What Are the Symptoms of Scabies Mites, Itching, and Treatment Methods?

Have you ever heard of scabies mites? Scabies is a contagious skin disease caused by tiny parasites that live on human skin. Because it is highly contagious, it can also spread through bedding, clothing, and contaminated items. It is said that scabies, a skin disease, has occurred in one dormitory and is now drawing attention. Today, we will briefly look at scabies mites, scabies itching symptoms, and scabies treatment methods.

Table of contents

1. What are scabies mites?

2. Scabies itching symptoms

3. Scabies treatment methods

4. Managing the living environment for scabies

What are scabies mites?

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Scabies mites, scientifically known as Sarcoptes scabiei, are tiny parasites that live on human skin and cause the contagious skin disease called scabies.

They are mainly active at night, which is why scabies itching tends to worsen at night. They burrow into the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the skin, and lay eggs there.

Female mites make burrows, and the eggs hatch in the burrows and grow from larvae into adults.

A small needle-like mark can be seen at the starting point of the burrow, and the burrow may be observed as a gray or dark brown linear lesion about 5 mm long.

Scabies diagnosis methods

1. Scrape the suspected area to obtain tissue.

2. Check for scabies mites under a microscope.

3. Burrow ink test: Apply ink to the suspected area, rub it in, and then wipe it off with an alcohol swab. If the skin is infected with scabies, a zigzag line will appear on the skin. This is because the ink soaks into the burrow the parasite has made, making the line visible.

Scabies symptoms and itching

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So, what symptoms does scabies cause?

The most prominent symptom is itching. It is especially severe at night.

This happens because the substances released while the mites are active at night trigger an allergic reaction in the skin. Red rashes that look like insect bites may appear, and small blisters or pus-filled lesions can develop.

Tiny raised bumps and white skin flakes may also appear. Because scratching due to scabies itching can lead to secondary eczema and impetigo, care should be taken not to scratch carelessly. It usually appears after an incubation period of 4 to 6 weeks and can affect the whole body except the face, causing itching all over the body.

Scabies treatment methods

If family members or others living together have scabies, they should be treated even if they have no symptoms in order to prevent reinfection.

As mentioned earlier, because it is highly contagious, any clothes, bedding, or towels used together should be boiled and washed in hot water. Items that are difficult to wash should be sealed in a plastic bag and stored for more than one week to eliminate the mites.

If scabies is treated according to medical staff instructions, the prognosis is generally good. Before going to bed, after showering or bathing, apply 1% lindane lotion or cream evenly over the entire body, and after waking up, wash it off thoroughly with a shower or a wet towel. This can significantly reduce itching. In severe cases, topical steroid ointment or antihistamines may be used.

🎯 Representative scabies treatments

-Lindane lotion: Because it can cause central nervous system side effects, caution is needed for infants, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers.

-5% permethrin cream: A widely used treatment. It can also be used in infants older than 2 months, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers.

-Oral ivermectin: Can be used when there is no treatment response to ointments or in severe cases. In Korea, it is prescribed only in limited cases.

-Sulfur ointment (5–10%): Can also be used in infants under 2 years old.

Managing the living environment for scabies

During scabies treatment, underwear, bedding, and towels used should be washed thoroughly in hot water for 10 to 20 minutes.

After washing, they should be dried at high temperature. If washing is difficult, it is important to seal them in a plastic bag for 3 to 7 days to eliminate the scabies mites.

If treated properly, it improves within a few weeks, but itching may still remain even after treatment. If you feel scabies itching symptoms, it is advisable to receive appropriate care at a medical institution.

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