How contagious is scabies?
introduction
For scabies (medical scabies) it is a contagious skin disease with severe itching. It is triggered by a special type of mite and its excretions.
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In spite of the unpleasant symptoms, the disease does not usually pose a health risk. For treatment, effective drugs are available for use on the skin in the form of creams, sprays, ointments and tablets.
Read more on the topic: Itchy Rash - What Disease Is It?
How contagious is scabies?
To be infected with scabies is a longer one Body contact with a person suffering from scabies, that is, for at least five to ten minutes. A brief touch, such as shaking hands or a hug, does not usually lead to the transmission of the pathogenic Mites.
The pathogens can also take the air not transferred become.Likewise, you usually do not get infected through objects or furniture that someone with scabies has come into contact with.
The highly contagious special form is an exception Bark scabies The sick mostly have because of one weakened immune system a very pronounced disease infestation with crust formation on the skin. Due to the very high number of pathogens, even brief skin contact can lead to infection in this case. Since the first signs of the disease do not appear until after two to five weeks, a doctor should be consulted early in this case after skin contact.
How long are you contagious?
Scabies is contagious as long as itch mites are on the skin. Will the scabies with those available Medication (So-called. Scabicides), these are usually killed after only one or two applications and there is no longer any risk of infection. The itching can still persist for up to two weeks.
Untreated In a healthy immune system, the number of itch mites can decrease, but these are rarely completely warded off. More often, some mites remain on the skin and one is still contagiouseven if one no longer experiences symptoms such as itching.
What is the route of infection?
The scabies are transferred from human to human. This usually requires longer physical contact, for example through sleeping together in one bed, Cuddling or Sexual intercourse. Briefly touching it, like shaking hands, usually does not lead to infection. Likewise, there is usually no infection via objects or furniture with which a sick person has been in contact.
In order to become infected with scabies, the disease-causing mites have to get on their own skin. Mites that are in mattresses cannot cause scabies because they are different types. Transmission by animals is possible, but it is a matter of other types of mites that do not survive long on human skin and therefore only cause mild symptoms and not classic scabies. In such a case, the disease heals quickly and further spread is not to be feared.
How can I prevent infection?
In order to prevent or prevent infection with scabies everyone should closer contact with people infected with scabies avoided become.
Children should not play with other sick children until the condition is resolved. Even if objects and furniture usually do not pose a risk of infection, they should be safe cleaned when a sick person was in contact with them. If, for example, contact cannot be avoided when caring for sick children or people in need of care, you should do so Disposable gloves and long-sleeved clothing wear.
Should you still notice signs of illness, you should consult a doctor immediately.
Symptoms of Contagion
The main symptoms of scabies are severe itching and burning sensation. These can only appear a few weeks after infection and are in some cases less pronounced. The itching is often particularly agonizing when the bed is warm. Typically, the spaces between fingers and toes, wrists, armpits, elbows, nipples and genitals are affected. Infestation of the scalp, face and palms and feet is also possible in babies and toddlers. Pin-sized reddish vesicles may appear on the skin.
If necessary, fine irregular lines and dark lines up to one centimeter long can be found. These are caused by the passages that the tiny mites eat into the skin. Scratching can inflame the skin and form pus. In addition, some people develop a widespread rash due to an immune system reaction. Since severe itching can often occur with other skin diseases such as neurodermatitis or psoriasis, a doctor should be consulted so that he can initiate the correct treatment.
