Do you suspect mites on human skin? Scabies is a common, irritating skin condition with millions of cases worldwide every year. It’s caused by itch mites on human skin. A dermatologist can diagnose scabies, and it is among many of the other conditions we treat at Vujevich Dermatology Associates.
What causes skin mites on humans, or scabies?
An infestation of itch mites on human skin causes scabies. The bug is so small it cannot be seen by the naked eye. When the mite burrows into the top layer of skin to live, feed, and lay eggs, scabies appears. It is a direct reaction to the skin mite, and an extremely itchy rash develops. Itching is most severe in children and elderly.
Typically, scabies spreads though prolonged, skin-to-skin contact. It’s passed easily between family members and sexual partners, and is particularly common in nursing homes and childcare facilities. Less commonly, people can also contract scabies from infested, shared items like bedding, clothes, and furniture. It is uncommon for scabies to be passed through a quick handshake or hug as the mite cannot jump or fly, and it crawls very slowly. Mites only survive two to four days away from human skin. Since scabies takes time to appear on a person who has never had the condition, it can be spread without any signs or symptoms.
Can you get these skin mites from your dog or cat?
Although dogs and cats can also contract scabies, better known as mange, humans cannot get scabies from animals. The mite that triggers scabies in humans differs from the mite that triggers scabies in animals.
How can you tell if you have scabies?
If you’ve never had scabies before, it takes about two to six weeks for the rash to develop and for symptoms to present. If you have had scabies before, it only takes days for symptoms to present.
Scabies can often be confused for another skin condition like keratosis pilaris, acne, or mosquito bites, but what sets it apart is its relentless, angry rash. Scabies symptoms include:
- Severe itching, mainly at night: The itching can be so intense it keeps a person awake at night.
- A rash appearing as little, red bumps: The bumps can look like hives, bites, knots under the skin, or pimples. Some develop scaly patches resembling eczema.
- Track-like burrows in the skin: Appearing as raised lines that are usually grayish white, these burrows are the tunnels where the female mite lays her eggs under the skin’s surface. There are usually 10 to 25 eggs inside these burrows.
- Sores: Scratching the rash can create sores and a subsequent infection like impetigo.
- Scales or blisters.
Keratosis pilaris vs scabies
Some may confuse keratosis pilaris for scabies, or vice versa, at first glance due to the small, itchy, bumps that can form from both. However, the two do have different characteristics. With keratosis pilaris, an itchy rash or an irregular pattern of rashes consisting of tiny bumps resembling goose pimples will form. The bumps are usually red or tan and form around hair follicles on the arms, thighs, buttocks, and cheeks. With scabies, the itchiness may be more severe, and instead of appearing like goose pimples, the bumps may look more like hives or bites under the skin. You may also notice those track-like burrows appearing as raised lines around the skin. In addition, the sores, scales, or blisters that can form may help set the two apart. You’ll want to be sure to see a dermatologist for proper diagnosis of your skin condition.
Norwegian scabies (or, crusted scabies)
A severe form of scabies, Norwegian scabies, develops when a person is infested with tens of thousands of mites. Also called crusted scabies, it causes the skin to develop thick crusts full of mites and eggs. The elderly, those with weakened immune systems, and people who are disabled most commonly develop this type of scabies. Since it is highly contagious, crusted scabies requires swift treatment to prevent outbreaks.
Although the itch mite can infest any part of the body, scabies is most commonly found in the following parts of the body:
- Between the fingers
- The folds of wrists, elbows, or knees
- Around the waistline and navel
- The head, neck, face, palms, and soles in very young children
- Skin covered by jewelry like a bracelet, watch, or ring
Diagnosis & Treatment of Scabies
Generally, a dermatologist can diagnose scabies by visually examining a patient’s skin from head to toe. To confirm a scabies diagnosis, a dermatologist may perform a skin scraping. The dermatologist will then be able to use a microscope to detect mites, eggs, etc.
Scabies will not go away on its own. Left untreated, the condition will worsen and spread to others. Only a doctor can prescribe medicine to treat scabies. Prescription creams are the most common form of treatment, but oral medication may also be prescribed.
How do you kill scabies mites?
The best way to quickly kill scabies mites and get rid of the condition is by a prescription from your dermatologist. Treatment typically lasts for three days, though it may require more than one round of treatment to kill the mites on human skin. It’s imperative to follow your doctor’s instructions to ensure recovery.
Your dermatologist can also administer other treatments, depending on the severity of the infestation. A dermatologist may also prescribe an antihistamine or Pramoxine lotion to control the itch, an antibiotic to kill any infection, and steroid cream to ease redness and swelling.
If you’re diagnosed with scabies, anyone who has close, physical contact with you should also be treated. This includes family members or sexual partners. Typically, a dermatologist will recommend treating all members of a household, even if no symptoms are present.
If you suspect you or someone in your household may have scabies, seek medical dermatology treatment as soon as possible from one of our board-certified Pittsburgh dermatologists.
Vujevich Dermatology Associates offers medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology from some of the most highly trained physicians and clinicians in the greater Pittsburgh area. You can reach our team at 412-429-2570 or visit our contact page to see all of our locations. You can also follow us on Facebook to see what’s new in the world of dermatology.