Got Some Scabies Rashes- It’s Time to Check!

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.

Protect Your Skin in Winters!

The coldest season of the year arrives with a set of skin care issues. Continue to read to save yourself!

Introduction

The chilly temperature, low humidity and breezy air in the winter months can be really harsh on your delicate and soft skin causing various skin issues. As such, your skin yearns for little extra care and attention during winters. Though, many people suffer from common winter skin problems during the winter days. 

Have a look at them:

Extremely Dry Dull Skin

Due to the extreme cool winds and wearing woolen clothes all the day, often many people suffer from dry, flaky and even itchy skin. Lack of moisturizer is the main reason behind this common winter skin problem.

 

  In the winter months, apply a good quality moisturizer twice a day. In case, you have extremely dry and dead skin, you should apply moisturizer at least three to four times every day. Using a moisturizer that contains occlusive ingredients like petrolatum or mineral oil prevents evaporation and loss of water from the skin. This would help you gain extra skin care.

The best time to apply moisturizer is after a bath when your skin is still moist. You can also apply it again at bedtime.

As an additional tip, take warm showers. Too hot water makes skin feel more dry and itchy and make it look dull.  

Pale, lifeless Chapped Lips

Chapped lips are yet another common skin concern during cold winter months. The reason behind this is that our lips do not have oil glands and therefore they become extremely dry.

To get rid of this issue, make sure you use a good lip balm or chap stick to keep your lips soft and moist. Also, keep in mind that you don’t lick your lips in winter to keep them moist. This further damages them.

Soring Sun Burns

During winter seasons, people often neglect the importance of applying sunscreen in order to protect the skin from harmful sunrays. This causes the most common winter skin ailment – sun burn. 

 As a consequence, sun exposure can result in skin cancer, folds and other skin problems. Just like you apply sunscreen in summers, applying it in winters is also as important. Regular application of sunscreen will help you prevent sunburns, minimalize the risk of cold sores, prevent aging – wrinkles and spots, and of course, skin cancer.

Chapped Hands

Due to dry, cold weather, many people suffer from chapped hands. Since, the skin on the back of the hands is thin, cold weather may cause it to dry and crack. Further these may lead to wrinkles.

To solve this skin problem, put your hands in gloves whenever you step out the door. You must also apply hand cream during the winter months; it’ll help you in keeping your hands soft, smooth and healthy throughout the day.

Eyebrow Dandruff

 

While washing the face, you probably don’t get into eyebrows. As such, with time, dead cells stack up and forms flakes. This is commonly known as eyebrow dandruff. So, to prevent this, use a face wash with gentle buffers like jojoba beads pointing brows to slough skin in both a.m. and p.m. at home. On the go, make it a point to carry makeup remover wipes. Also, until flakes are gone, skip brow products, so gook doesn’t build up.   

Bonus winter skin care tips

·         During the winter, drink about eight to ten glasses of water daily to keep your skin well hydrated. Also, you must eat fruits and vegetables that are high in water content.

·         Throughout the day, use a gentle moisturizing cleanser to nourish the skin and to avoid stiffness often felt after washing the face.

·         Dry indoor air can cause water to evaporate from the skin and make it tight and flaky. As such, use a humidifier to replace the lost moisture in the air.

·         Always use a moisturizer with UVA and UVB protection into your skin before you step out in the Sun.