female scabies mite begins to drill passages in the upper layer of the epidermis. Then she lays her eggs in a pre-preparedplace. The larvae quickly turn into adults.
In the evenings and at night, mites move under the skin, so itching intensifies. If itch moves are recognized in time, the number of which is single at the initial stage, the disease can be quickly cured.
Disease types
Classify scabies according to the severity of manifestations and the prevalence of rashes throughout the body. There are several main types of scabies in humans. In the photo, the signs of the disease are difficult to recognize, but it can still be concluded that the most common form of acariasis is typical. Most often it affects children. The characteristic features of its manifestations can be found in most photos of adults with symptoms of scabies. Every dermatologist knows how this type of disease manifests itself. Patients complain of soreness in the lesions and itching, especially worse at night.
Norwegian form of acariasis is severe. This type of scabies is usually diagnosed in adults. In childhood, the disease occurs with congenital or acquired immunodeficiency. First of all, carriers of HIV, patients with oncological diseases, are susceptible to Norwegian scabies. This form is characterized by the formation of large tick passages and a significant area of damage. Patients experience severe discomfort, severe inflammation and pustular crusting over the rash.
Scabies, which occurs without the formation of specific subcutaneous passages, is distinguished by parasitism of larvae notunder the top layer of the epidermis, but directly on it. With this pathology, papules and vesicles are formed. The duration of the disease is 2-3 weeks.
Nodular scabies is considered a complicated form. It is characterized by the appearance of flaky, smooth seals of tiny size. The rash looks like small reddish nodules. Such scabies recurs or develops against the background of re-infection.
In comparison with nodular acariasis, it is impossible not to notice the grain form of scabies. In this case, the epidermis is affected by a pot-bellied mite, which usually parasitizes on insects and can stay in straw and grain for a long time. The rash in patients usually appears on the neck, back, forearms. After treatment, the rashes do not immediately go away: they can last for several more months.
The course of the discrete form of acariasis is the least painful. The areas of the skin into which the mites penetrate do not itch, and there is no inflammation typical of scabies. In this case, the parasites are localized under the skin pointwise.
In addition to the usual forms of scabies, an atypical pseudo-scabies is distinguished. It is caused by scabies mites that live on the epithelium of animals. Such parasites do not make moves, but provoke inflammation and itching. Unlike other forms, pseudoscabies is not transmitted from person to person. Such a disease does not require specific treatment, since these parasites are not able to survive on the human body.
Incubation period
In order to gain a foothold in a new place, parasites needsome time during which the patient will not notice any signs of scabies. In humans, the latent period of acariasis lasts about 5-8 weeks. The duration of the incubation period depends on the state of the immune system, the number of pathogens and the degree of their activity.
As a rule, after 1, 5-2 months after infection, the same signs of scabies in humans appear, as in most photos. Treatment begins immediately after confirmation of the diagnosis by laboratory analysis. If the infection occurs repeatedly, the symptoms of acariasis may occur earlier.
Three main symptoms
Based on the name of this disease, it is easy to make an assumption about the main symptom of scabies in humans. Treatment of acariasis primarily involves not only the fight against ticks, but also with itching. This is the main symptom and becomes more pronounced later in the day.
The second typical sign of scabies in humans is the appearance of painful rashes on the body. Pimples typical for acariasis will appear in any case, sooner or later, despite the fact that some patients may have a blurred clinical picture. Moreover, for examination and diagnosis, it is not so much the locality of the tick that is more important than its belonging to a particular species.
Unlike a number of other dermatological problems, with scabies, scabies are formed, the length of which on average reaches several cm. The scabies parasite leaves stripes, peculiar gray tracks,yellowish or white. As soon as the female lays her eggs in a new "mink", papules and vesicles form at the exit.
Where the rashes are localized
Most often, signs of scabies in humans are found in the interdigital spaces of the hands and on the back of the hands. If untreated, the rash quickly spreads to the trunk. Scabies mite can live on the feet and ankles, inner thighs, flexor surfaces of the forearms and shoulders, wrist joints. Parasites cause the most concern, being localized on the chest, in the umbilical region and in the armpits. In advanced cases, external manifestations of acariasis occur in the genital area and buttocks.
After a few weeks, the nature of the rash changes. As a result of the body's reaction to the waste products of parasites, pimples become papular or vesicular, sometimes pustular rashes and bloody crusts appear. The rash is localized symmetrically on both sides.
How it manifests itself in children
If at least one family member has scabies, the rest of the household cannot avoid a visit to the dermatologist. At the initial stage, the signs of scabies in children in the photo look a little different. For example, in infants, rashes are more reminiscent of urticaria, since they consist of numerous bubbles, the same that occur with a nettle burn.
A child with acariasis most often affects the entire surface of the skin, including the face and scalp. In many photos, signs of scabies in children have purulent complications.
Diagnostic features
Suspicion of scabies usually occurs when severe thinning and characteristic rashes appear, noticeable scabies. It is possible to recognize this disease by typical symptoms, but for an accurate diagnosis, the patient will need to undergo a laboratory examination.
