Many living organisms that exist in symbiosis with humans are capable of causing significant harm to them. Moreover, health problems arising from this are sometimes quite difficult to resolve. A person gets into a similar situation, whose body is affected by a scabies mite. This parasite has a negative effect on the skin condition, causing a feeling of extreme discomfort and permanent health problems.
The first symptoms of scabies begin to appear after the first or second week after the initial infection. It is important not to confuse this ailment with other similar diseases. This will allow you to start treatment on time and avoid possible complications. Therefore, it is necessary to know the symptoms of scabies, and what are the ways of infection of a person with this ailment.
Disease history
The first symptoms and first signs of scabies were given in the writings of Aristotle more than 2.5 thousand years ago. A description of this disease can also be found in the Old Testament. The ancient Greeks believed that scabies is a type of skin disease, which they combined under a single term - "psora". The ancient Romans called this disease "scabies." So scabies is called today. However, in those days people did not know the true cause of this ailment. But even in medieval treatises one can find an assumption of its parasitic nature.
Reliable facts that the symptoms of scabies and its further development are caused by a special kind of ticks appeared only after the first optical microscope was created. Scrupulous studies of this problem were first conducted by pharmacist Diaccinto Cestoni and doctor Giovan Cosimo Bonomo. In 1687, they described a direct connection that occurs between scabies mites present in the human body, as well as skin symptoms that occur after infection.
A fairly complete description of the pathogenesis and etiology of the disease was given in 1844 by the German dermatologist Ferdinand Gebra. His work was a kind of manual for doctors, which in 1876 was translated by A. G. Popotebnev into Russian.
What is a scabies mite?
Many believe that the symptoms of scabies (photo can be seen below) are caused by a certain type of insect.
However, this opinion is erroneous. The itch mite is an obligate (that is, unable to exist outside the body of its host) tiny parasite. It belongs to the family of sarcoptids, to the class of arachnids. What are the external signs of this aggressor, it becomes clear only when it is examined, which is carried out under a microscope. After all, the sizes of females of such individuals are in the range of 0.45 mm, and males - 0.2 mm. The body of the scabies mite is oval, tortoise-shaped. Its forelimbs are tick-shaped. Once on the skin of a person, the parasite begins to tear off particles of the epidermis, while using its gnawing-sucking mouth apparatus. Thus, the scabies mite pierces the skin and begins to drink blood, moving in a certain, but only one direction. The reason for this movement lies in the covering of his back. On it are scaly plates, the edges of which have a pointed shape. Parasites choose zones under the skin integument as their habitat. Here they make moves and lay eggs. The scabies mite lives for a relatively short time. The cycle of its existence is only 30 days. Males after fertilization of females die. Females continue to live, laying 2-3 eggs every day in the subcutaneous passages, which after a few days turn into larvae. This form persists for a week and a half. After that, the larvae become an adult.
Females, which are the carriers of infection, do not last long in one place. They are in constant motion. Moving in the thickness of the epidermis, scabies mites give patients significant discomfort. This is especially pronounced at night, when the parasites are most active.
Thus, the main place where the parasite lives is the skin layers. Ticks appear on their surface only in order to mate and continue their migration through the body. That is why the entire life cycle of the parasite is divided into two stages. The first one is cutaneous. The second is subcutaneous. The first symptoms of scabies may not have visible external causes. But it is they who cause suspicion of the presence of the disease. And the most basic of these symptoms is severe itching. It bothers a person at the moment when the female lays eggs and gnaws long channels to continue eating. This happens without fail during the evening and night hours. In the afternoon, when the parasites rest, an illusion of the retreat of the disease is created, as the itching subsides.
Infection pathways
Very often, people believe that only asocial elements can get scabies. However, this contagious disease is diagnosed not only for those whose apartment or house is a dirty and cluttered room. Often from getting on the skin of scabies mites (itching), adults and children from quite prosperous families suffer.
Infection with such parasites almost always occurs if prolonged skin-skin contact occurs. Transmission is also possible through sexual contact.
Symptoms of scabies in children occur after infection from sick parents with whom they sleep in the same bed. In large and crowded groups other types of skin contacts are possible. This includes strong handshakes, fussing children, etc.
In some manuals, you can still see outdated information that scabies is transmitted through various household items (bedding, household items, etc.). Today, experts believe that such a path of infection is unlikely. The exception is only one type of disease - Norwegian. In this case, the number of ticks on the patient’s body reaches several million. If you consider a typical case, then you can find only 10-20 parasites.
Ticks can also be transmitted to humans through dogs, cats, livestock, ungulates, etc. All these animals can be infected with various variants of the microscopic parasite, which is able to choose as its owner and person. In this case, the symptoms of scabies are similar to those that are caused by that version of itching, which prefers to settle on the skin of people.
