When people think about scabies, they often thing about the slums during the industrial revolution. However, even to this day, it continues to be quite a common condition. This is why it is important to be aware of scabies signs and symptoms, as well as treatment, so you do not need to let the condition progress any further.
The Nature of Scabies:
A lot of people are afraid of the things they can’t see, including itch mites and viruses, for instance. Scabies is caused by mites that can be found all over the world. This is also why you need to be aware of the scabies signs and symptoms no matter where you live. That said, in areas where it is particularly cold or particularly hot, the mites find it more difficult to survive. However, these are extremes that make the area virtually uninhabitable for humans as well. As such, you won’t find these mites in the Gobi Desert or on the South Pole, but then you won’t find people there either.
Fortunately, if people who carry the scabies mites shake hands with you, or sit beside you in class, it is unlikely that you will develop scabies. These bugs are not capable of jumping or flying. Rather, they slowly crawl over the body. Direct and prolonged skin to skin contact, for instance when you share a bed, is the most common way for the condition to spread.
What Are the Scabies Signs and Symptoms?
One of the difficulties with scabies is that it can be asymptomatic for as long as two months. This means that your partner may have it without you realizing it, and pass it on to you before either one of you are aware that you have scabies. It can also develop by sharing clothing and bedding, for instance, particularly if these are unwashed.
Female mites will try to burrow into your skin, where they deposit their wastes and eggs. When these eggs hatch, new mites are born and they head to the surface in an attempt to reproduce again. When they do, the females burrow into your skin and so on. The result of this is also the most common scabies signs and symptoms: a very severe itch. The itch, meanwhile presents with its own typical symptoms:
1. The itch is usually much worse at night, which is the prime activity time for the mites.
2. The itch spreads, affecting different parts of your body.
3. The parts of the body where you feel the itch also have bumps and red lines. The lines are usually indicative of a mite tunnel, with the bump being where they have burrowed in.
4. Bumps and lines are most common on skin folds, including the back of the knee and the elbow.
5. Those closest to you will also start to develop the itch.
Often, when people have scabies, they start by wondering whether they have been in any strange places as of late where they could have picked something up. Instead of thinking about this, however, you should seek medical attention to get rid of the bugs once and for all.
Scabies Treatment:
If you are diagnosed with scabies, you will also be provided with medication to treat it. That said, there are a few things you can do at home as well:
1. Rub coconut oil on the affected areas. This suffocates the mites and reduces itching.
2. Grab an onion, boil it, and apply to the skin directly.
3. Use turmeric with high curcumin content on the affected area.
