Scabies: An itch mite known as Sarcoptes Scabei causes an itchy skin problem known as scabies. What are mites? These are tiny parasites with eight legs and are about 1/3 millimeters in length. The itching gets worse at night. You may not be able to see these mites with your naked eye; but if you use a microscope, then these mites will be visible.
Sensitive to the environment, the scabies mite can survive off the host body for anywhere between 24-36 hours. The mites get transmitted from one body to another through skin to skin contact. But just shaking hands or sharing bed clothes cannot transfer the scabies mite. The disease can be transmitted through sexual contact. Others forms of physical touch might also spread the disease. You can get scabies from relatives, family members or friends. Basically, prolonged physical contact can spread scabies.
Scabies from cats and dogs: You might be wondering if you can get scabies from your house pet. The mites that affect dogs and cats are different from the ones that thrive on the human skin. The feline or canine mites cannot survive on the human skin and at the most you might get a mild itch.
Signs and Symptoms of Scabies
• Small red blisters and bumps on the skin are signs of scabies. These are rashes that pop up at specific parts of the body.
• Scabies can affect the webbed skin between fingers, at the back of elbows, wrists, around the waist, the knees and umbilicus. Scabies can also affect the skin on the buttocks, genital area, feet and around the nipples.
• Papules or the bumps can contain blood crusts. But do not confuse the bumps with scabies mites. There might be lots of bumps on the skin, but for all you know, they might be caused by about ten to fifteen mites.
• Scabies rash is visible on the soles of the feet, palms, neck, face and head of children and babies.
• It is important to remember that the symptoms might show up a month or two after the mite infestation. Itching is the most relentless symptom, and it just gets worse. It might become unbearable after a few weeks.
Home Remedies for Scabies
While we suggest that you visit a doctor for treatment, you can try a few solutions at home too.
• Use the essential oil of the margosa tree. This oil can stop the mites from breeding and can sooth the itching. Put some of this oil and tincture in your bath water, and soak in the water for sometime. Use a lotion containing margosa extract after your bath. You can even bathe with a soap containing margosa essential oil.
• The essential oil of Tea tree is known to kill parasites and mites. Mix some oil in your bathwater and soak in it. You can put some oil on a swab and apply it on the affected area.