However, parasites transmitted from animals are not able, once in contact with humans, to complete their life cycle. That is why such scabies belongs to the category of short-lived and its treatment does not require the use of scabicides.
When should I contact a dermatologist?
How are the first signs (symptoms) of scabies? About the presence of the disease says:
- Itching that bothers a person in the evening and night hours.
- A rash that appears in places typical of this ailment. At the same time, her appearance is absolutely unimportant. After all, the external manifestation of the rash can depend on many factors.
- Scratching each family member in the evening. These are most likely the first symptoms of scabies. In the morning, you need to go to the doctor all over the place to begin treatment as soon as possible.
Even if you have one of the first symptoms of scabies listed above (you can additionally see the photo of the rash in the article), you need to start acting to eliminate the discomfort. In addition, small whitish stripes that appear on the skin will be another confirmation of the diagnosis of an infectious disease. These are scabies, the length of which does not exceed 1 cm. Such channels are most often found on the buttocks and abdomen, on the palms and in the armpit, in the folds of the elbow and on the feet.
Types of disease
Symptoms of scabies (photo can be seen in the article) are not always obvious and indisputable.
Such a disease sometimes takes various forms, of which it is important to have at least a rough idea. Such knowledge will help to recognize the presence of a parasite before visiting a doctor. But, as a rule, among the first signs (symptoms) of scabies in adults and in children, itching can be distinguished. When it appears, even having no idea what a skin rash should look like, it is necessary to postpone household chores and consult a dermatologist as soon as possible.
The intensity with which the disease occurs does not necessarily depend on the number of individuals that have penetrated the human skin. An important factor is the patient’s reaction to the parasite itself, its eggs and saliva, as well as waste products. Such factors lead to the appearance of various types of ailment, which are worth considering in more detail.
Typical scabies
This form of the disease occurs when a person becomes infected with sexually mature individuals. Such parasites immediately begin active activity, settling on the skin and starting to multiply in it. What are the symptoms of scabies in this case? A photo of this form of the disease can be found below.
Of the symptoms of typical scabies, there are:
- The rapid appearance of combs. These places are covered with crusts formed from dried blood.
- Rashes. Most often, they appear in the form of vesicles in those places where the parasite is most active (on the legs and arms). There are no foci of inflammation in this case. The bubbles on the skin are very small. Their diameter is 1-3 mm. This is one of the first signs (symptoms) of scabies in adults and children.
- The appearance of nodules near the rashes. This is a clear confirmation that larvae have already infiltrated into the area of the hair follicles.
- Pustules and vesicles. They are located on the skin in the form of clusters.
The first signs (symptoms) of scabies, a photo of which is presented in the article, of a typical type are expressed in itchy skin, the presence of tick moves, as well as in paired rashes. The manifestation of the disease increases after taking a hot bath, as well as in the evening. It was at this time that the female parasite actively nibbles new channels for laying eggs.
Symptoms of scabies in adults and children include restless sleep. Indeed, at night the body is warm, which provokes the female to activity.
In the form of rashes, the first symptoms of scabies in adults (see photo below) can be observed between the fingers and on the chest, on the wrists and near the navel.
This is because parasites prefer to infect areas where the skin is thinner. The tick in this case does not seek to make moves on the face and between the shoulder blades.
Often people with scabies suffer from an allergic reaction. It manifests itself in the form of urticaria and is caused by the waste products of the parasite.
Having found the signs (symptoms) of scabies, treatment should be started immediately. Otherwise, the disease is able to take more complex forms, in the form of accession of other skin diseases.
Scabies without moves
This form of the disease manifests its symptoms for a short time. Then it goes into a typical look.
A similar ailment occurs in a person if he is infected with tick larvae. What are the first signs, symptoms of scabies in adults (a photo of the manifestations of the disease can be seen in the article)? They are expressed rather weakly. Bubbles appear on the body, but they are small and small in number. This condition lasts until the moment when adults appear on the skin. After the larvae turn into mature mites, and they will need two weeks to do this, the disease immediately changes its manifestations.
Signs (symptoms) of scabies of this type are expressed, in addition to rashes, and in skin itching, which bothers a person at night. Instead of moves, vesicles and papules are found on his body.
If contact occurs with infected people, then this form of scabies manifests itself more often than all others. That is why, if cases of the disease are detected in the team or in the family, then you should not wait for the symptoms to intensify. Treatment of each person should be started immediately.
Incognito scabies
This form of the disease is very difficult to diagnose. If you look at the photo of the first symptoms of scabies, treatment can be started late, because this type of disease has no special signs.
