Are you itching all over? Do you feel like you can't shake a cold? Do you scratch and burn at night and find little spots all over your body? Does everyone around you have a red, itchy rash? If so, then you might have scabies. Scabies is a fungal infection that affects both children and adults, but it's especially common in babies and toddlers because it usually starts as a diaper rash. While there's no cure, you can get relief if you learn how to treat scabies effectively.

What is scabies?

Most people know that they itch, but do you know why?

Scratching is one of the most common ways we humans try to relieve an itching sensation. But in fact, scratching can make the problem worse.

During an average day, your skin might see something nice like sandals or rough shoes. But it can also come into contact with things like straw or cotton dust, dry cleaning chemicals, food additives, perfume, and dander.

All these things can be allergens, and when your body reacts to them, they cause a mild rash or hives. Chemicals put out by plants, such as pollen or mold spores, may even trigger a reaction from your scalp.

But many don’t realize that scaly patches can happen for reasons other than allergies. Scratches can worsen the irritation, preventing any precise diagnosis, so avoid scratching unless you have a doctor-recommended treatment plan.

Also, although chafing between legs is usually caused by friction against pants seams or fabrics, it can be due to several factors related to exercise. Muscle soreness and fatigue (lower leg pain) have been known to affect athletic performance, and some studies suggest that hot showers help reduce muscle aches.

Who gets scabies?

Symptoms of scabies usually include itching with or without skin sores.

The itch is caused by an infestation of mites and parasitic worms that burrow through your skin.

You can get scabies from other people only if you touch their faces or hands. You can also get scabs at least once in your life if you go to work or visit friends who don’t know how to treat their symptoms.

A doctor must diagnose scabies; however, there are some simple things you can do to look like you’re taking care of it. These include washing your body daily after touching someone else, using cleaning soap and water for hand washing, and not sharing utensils or food with someone who has just been treated for scabies.

How do you get scabies?

An infestation of scabies bugs can be tough to eradicate. These parasites drive the symptoms – if not enough worms are produced, there is no itch. Once they have checked into your skin, scabies mites begin to burrow into your superficial layers, making treatment challenging.

How it spreads

There are three ways scabies has been documented to spread; via touch, through air contact, and (less often) via personal items such as clothing or towels.

Prevention depends on treating all new things in your area and avoiding touch with others once you know you’re infected. Treatment for scabies includes applying a saline solution or cream treatments daily until the itch disappears. Sometimes antibiotics may be used alongside this for better effect.

What happens when you have scabies?

When you have scabies, tiny mites invade your skin. They bite into your epidermis (the top layer of skin). Your body reacts by creating red bumps. Then, over time, these become sores or blisters.

How do I know if I am infected with scabies?

Look for itchy rashes. A defining characteristic of scabies is an itch that runs through its entire length. The irritation comes and goes and can be triggered by any number of reasons.

Scratching leaves behind open wounds and doesn’t help reduce the severity of the rash. Scratching too much can damage the skin tissue causing scarring.

What can you do?

People with scabies itch because of an infection in the skin called Peridermitus. The bacteria that cause the scab is not killing them; it’s feeding off their blood. Once the condition has been treated, your dermatologist will prescribe one or more medications to kill any remaining bacteria.

It kills two birds with one stone: Not only does this stop the scratching, but it also reduces the inflammation caused by the itching.

In conclusion, if you’re suffering from an itchy rash on your body, it might be scabies. Scabies is caused by mites living on the skin. Although the mites don’t cause harm, they irritate and spread through the skin. Scabies can appear anywhere on your body, especially on the hands and feet, between the fingers and toes, and around the scalp. If you’re itching all over, contact your doctor right away. The sooner you seek treatment, the better.

To find out more about Scabies or to schedule an appointment with a dermatologist near you, visit https://www.skinfinityderma.com/ or call +91 98999 61629