Scabies

Subject: Medical and Surgical Nursing I (Theory)

Overview

The small burrowing mite Sarcoptes scabiei is the source of the scratchy skin ailment known as scabies. In the vicinity of the mite's burrows, there is severe itching brought on by its presence. At night, the impulse to scratch could be particularly powerful. Scabies symptoms and signs include itching that is frequently intense and usually worse at night, as well as thin, uneven burrow tracks on your skin that are composed of minuscule blisters or lumps. The mites can spread through close personal contact and, less frequently, through sharing clothing or bedding with an infected person. Infections caused by scabies are frequently treated with medicated lotions.Permethrin 5% cream is the most popular type. Crotamiton, petrolatum-sulfur, and benzyl benzoate are some more creams. Some high-risk groups are susceptible to crusted scabies, a more severe form of scabies that can damage the immune system, such as those who have HIV or chronic leukemia.

Scabies

Definition

The small burrowing mite Sarcoptes scabiei is the source of the scratchy skin ailment known as scabies. In the vicinity of the mite's burrows, there is severe itching brought on by its presence. At night, the impulse to scratch could be particularly powerful. In a family, daycare center, classroom, or nursing home, intimate physical contact can swiftly spread scabies, which is contagious. Doctors frequently suggest therapy for the entire family or contact group to get rid of the mite because scabies is contagious.

Symptoms

Scabies symptoms and signs include

  • Itching that is typically acute and worse at night.
  • Thin, erratic burrow marks on your skin that look like tiny blisters or lumps.

Scabies is most frequently found in adults.

  • Between fingers
  • In armpits
  • Around your waist
  • Along the insides of wrists
  • On your inner elbow
  • On the soles of your feet
  • Around breasts
  • Around the male genital area
  • On buttocks
  • On knees
  • On shoulder blades

Common places for infestation in kids are the

  • Scalp
  • Face
  • Neck
  • Palms of the hands
  • Soles of the feet

Causes

The minuscule eight-legged mite that causes scabies in people is tiny. The female mite excavates a tunnel just below your skin, where it lays her eggs. In three to four days the eggs hatched, and the mite larvae made their way to the skin's surface where they developed and were able to move to other parts of your skin or the skin of other persons. Your body's allergic response to the mites, their eggs, and their excrement causes the itching of scabies. The mites can spread through close personal contact and, less frequently, through sharing clothing or bedding with an infected person.

Treatment and Nursing Management

  • Infections caused by scabies are frequently treated with medicated lotions. Permethrin 5% cream is the most popular type. Crotamiton, petrolatum-sulfur, and benzyl benzoate are some more creams..
  • To control itching, people take antihistamine drugs as Benadryl, hydroxyzine, cetrine, etc.
  • Calamine lotion and a chilly soak can be used to soothe irritation.
  • Medical instruction.

Teach The Patient

  • To retain cleanliness.
  • Should trim nails and thoroughly clean below them to get rid of any possible mites or eggs.
  • Do not scrape.
  • To keep any wounds that are open clean.

Complications

An impetigo-like secondary bacterial infection might develop if you scratch your skin too hard. Crusty scabies, a more severe form of scabies, may affect certain high-risk groups, including:

  • Individuals with long-term immune-suppressing illnesses like HIV or chronic leukemia.
  • Very ill individuals, such as those residing in hospitals or nursing homes.
  • Elderly residents of nursing facilities.
Things to remember
  • The small burrowing mite Sarcoptes scabiei is the source of the scratchy skin ailment known as scabies.
  • In a family, daycare center, classroom, or nursing home, intimate physical contact can swiftly spread scabies, which is contagious.
  • To control itching, people take antihistamine drugs as Benadryl, hydroxyzine, cetrine, etc.
  • To get rid of any mites or eggs that could be there, trim your nails and clean under them well.
  • Violent scratching can cause skin damage and open the door for a secondary bacterial infection, such impetigo.
  • At night, the impulse to scratch could be particularly powerful.
Questions and Answers

The small burrowing mite Sarcoptes scabiei is the source of the scratchy skin ailment known as scabies. In the vicinity of the mite's burrows, there is severe itching brought on by its presence. At night, the impulse to scratch could be particularly powerful.

In a family, daycare center, classroom, or nursing home, close physical contact can quickly spread scabies, which is contagious. Doctors frequently suggest treatment for the entire family or contact group to get rid of the mite because scabies is contagious.

 

Symptoms

Scabies signs and symptoms include:

  • Itching, often severe and usually worse at night.
  • Thin, irregular burrow tracks made up of tiny blisters or bumps on your skin.

In adults scabies is most often found:

  • Between fingers.
  • In armpits.
  • Around your waist.
  • Along the insides of wrists.
  • On your inner elbow.
  • On the soles of your feet.
  • Around breasts.
  • Around the male genital area.
  • On buttocks.
  • On knees.
  • On shoulder blades.

In children, common sites of infestation include the:

  • Scalp.
  • Face.
  • Neck.
  • Palms of the hands.
  • Soles of the feet.

Causes

The minuscule eight-legged mite that causes scabies in people is tiny. The female mite excavates a tunnel just below your skin, where it lays her eggs. In three to four days the eggs hatched, and the mite larvae made their way to the skin's surface where they developed and were able to move to other parts of your skin or the skin of other persons. Your body's allergic response to the mites, their eggs, and their excrement causes the itching of scabies.

The mites can spread through close personal contact and, less frequently, through sharing clothing or bedding with an infected individual.

 

Treatment and Nursing Management

  • Medicated creams are commonly used to treat scabies infections. The most commonly used cream is permethrin 5%. Other creams include benzyl benzoate, sulfur in petrolatum and crotamiton.
  • Use of antihistamines medications such as Benadryl, hydroxyzine, cetrine etc to control itching.
  • Use of cool soak and calamine lotion to reduce itching.
     

Health Education

  • Teach the patient.
  • To maintain hygiene.
  • To cut nails and can under them thoroughly to remove any mites or egg that may be present.
  • Avoid scratching.
  • To keep any open sores clean.

Complications:

Vigorous scratching can break your skin and allow a secondary bacterial infection, such as impetigo, to occur.

A more severe form of scabies, called crusted scabies, may affect certain high-risk groups, including:

  • People with chronic health conditions that weaken the immune system, such as HIV or chronic leukemia.
  • People who are very ill, such as people in hospitals or nursing facilities.
  • Older people in nursing homes.

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