What causes scabies?
Disease description:
Recently, I have been feeling itching on my body quite often, and also developed some particularly unusual symptoms. A friend mentioned that this might be scabies. What causes scabies?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Wenmin
The main causes of scabies include:
1. Scabies mite infection: The scabies mite is the primary pathogen responsible for scabies. It spreads mainly through direct contact (such as handshaking, hugging, sexual contact) or indirect contact via shared clothing, bed linens, and other personal items with infected individuals.
2. Parasite reproduction: Once scabies mites infest human skin, female mites burrow into the skin to lay eggs. The hatched larvae continue to parasitize the skin, causing symptoms and facilitating transmission.
3. Weakened immunity: Individuals with weakened immune systems, such as the elderly, pregnant women, and infants, are more likely to develop severe symptoms after infection with scabies mites.
4. Close contact: In crowded environments with high population density, such as households, schools, and prisons, the risk of scabies transmission is higher due to frequent interpersonal contact.
5. Personal hygiene: Poor personal hygiene, infrequent bathing, and failure to change into clean clothes regularly can increase the risk of scabies mite infestation.
Scabies is usually treated with topical acaricidal medications such as sulfur ointment, lindane lotion, and benzyl benzoate emulsion. Oral antihistamines may also be prescribed to relieve symptoms. Additionally, both the patient and close contacts should receive treatment simultaneously. Clothing and bed linens should be thoroughly washed or disinfected to prevent reinfestation.
