Scabies is a parasitic skin disease that is caused by a scabies mite. Scabies is a contagious disease that can be contracted by shaking hands, using household items of a sick person.
ETIOLOGY AND PATHOGENESIS
The scabies mite is a small oval–shaped organism with a size of 0.3 by 0.25 mm – a female. The size of the male is even smaller. The source of the disease is females. Since males participate only in the fertilization of females, after which they die. Fertilization of females occurs on the surface of the skin. After fertilization, the females begin to make passages in the human epithelium, also gnawing through “ventilation passages” for the inflow of air for eggs, as well as for the subsequent exit of larvae and fertilization of a new generation of scabies mites.
The duration of the tick’s life outside the human skin does not exceed 14 days. When processing laundry, personal belongings of the patient at a temperature of 60 degrees, the tick remains viable for 60 minutes, and when boiled or frozen, they die almost immediately.
The symptoms of the disease are caused by an immune-allergic reaction of the body in response to the products of the tick’s vital activity, therefore, the disease manifests itself after sufficient sensitization of a person. The incubation (asymptomatic) period of scabies is up to four weeks.
Among all scabies infections, there are a large number of cases through sexual contact. In children’s educational institutions, scabies is transmitted through toys. Towels, linen, sports equipment, writing materials, etc.
SYMPTOMS OF SCABIES
With the development of the disease, the first symptom is itching, which increases significantly at night. Then there are paired rashes in certain areas of the skin. On external examination, it is possible to detect scabies – thin filamentous strips that may have a linear or zigzag shape. Sometimes such paths can end with a vesicle (bubble) through which you can see a tick – a white dot.
At the site of tick bites, small nodules appear, which, as a result of intensive combing, are covered with crusts with traces of blood. There is also a spotty papular rash, which tends to merge the individual elements of the rash. Over time, papules can turn into bubbles. The severity of the rash indicates an allergic reaction to the products of the tick’s vital activity. Since the skin is constantly combed, it is damaged – a large percentage of secondary pustular infection, for example, Staphylococcus aureus.
The favorite localization for ticks is the hands, to a greater extent the gaps of the skin between the fingers, the surface of the bend on the elbows, the nipple area in women, buttocks, in men – on the penis, thighs, popliteal cavities. Children have a characteristic localization – the soles of the feet, the scalp and the face.
DIAGNOSIS OF SCABIES
The process of extracting the tick from the blunt end of the stroke, followed by microscopy.
Thin sections of the corneal epithelium in the area of the course of the scabies mite – detection of mites, eggs.
Application of alkaline preparations to the skin – taking macerated skin, microscopy.
Data – patient complaints, anamnesis, the presence of a rash, the presence of more cases (relatives, friends) of scabies.
The presence and detection of scabies.
Videodermatoscopy.
TREATMENT OF SCABIES
Balsamic synthetic preparations – benzyl benzoate
Preparations of sulfur derivatives – 333% sulfur ointment, Wilkinson ointment
Antiparasitic agents – flicide, lysol, creolin
Before using all the preparations, it is necessary to take a bath – mechanical removal of ticks from the skin surface, after the bath – rubbing the preparations into the entire skin cover, excluding the scalp, paying attention to the favorite areas of localization.
