| Scabies is an infectious skin condition which is caused | | | | Secondly, the symptoms of scabies do not appear for |
| due to the microscopic mites beneath the surface of | | | | a few weeks and hence can mislead the diagnosis of |
| the skin. These mites which cause scabies on the | | | | the condition. As soon as the parasite contaminates |
| human host are identified as Sarcoptes scabiei var. | | | | the skin, one of the initial symptoms is rash, severe itch |
| hominis and these could easily spread by coming into | | | | and skin inflammation. |
| direct skin contact with the contaminated objects or | | | | The mites that cause scabies would not be able to |
| infested individuals. Being highly contagious in nature, | | | | survive without the human host; therefore the female |
| scabies are known to cause alarming epidemics on | | | | mites burrowed within the surface of the skin lay eggs |
| crowded places such as nursing homes, schools, | | | | and spread the infestation to the other parts of the |
| kindergartens and orphanages. | | | | body. The eggs might contain the toxic elements which |
| In order to prevent the spread of disease, it is | | | | generate severe itch and allergies. Once the eggs |
| advisable to avoid contact with the infested people. | | | | hatch, the larvae would appear on the surface of the |
| Scabies can live up to one week without the human | | | | skin and develop into the adult mites. After the |
| host and therefore the personal items such as linens, | | | | treatment, even if the larvae are removed, they could |
| clothing and towels of the affected persons must be | | | | still survive for a week. |
| thoroughly washed to avoid second infestations. | | | | |