Condition Lookup
Category:
Parasitic Skin Infections
Number of Conditions: 1
Scabies
Specialty: Infectious Diseases
Category: Parasitic Skin Infections
Symptoms:
intense itching, especially at night; thin burrow tracks in the skin; rash with small, red bumps
Root Cause:
Infestation by Sarcoptes scabiei mites causing skin irritation.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical observation of burrows; microscopic examination of skin scrapings for mites or eggs.
Treatment:
Topical scabicides and antihistamines for itching.
Medications:
Permethrin (topical scabicide), ivermectin (oral antiparasitic), antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine ) for symptom relief.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects over 200 million people worldwide; common in crowded living conditions.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Close contact with infected individuals, crowded environments.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent with appropriate treatment; symptoms resolve within weeks.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Secondary bacterial infections (e.g., impetigo), crusted scabies in immunocompromised individuals.