Unusual Itching? It Could Be Scabies!
It is undeniable that humans coexist with parasites, as many parasites live on or inside the human body without us even realizing it. This coexistence is part of the balance within the ecosystem of microorganisms that accompany human life. However, on the other hand, these parasites can be pathogenic, as they are capable of infecting the body and causing diseases.
One of the most common parasitic infections found worldwide is scabies. Are you familiar with scabies, or have you ever experienced it yourself? If you're curious and want to learn more, let’s explore the explanation in the following article.
- What is scabies and how is it transmitted?
- Scabies Diagnosis Methods
- Scabies Treatment
- The Importance of Scabies Prevention
What is scabies and how is it transmitted?
Scabies is a skin disease characterized by red rashes accompanied by intense itching, caused by an infection of the parasite Sarcoptes scabiei. This parasite can be transmitted directly through skin-to-skin contact or indirectly through contaminated objects or surfaces. Once transmission occurs, S. scabiei enters the host’s body by burrowing into the outer layer of the skin.
The female S. scabiei then lays her eggs within the skin, which will develop into adult parasites in about two weeks. The presence of the eggs, adult mites, their feces, and even their carcasses can trigger an allergic reaction in the body, resulting in red rashes and intense itching on the skin.
Scabies Diagnosis Methods
To determine whether an individual's itchy red rash is caused by scabies or not, the most basic and classical method involves recognizing the appearance of the rash, its location, and obtaining the patient’s medical history through professional assessment. In addition to this approach, scabies can also be diagnosed by directly observing the parasite in a skin scraping under a microscope. However, it is important to note that microscopic examination may yield false-negative results, as the parasite might not be captured during the scraping process.
This happens because the allergic reaction caused by scabies is due to a systemic immune response rather than a localized one, meaning that the presence of a rash does not necessarily indicate that the parasite is located in that specific area.
Scabies Treatment
Once someone is infected with scabies, the first-line treatment typically involves the application of 5% permethrin cream or oral ivermectin tablets. Permethrin is a synthetic compound that works by attacking the nervous system of Sarcoptes scabiei, leading to the parasite’s death. Similarly, ivermectin also disrupts S. scabiei via its nervous system, although it targets a different mechanism.
Besides these two medications, several alternative treatments are available if the initial therapy shows no significant improvement. These alternatives include 10% crotamiton lotion or cream, 5–10% sulfur ointment, 0.5% malathion lotion, 0.9% topical spinosad suspension, or 1% lindane lotion. In severe cases of scabies with a high parasite load, it is recommended to use both oral and topical medications simultaneously to enhance treatment effectiveness and prevent treatment failure.
Nevertheless, it is essential that these medications be used under a doctor’s prescription to ensure therapeutic efficacy while minimizing potential side effects.
The Importance of Scabies Prevention
In conclusion, although scabies is not a life-threatening disease, prevention and accurate diagnosis remain crucial. If left untreated, scabies can significantly impair quality of life due to intense itching and may progress to more severe forms. Therefore, maintaining personal and environmental hygiene, along with treating all close contacts, is key to preventing and controlling the spread of scabies.
Interested in learning more about diseases caused by parasitic infections and other microorganisms? Read other interesting articles on IML Research to broaden your knowledge about health and the importance of laboratory testing. Discover a variety of scientific and educational insights only at IML Research.
Author: Devira
Editor: Sabilla Reza
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (n.d.). Clinical care for scabies. Diakses 30 April 2024, dari https://www.cdc.gov/scabies/hcp/clinical-care/index.html.
Murray RL, Crane JS. Scabies. [Updated 2023 Jul 31]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK544306/.
Salavastru, C. M., Chosidow, O., Boffa, M. J., Janier, M., & Tiplica, G. S. (2017). European guideline for the management of scabies. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 31(8). https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.14351.