To confirm acariasis, the patient is prescribed the following types of manipulations:
- scraping off the affected areas and applying 40% lactic acid to them;
- coloring of the skin with tincture of iodine: if the tick passages acquire a dark brown tint, there is no doubt about the diagnosis;
- detection of parasites using instrumental diagnostic methods (video dermatoscope);
- removal of a tick from the skin and its detailed study under a microscope.
When contacting a dermatologist online, a photo with signs of scabies may be required.
How to treat adults
Acariasis itself is not dangerous, but if no measures are taken to get rid of this disease, the situation may become more complicated. First of all, a person with signs of scabies must undergo treatment in order to prevent the addition of a bacterial infection and not spread the disease in society.
Since scabies is contagious and quickly passes from a sick person to a he althy person, the patient is treated either at home or in the walls of an inpatient medical institution. Therapy consists in the use of special external agents with a certainperiodicity. Usually, medications are applied at night, as parasites are most active in the evening and at night.
Most of the medicines for scabies have contraindications and side effects, so you should not self-medicate, especially for children or pregnant women. Before applying the drug to the skin, you should carefully study the instructions. Treatment will only be effective if:
- not only the sick person will use the medicine, but also the persons in contact with him;
- daily change and boil underwear, bed linen;
- treat all affected areas of the body, except for the face and head;
- wash several times a day with soap before and 4 hours after treatment;
- apply medication every 12 hours.
Drug list
A decrease in the severity of signs of scabies in humans will testify to positive dynamics. Today, for the treatment of acariasis, local preparations are used such as:
- "Benzyl benzoate". It's inexpensive but powerful. The optimal duration of the course of its use is determined by the attending physician, depending on the degree of damage to the skin. On average, three days of use is enough to affect parasites. The drug also differs in the concentration of the active substance: a 10% concentration is suitable for children, and 20% for adults. Usually the drug is easily tolerated, but a burning sensation on the skin is not excluded.
- "Lindane". It has several forms of release - cream, ointment, lotion. The agent is smeared with scabies, after which it is left for a therapeutic effect for 12 hours or a whole day. 2-3 applications are enough to get rid of parasites.
- "Spregal". The cost of this aerosol can reach up to 1000 rubles. It is convenient to use the product, it does not have any pungent odor, it is available in a can. "Spregal" is used to treat acariasis in pregnant women and in children under 14 years of age. Signs of scabies disappear after two treatments with a three-day interval. The medication is applied to the skin in the evening after a shower and left on the body for 12 hours.
- "Crotamiton". This drug has a similar effect, is used in the treatment of pregnant women and newborn babies.
- "Permethrin". A drug from the budget spectrum, has a lot of trade names (Medifox, Nix Cream, Chigia). The product is rubbed once into the affected areas and washed off after 10-14 hours.
- "Esdepalletrin". Synthetic aerosol has a low degree of toxicity and ease of use, but is still prohibited for use in bronchial asthma and breastfeeding.
- "Sulfur ointment". This is the most affordable option for medical treatment of scabies, but they resort to it in the most rare cases. Among the disadvantages of the drug, it is worth noting a too dense greasy consistency, a sharp unpleasant odor and soiling of linen.
Folk therapy for scabies
Among the alternative treatments for acariasis, somerecipes are considered the most effective:
- Ointment with celandine. For cooking, take fresh leaves, grind and mix with petroleum jelly in a ratio of 1: 4 and add one more part of carbolic acid, due to which the composition becomes toxic. The resulting ointment should be lubricated with rashes every day.
- External agent from bay leaves. Dry bay leaves are ground in a coffee grinder, then soft butter is added to them, mixed thoroughly and applied to places affected by scabies.
- Birch tar. This is the safest treatment for scabies. When the first signs of illness appear, clean birch tar must be applied to the skin. It can also be part of the ointment along with components such as sulfur powder, grated laundry soap, pork lard. All components are taken in equal amounts, mixed until a homogeneous mass is obtained, which is sent to a cold place for a day. The finished ointment is smeared with scabies.
Judging by the reviews, folk remedies really help many to relieve itching, eliminate other unpleasant symptoms of acariasis, but few people managed to get rid of parasites with their help. In the fight against scabies, only strong medicines are effective.
What could be the complications
Scabies does not entail any special problems if antiparasitic therapy is started on time. Complications can develop against the background of typical and atypical forms of acariasis. Without treatment, the wounds will begin to emit a fetid odor, and the site of the tick lesion itselfwill start to get wet and hurt a lot. In complicated cases, scabies can cause dermatitis, eczema, pyoderma.
In itself, acariasis does not threaten the life and he alth of the patient. Complications of the disease arise from scratching itchy wounds and introducing an infection into them, which, without treatment, can even lead to sepsis.
What to do to avoid getting scabies
Prevention of acariasis as an infectious disease is based on the principles of observing elementary hygiene rules in everyday life. The cause of human infection is sanitary illiteracy and the lack of necessary skills to maintain cleanliness in the home. A huge role in the prevention of mass morbidity belongs to maintaining a he althy lifestyle, economic well-being and raising the cultural level of the population for the most part.
Each individual case of scabies infection requires immediate therapy, disinfestation of the patient's clothing, underwear and bed linen. At the same time, one should not forget to periodically examine the skin of other people who are surrounded by the patient.
