SCABIES

Dr. Pallab Kanti Nath (MD)Senior Resident, Anaesthesiology

Medical College, Kolkata

What is scabies?

The scabies mite

How is scabies transmitted? Skin contact with infected person.

Infected persons can pass the mite on to others

Scabies is usually not transmitted via clothing or bedding its very uncommon (the usual wash cycle can be used when these items are laundered)

Scabies Signs and Scabies Signs and SymptomsSymptoms

Pruritus of skin

Intense scratching especially at night

Papular rash

SIGNS and SYMPTOMS Classical sites of

scabies rash...

between fingers wrists auxiliary areas female breasts (particularly the

skin of the nipples) the umbilical area penis and scrotum buttocks inside of legs ankles

Scabies Burrows Scabies Burrows (arrows point to mites)(arrows point to mites)

DIAGNOSIS

Definite diagnosis - a definite diagnosis is made by taking skin scrapings from burrows and identifying the mites, their eggs or faeces by microscopy

Presumptive diagnosis - it is often difficult to find burrows and obtain suitable specimens, therefore presumptive diagnosis relies on history and clinical appearance

TREATMENT

scabicides Permethrin cream 5%

Complete change of linen and clothing after 1st treatment and then 8 hours later

shower and rinse off, change into 2nd issued linen and clothing

TREATMENTapplication of lotion or cream

Other drugs:

Ivermectin (Mectizan, Stromectol) -- Binds selectively with glutamate-gated chloride ion channels in invertebrate nerve and muscle cells, causing cell death.

OUTBREAKSprevention Promote good surveillance of new residents Observe for rashes on arrival at the home, then at

3 weeks and at 6 weeks Maintain a high level of suspicion if patients present with

undiagnosed skin rashes Whole family should be treated at the same time

Thank you