"Dangerous little monsters - under the microscope"
What can I do ?
See your doctor if you have symptoms of scabies
- Your doctor can check to see if your rash is due to scabies. A thorough head-to-toe examination in good lighting, with careful attention to skin crevices, will usually be recommended and performed at your dermatologist's office.
- Many cases of scabies can be diagnosed by dermatologists through examination alone. If a dermatologist has any doubts, he or she can do some simple, painless tests to diagnose scabies.
- The most common method involves applying a drop of sterile mineral oil to the suspected lesion. The site is then scraped with a scalpel over tightly stretched skin. The scrapings are transferred to a microscope for examination. A conclusive diagnosis is made by finding scabies mites or their eggs.
- Sometimes, an ink test is used. By applying a blue or black felt tipped pen to the suspected areas, dermatologists are able to see if the ink sinks into mite burrows.
Scabies is treatable
- Creams or lotions that kill the mite (such as 5% permethrin, lindane, and crotamiton) can be applied to the skin. Follow your doctor's instructions for treatment. Itching may continue for up to 1 to 2 weeks after treatment; it does not mean that the treatment did not work or that you got reinfested. Sometimes, a second course of treatment is necessary. Clothing and bed linens worn or used in the 48 hours before treatment should be washed and dried on hot cycles or professionally dry cleaned. There is no need for treatment of rugs or fumigation of the house, other than vacuuming and general cleanliness. All household members and sexual contacts of a person with scabies should be treated at the same time as the person with scabies.
Scabies can be prevented
- Infested persons should be excluded from school or day care until 24 hours after treatment. No one should share clothing, bedding, or other personal articles with an infested person. Clothing that cannot be laundered or dry cleaned should be stored for several days to avoid reinfestation.
What should I avoid to do ?
- Don't attempt to treat scabies with home remedies. Scrubbing
with laundry detergent or hard soaps, or applying kerosene will
only make the condition much worse.
Don't use steroids or any other creams unless prescribed by a dermatologist.
Idea of the ThinkQuest team no. 20510 -
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