Scabies is a contagious disease that affects mostly the children (especially adopted ones), those who live in orphanages, boarding schools and nursing centers. Adults are no exempt from this disease. Homeless persons, those who live in crowded places and sexual partners can get affected by scabies. Scabies is not taken after a simple hand shake, it is needed a more prolonged contact to get infected with this disease. The infection transmits by mites and by eggs too. The female can deposit eggs for five weeks and after that the new mites will deposit their own eggs and so the infection will spread continuously if left untreated.

Scabies affects the skin between the fingers, the skin of elbows, wrists and waist. The infection is caused by the female insect which shelters under the skin and lays daily 2-3 eggs. The symptoms of scabies are intense itches in the affected areas, a rash and a zigzag blister that hard to see with the naked eye. A magnifying glass could help detect scabies.

Post scabies irritation is recognized after water blisters on the feet, wrists, and fingers which itch terribly. This condition appears due to the remains left under the skin after the mites have been killed. It can take a lot of time until this irritation disappears.

If being infected with scabies, you should wash or bathe in diluted Lice R Gone? Shampoo, Safe Solutions, Inc. Enzyme Cleaner with Peppermint, or borax. The doctor should be consulted first. You can also use Elimite (or permethrin cream).

For relieving the itching you can use: Eucalyptus oil, hydrocortisone creams, oatmeal baths and baking soda baths.

Products containing Lindane are not recommended because they produce severe adverse reactions in some persons.

In the treatment process strict hygiene is indicated. The clothes, towels and other laundry must be well washed in hot water, at over 120o F. also, cut the nails as short as possible because scabies eggs can be hidden there. Brushes, combs and other hair accessories must be cleaned in solutions like borax and Safe Solutions or boiled for at least 15 minutes in hot water.

If your child is infected with scabies you should check up the other family members too because scabies can easily spread among close people.

Generally scabies will clear up after two weeks of treatment but check-ups must be done periodically to see if reinstalment of the disease has occurred.