This ailment is also called "scabies clean." Indeed, people who are susceptible to tick infection are too often washable. Why is this happening? The fact is that the soap they use breaks the skin's natural barrier. This makes her vulnerable to parasites. In addition to frequently washing people, the tendency to this type of scabies is also the person who, after taking the course of taking antibiotics, has significantly reduced immunity. Those who are exposed to frequent stress suffer from the disease “incognito”.
The first symptoms of scabies in adults, often using soap, are subtle. After all, individuals that have fallen on the skin are washed off with water and removed with a washcloth. Nevertheless, the patient is worried about severe itching. He also feels a burning sensation of the skin, which is very irritated and have the same appearance as with pyoderma or urticaria. In this case, only a dermatologist can diagnose an infectious disease, due to its weak symptoms.
Norwegian scabies
This type of parasitic disease is its most severe form, which only can be in humans. Such scabies is also called "crusty" or "cortical." Most often, such an ailment develops in those people who for some reason have poor sensitivity or its complete absence. Such violations lead to the fact that a person does not feel itching and does not consult a specialist in time, which allows the disease to develop very intensively. In addition, Norwegian scabies is considered the most contagious.
What are the reasons for a person’s lack of sensitivity? They are very different. Among them:
- the use of hormonal drugs;
- paresis of limbs;
- AIDS;
- diabetes;
- tuberculosis;
- scleroderma;
- leukemia.
This type of scabies is manifested by the following symptoms:
- severe itching;
- dermatitis spreading throughout the body;
- dry rash, characterized by the presence of whitish scales.
This type of disease is quite difficult. In this case, a large number of parasites at various stages of the life cycle can be found on the patient’s body, in the crusts formed on the skin, as well as in the channels. The diagnosis in such cases is carried out very late when the disease reaches its highest stage. After all, patients who are a tick carrier do not even assume that they have an infection. They have no itching, and, therefore, at first there are no symptoms of scabies, and treatment is not performed. This leads to the formation of many massive crusts on the body, in the thickness of which parasites are literally swarming. Such a lesion is especially pronounced on the feet and hands. The growths that appeared on them are very painful, which limits the movement of the limbs. Nails, as well as scalp and hair are damaged during Norwegian scabies. It is worth noting that such symptoms are absent in a typical form of the disease.
Nodular scabies
A similar form of the disease is a reaction of the body to tick products, which is accompanied by rashes in the form of nodules of bluish color, covered with a reddish-brown crust. The appearance of these neoplasms occurs according to a certain pattern. First, the lymphoid tissue thickens, and then nodules arise from its structure, the size of which can reach 1 cm. Similar rashes appear in those places where the parasite moves. Nodules cause concern in the patient, as it itches quite strongly. Itching takes a long time. It is observed even after successful therapy. Moreover, places on the body that are especially prone to such a reaction, which are the stomach, buttocks and genitals in men, continue to itch for another 1 to 6 months.
A similar type of scabies is diagnosed with the symptom of Cesari. With its use, the tick is determined by palpation of nodules that rise above the skin.
Pseudocharger
A similar type of disease occurs when a person is infected with ticks parasitizing on birds or animals. Carriers of the disease in this case can be sheep and horses, goats and dogs, pigeons and rats, cats, chickens, as well as other representatives of the animal world.
The incubation period of pseudo-sarcoptosis (also called pseudo-scab) is only one hour. Indeed, in this case, ticks do not try to penetrate deep into the skin. They bite a person, which causes severe itching. After that, rashes appear on his skin. They look like bloody spots and blisters and are slightly larger in size than with normal scabies. , .
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It is worth noting that the symptoms of the disease that cause ticks in babies manifest themselves very strongly. When infected with a scabies parasite, children are literally affected by the entire skin, and not only those areas that are characteristic of an adult form of the disease.
Outwardly, the disease manifests itself in the form of a rash, similar to hives. Its first symptoms become noticeable as early as 3-8 days after infection. The initial sign of baby scabies is itching that spreads throughout the body. After, first on the arms and stomach, rashes appear, having the appearance of papular formations.
Infection with scabies tick is very difficult for children. They begin to comb the rash. As a result, purulent crusts appear in its place, which indicate an infection.
Toddlers suffering from scabies are restless and moody. But parents should do everything to exclude the child from combing the skin. For example, you can put on cotton gloves for the baby, as well as short-cut his nails.
This disease can occur in infants. In this case, the rash spreads not only in the arms and abdomen, but also passes to the face and head.
Elderly people are also very vulnerable to scabies. They may not have tick moves and a rash, but an itchy crust will appear on the body.
