Scabies

Scabies: Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis in epidermis; chronic contagious dermatosis. Close contact; indirect via fomites; household/institutional outbreaks. Intense pruritus worse at night; winter; chronic.

Common Symptoms

Pruritus worse at night; papule; winter pruritus; severe itch; scabies nodule; miliary papules; scabephobia; hand vesicles

Causes and Pathogenesis

Delayed-type hypersensitivity; IgE elevated (specific to scabies; no cross-reactivity with dust mites); IgM/C3 vascular wall deposits; Langerhans cell injury. Lesions: papules (burrow), vesicles/pustules (fecal irritant), burrows, nodules. Direct (person/animal contact) and indirect (fomites) transmission. Cell-mediated (T-cell) infiltration.

Treatment

Drug therapy, supportive therapy

Preventive Measures

Improve environment; identify source; don't use topical steroids blindly (mask scabies); isolate children; hot soap/sulfur bath then apply scabicide all over twice daily 3-4 days; boil/iron/1-week sun bedding; no unsafe sex; wash hotel sheets.

Department to Visit

It is recommended to visit the Dermatology department; an appointment can be booked on this platform before the visit.

Warm reminder: The above information is for health science reference only and cannot replace professional medical diagnosis. If you have related symptoms, please seek medical attention at a regular hospital promptly.