what is scabies ?

Answer 1

Scabies is a parasitical skin infection spread by mites. Basically, eggs have been laid in your skin.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scabies

Answer 2

Scabies is a skin infection caused by a mite (Sarcoptes scabei). It is a common mite Infestation that affects people across all racial and social classes in the world. It quickly spreads in crowded areas where there is a lot of skin-to-skin contact such as hospitals, nursing homes, child-care facilities, etc. Signs and symtoms include pimple-like irritations of the skin, rash of the skin--particularly in the webbed spaces between fingers or skin folds on elbows, wrists, knee, and breasts. Scabies infestation causes severe itching. and scratching these areas can cause sores that can become bacterial infection sites. It can be contracted in close quarters with other people by ongoing direct skin-to-skin contact with a person that already has scabies. This contact, however, with another person with scabies must be extended contact--you usually do not get the disease by just a handshake or hug with folks that have this condition. Scabies is easily spread through sexual contact and with other people living in your home and also can spread by sharing personal effects such as clothes, towels, etc.

If you are immune compromised by another condition already or if you are an elderly individual, you are at increased risk of getting a more severe form of the infestataion. If you have never had scabies before, you may not have symptoms for 4-8 weeks after exposure. If you have scabies, symptoms appear within several days. You do not develop an immunity to this condition. If you think you have been exposed to the mite infestation scabies, see your doctor. He/she can better diagnose the condition and make sure this is what it is. There are lotions that can be prescribed to treat this condition. It is important if you think you have this to see a doctor and get definitive diagnosis and treatment. You do not want to spread this disease to others and there are specific things you can do to rid your living quarters of the mites causing scabies.

Answer 3

Scabies is a contagious (catching) disorder of the skin caused by very small, wingless insects or mites called the Human Itch mite or Scabies itch mite Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis (Hering). The female insect burrows into the skin where she lays 1 - 3 eggs daily. A very small, hard to see, zigzag blister usually marks the trail of the insect as she lays her eggs. Other more obvious symptoms are an intense itching (especially at night) and a red rash that can occur at the area that has been scratched. The most common locations for scabies are on the sides of fingers, between the fingers, on the backs of the hands, on the wrists, heels, elbows, armpits, inner thighs and around the waist (belt line). If untreated, the female will continue to lay eggs for about five weeks. The eggs hatch and the new mites begin the cycle all over again. The mites themselves are too small to be seen without magnification. One of the great problems with scabies always has been misdiagnosis. Scabies is spread by personal contact, e.g., by shaking hands or sleeping together or by close contact with infected articles such as clothing, bedding or towels. It is usually found where people are crowded together or have frequent contact, and is most common among school children, families, roommates, and sexual partners. Scabies can be spread by the insect itself or by the egg. Prompt action is required to rid a person of the insects and eggs. Sulfur has been used (6 - 10% in lotion or cream) since Roman times as a scabicide, but you might be allergic.

Answer 4

Know All About Scabies


Very strong itching particularly at night is a sign that scabies might be present. You may not see any rashes in the beginning of scabies. Rashes normally appear as a result of heavy itching and consequent scratching. Scabies is neither a disease of the poor nor only of children. Scabies is also not a sign of unhygienic body. It is a contagious skin disease. Anybody can get scabies due to contact with another scabies patient. Scabies is treatable. Let us find out more about it.


Causes Of Scabies


A tiny mite that is barely visible to human eyes is the cause of scabies. It is the female mite that causes scabies. It gets transferred by touch. Sometimes, even holding hands can transfer the scabies mite. On the skin, the scabies mite burrows inside the epidermis (the upper layer of the skin) and lays eggs there. The eggs hatch and produce more of the mites. The mites produce toxins on the skin that cause allergic reactions and heavy itching.

After you get scabies, the itching may appear after about a month. Along with itching, small pimple-like or raised spots like hives can develop on the affected skin. The rash of scabies develops mainly because of scratching which is very difficult to resist. These rashes can cause secondary bacterial infections.

The mite generally invades the warm areas of the body such as elbows, wrists, buttocks, between the fingers, under the nails, etc. In children, it can also develop on scalp and soles, involving the whole body.

In another form of scabies, called as crusted scabies, thick crusts form on the skin giving space to thousands of mites to thrive. This condition is normally seen in elderly people, or those whose immune system has been compromised, such as AIDS patients, etc.

In this case, the doctor may scrape a small piece of crust and observe it under microscope to confirm the diagnosis.

more-
http://www.doctorgoodskin.com/ds/scabies/

Answer 5

Scabies is a skin condition where you have little bugs under your skin and they are travelling throughout your body, clothes, hair, etc. You need a cream from a doctor that will get rid of them. You rub it on you every night before bed and as soon as you wake up in the morning you need to have a shower, change all of your clothes as well as all of your bedding and wash them. Making sure that you put them in the dryer to ensure that all of the bugs have been killed.

Answer 6

this is a skin infection caused by a parasite , they bury themselves under the skin , and has to be treated with a
medicated lotion prescribed by Dr. if not treated , scratching can lead to a secondary infection that requires anti-biotics, this is a condition that is highly contagious. If one person in your family has it , the entire family has to be treated as well.


They may seem to disappear , but they do not , the infected area usually appears more red after a warm bath or of course from itching. Please seek Medical Help, also , if this child or any others are in school , you should take the responsibility of informing the school , don't be embarrassed to do this , it's our responsibility to let these people know , to prevent a widespread epidemic.

Answer 7

Has she been treated? Hopefully, she has been. I know from experience that even after treatment, you can continue to itch for a few weeks. Untreated scabies is pretty easily spread.

Answer 8

I thought you would like this web sit it could answer any and all questions you have about this problem

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/scabies/factsht_scabies.htm



http://www.ashastd.org/learn/learn_scabies.cfm


http://www.dpd.cdc.gov/dpdx/HTML/ImageLibrary/Scabies_il.asp?body=S-Z/Scabies/body_Scabies_il1.htm

Answer 9

It is an itchy, contagious skin disease caused by a mite.

Answer 10

parasites that are highly contagious & eat your skin!