Skin Scabies
Scabies, a transmissible ectoparasite skin infection, is
characterized by superficial burrows, secondary infection and
intense itching. This makes good sense as the actual word
'scabies' is Latin for 'itch'.
Unlike alot of different infections and diseases the cause of
scabies is actually known. Caused by the mite, variety hominis,
it intensifies which results in extremely itchy skin that
rashes. This itchiness is because the pregnant female mites
tunnel into the stratum corneum of the skin to deposit eggs in
the burrow. Hatching in 3-10 days, the larvae, will move about
in the skin. It is in the skin where they become mature adults.
Adult mites will usually live in the skin for three to four
weeks. Although, the mites aren't able to live their entire life
in the skin, they are able to cause alot of itching and hassle
before they finally die.
As you can imagine the existance of mites in your skin is
extremely irritating and creates a huge itch sensation. Often
times this step will look alot like an allergic reaction on the
skin, which isn't far off as the presense of the mite eggs
inside the skin will produce a humongous allergic response. All
of this just leads to more itching which is extremely damaging
to the skin. Scabies, as you can see is an absolute pain,
as it causes constant irritation. If the itching sensation is
given into on a regular basis, often times sores will develop on
the skin, which in turn lead to increased risk of infection.
Sometimes classes as a sexual disease, scabies can easily
transmit by prolonged skin-to-skin contact with an infected
person. Often times it will rip through an entire household
through the sharing of clothing, bedding or towels. These second
hand methods of transmission are rarer, than first hand
skin-to-skin, although they should still be noted. Three hundred
million is the approximate number of scabies infestation cases
around the world each year.