Scabies is highly transmissible

The scabies is a highly transmissible and cosmopolitan disease, whose most frequent transmission factors are poverty, overcrowding and sexual promiscuity . It is associated with low socioeconomic strata, in which it is also frequent to observe hygiene Y nutrition deficient.

According to the health authorities, the personal hygiene and coexistence with domestic animals, such as the infected dog or cat, play a very important role in the transmission of this disease.

The scabies It is transmitted through the mite Sarcoptes scabiei , mainly by direct contact, although contagion is not ruled out for bedding, infected personnel and sexual contact; In addition, it is common in some institutions (nursing homes, schools, barracks, hospitals). Dogs, cats and other domestic animals also suffer from the parasite and may be responsible for infestation and sensitization, causing a dermatitis .

 

Identify the symptoms

According to specialists, the initial symptoms are mild and are usually attributed to the bite of an insect. Itching is a fundamental symptom that tends to aggravate at night (reaction of hypersensitivity to saliva, eggs, fecal matter of mites).

Scratching, which initially relieves the patient because it destroys the tunnels and some parasites, is counterproductive because it becomes a form of mite dissemination. Typically, the tunnels are located in interdigital folds, wrists, on the edges of hands and feet, extensor surfaces of elbows and knees, penis , scrotum, breast folds and even nipples, buttocks, armpits, waist and popliteal folds (areas at the level of shoulders and knees).

Treatment

The treatment against scabies It must be applied to all family members and close contacts. The fight against this parasite includes, in addition to antibiotics and antihistamines prescribed by a specialist, a rigorous personal grooming and washing clothes in hot water (it is recommended to store in garbage bags those garments that can not be washed for 2 weeks).

If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above, go immediately to the doctor and avoid complications.