Complicated scabies
It occurs only when the symptoms of scabies were identified very late, and the treatment of the disease was not started in a timely manner. In this case, the ailment manages to go into a complicated form. At the same time, it becomes even more difficult to recognize the disease. After all, its signs are accompanied by symptoms of complications. This is dermatitis or pyoderma, and sometimes eczema or urticaria.
A complication of scabies occurs as a result of the attachment of microbial flora to damaged skin. Most often, this is observed in a typical form of the disease, accompanied by severe itching. Often, complications are observed in children who comb rashes. Pathogenic microflora also gets into the resulting wounds.
With this form of the disease, treatment of boils - pust formations is carried out in parallel. In the absence of therapy, there is a danger of even more extensive infection.
Diagnostics
A doctor can determine the presence of a disease on the basis of the symptoms of the disease, epidemiological data, and also the results of laboratory tests. The last point is especially relevant in cases where the overall clinical picture of the pathology is somewhat blurred. Laboratory confirmation of the diagnosis of scabies is performed using the following methods:
- Removing the tick from the course using a needle, followed by examination of the pathogen under a microscope. However, the application of this method becomes ineffective in the case when old destroyed papules are examined.
- Carrying out thin sections of those sections of the epidermis layer that are in the area of the itch course. A similar method allows you to determine the presence of not only the tick itself, but also its eggs.
- The implementation of layer-by-layer scraping, which is made from the area of the itch passage (its blind end). Manipulations are performed until the moment when blood appears. The resulting material is subjected to microscopy.
- Alkaline preparation of the skin with the application of an alkaline solution on them. This method also involves subsequent aspiration of macerated skin and microscopy.
A doctor who complains of itchy skin should always rule out scabies. This is especially true in cases where all members of a family or an organized team experience an uncomfortable state.
A reliable confirmation of the diagnosis is the detection of scabies. However, in any case, this channel must be opened with a scalpel coated with an oily substance. In this case, the blade must be directed along the scabies canal. The scraping thus obtained is placed under glass and examined under a microscope.
The most reliable results are obtained when scraping moves that have not yet been combed, located between the fingers. But the easiest thing is scabies channels are found when staining the skin with iodine. In this case, the moves will appear in the form of brown stripes against the background of a light brown color, in which healthy skin will be painted. Doctors abroad use ink for this purpose.
In almost all cases, scabies are detected with a 600-fold increase in the affected areas using a video dermatoscope.
Scabies treatment
It is worth remembering that the disease alone cannot pass. It will disturb a person for a long period, periodically exacerbating. That is why when symptoms of scabies are detected, treatment in adults and children should be started immediately. This will also exclude the development of its severe form.
What to do in order to restore human health? To do this, it is enough to take all necessary measures to destroy the tick and its eggs. This can be easily achieved using local remedies. However, one should never self-medicate. If symptoms of scabies occur, you should consult a dermatologist who will prescribe adequate therapy.
The following drugs are used to treat this infectious disease:
- "Spreagel". This spray is applied to the affected skin for three days. If necessary, therapy is repeated after 10 days.
- "Benzyl benzoate". This preparation in the form of an ointment or a water-soap suspension treats the skin for 2-5 days.
- Sulfuric ointment. This tool is rubbed onto the affected area of the skin before bed for 5-7 days.
- Lindane This drug is a lotion. Apply it once, lubricating the skin and leaving it on for 6 hours.
- Permethrin. A cotton swab is impregnated with this agent, lubricating the affected areas for 3 days.
- Crotamiton. This drug is a cream that is used for two days, lubricating the affected surfaces twice a day.
- Ivermectin. This ointment treats skin areas only once. If necessary, treatment is repeated after two weeks.
How to achieve the most effective result in the treatment of scabies? To do this, you will need to follow certain rules:
- at the established diagnosis, all members of the family or children's team should undergo a course of therapy;
- when undergoing treatment, patients should not wash themselves, as well as make a change of bed linen;
- it will be necessary to disinfect clothes and other objects with which the infected person had direct contact;
- it is necessary to apply funds from scabies not only to the area of affected areas, but also to the entire body.
All ointments from scabies are rubbed into the skin with special care. When applying them, you should avoid areas in the area of hair on the head, as well as on the face. Particular attention is paid to the hands and the space between the fingers, since the localization of parasites occurs, as a rule, in these places.
In order to prevent scabies from developing into a purulent infection, children are treated with hair on the head and face. It is important that the product used does not get into the baby’s eyes or mouth.
The prognosis for scabies treatment is generally favorable. In the event that the symptoms of the disease are detected in a timely manner and the therapy is organized correctly, all one hundred percent of patients are cured.