People have a great fear for skin problems. The reason being, most of them are highly contagious. One of such spreadable skin disorder is scabies. Often characterized by its rash symptoms, it is generally mistaken as other skin problems. But not anymore! Here is detailed information, which will help you differentiating between the scabies rash and other skin problems.
Have you ever heard of scabies before? Well, if not it will be a little difficult to identify the symptoms at first experience. This is a common condition, which is caused by the presence of little mites which enters a human body through direct and indirect contact. These mites are microscopic in size and thus they are not visible to naked eye. They can burrow deep into the skin's upper layer and what increases the infestation is when these mites start laying eggs in your flesh. Then these eggs hatch and grow up into scabies mites, causing increase in their numbers.
Diagnosing Scabies Infection
As said earlier it is a highly contagious skin condition, it is not that simple to be diagnosed. Along this, scabies is somewhat similar in appearance to several other skin ailments. A number of symptoms match ideally with problems like eczema, bedbug bite, psoriasis, etc. The second and major reason, which makes diagnosis difficult, is that it takes a good time for the symptoms to appear completely. In addition, other than intense itching, there is no other particular symptom of scabies which varies from person to person. Hence, it is often ignored or misdiagnosed.
How dermatological diagnosis scabies?
If intense itching occurs or you observe some red rashes, it is better you consult your dermatologists. The experts can easily diagnose the disease and confirm you regarding the same. They will visually examine your body skin from head to toe and if needed, will go for some popular scabies test too.
What are the different types of scabies test?
Professionals can perform different tests. However, there are mainly two types of test, which guarantees full proof confirmation.
- The Ink Test: It is the widely used and trusted scabies test. During this test, the doctors mark the suspected area with help of a washable marker first. Then the ink is later wiped off with help of alcoholic cloth.
What happens?
Once they clear off the ink from the skin surface, the areas with the burrows will show an outline of the ink. These will appear similar to the dark streaks, pointing towards the presence of scabies mites under your skin.
- The Scraping Test: Another way out to assure the presence of scabies mites is with help of this test. In this method, the dermatologist scrapes off a tiny bit of skin. Don’t worry, it is not that painful.
What happens?
The scarped skin is placed on a glass slide and then it is checked under microscope. If scabies mites or their eggs are visible to the professional, it becomes evident that the person is infested by scabies mites and needs to be treated.
How to treat scabies completely?
It is very important to get rid of scabies as soon as possible. Not only the person diagnosed with scabies, but also the other people, who come in contact with the affectant become more prone to this skin disorder. Thus, treatment is not constrained to the patient only, but everyone who lives with the person.
For complete treatment you have many options. A number of scabies treatment creams are available over the counter, but most of them use harmful insecticides like permethrin and lidocaine. These chemicals are not good for your skin. However, you can count on topical creams like Dr. Scabies, which make use of natural elements.
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