Scabies Skin Condition : Treatment and Advice For Patient
Scabies is an infestation with the sarcoptes scabie mite. It is transmitted by prolonged skin-to-skin contact with someone who is infected. A fertilised female has to be transferred for infestation to occur. The female mite will then burrow into the skin to lay the eggs: 4−6 weeks later, a hypersensitivity rash will appear.
Approximate age group
Affects all age groups.
Presentation
The rash is made up of excoriated papules scattered over the trunk and limbs but sparing the face (except in infants). The patient will experience intense itch, especially at night. Identification of one or more burrow will confirm the diagnosis. Burrows are most often found on the hands and feet in the sides of the fingers and toes and web spaces. In infants, burrows are often present on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
Treatment
5% permethrin cream or 0.5% malathion lotion can be used. It is important to take the time to explain to the patient exactly how to use the treatment, and explanatory treatment sheets are also useful. All family members and close physical contacts with the affected individual should be treated simultaneously. Advise the patient not to have a bath or shower prior to applying treatment. Topical applications should be applied from the neck to the toes, paying particular attention to behind both ears, axillae, under breasts, navel, groin and genital areas, and between fingers and toes.
The patient should be reminded not to wash their hands after applying treatment. If hands need to be washed during the night, further application is required. The treatment is applied at night before the patient goes to bed and is left on for the allotted time. After the allotted time, the treatment should be washed off in the bath or shower.
Underwear, nightwear and bed sheets should be changed. Bedding and nightwear should be washed and ironed.
Advice to patient
Itch does not resolve immediately following treatment but will gradually improve over 2−3 weeks in some individuals, although it may take up to 8 weeks to finally resolve. Residual itch can be treated with a mild or moderate topical steroid or crotamiton cream twice a day together with regular emollient therapy.
Traffic light
Treatment failure in scabies is due to:
• the scabicide not being applied over the whole body
• the contacts not being treated
• the wrong diagnosis.
Keep Your Healty !
Scabies Skin Condition, Natural Treatment, Disease, Advice For Patient
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