For several months, reports of scabies have been increasingly frequent in communities. Update on the symptoms and treatments of this skin disease.
- Cases of scabies have been identified in a high school in Hérault, a college in Ariège as well as a nursing home in Cher.
- Scabies is a skin disease caused by sarcoptes, a tiny parasite from the mite family.
- Itching is the main symptom of scabies.
A high school in Hérault, a college in Ariège, a nursing home in Cher… In recent months, several cases of scabies have been reported in different community places. Very contagious, this skin disease can affect all types of people, regardless of their age, lifestyle or social environment.
Scabies is caused by a sarcoptus, a tiny parasite from the mite family, which enters the epidemic to reproduce there. As explained Ameli Healththe Health Insurance platform, this pathology evolves in “small epidemics” in communities. Thus, episodes of scabies are regularly reported to health authorities. “Like,lice, cases of scabies are considered benign parasitic dermatoses (…) There is no robust data to confirm that scabies is on the increase.explained Professor Olivier Chosidow, dermatologist at the Pitié-Salpêtrière hospital (Paris), at BFMTV. On the other hand, the specialist mentioned the existence of “converging data”, which could suggest an increase in cases of scabies, such as the increase in medication prescriptions.
How to recognize scabies?
The main symptoms of scabies are itching. This is an immunological reaction to the sarcoptus and its droppings. In the case of common scabies, this itching is mainly localized:
- between the fingers of the hand;
- at the front of the cuffs;
- on the elbow creases and forearms;
- at the level of the navel;
- inside the thighs;
- at the level of the genitals;
- on the buttocks.
In the context of common scabies, the back, neck and face are not affected by the itching. However, they extend to the entire body if the person has profuse or hyperkeratotic scabies. “The fact that several people around the patient are scratching is suggestive of scabies with collective contamination. This intense itching causes lesions on the skin called scratching lesions. Skin lesions from scratching are streaked or may resemble scratch lesions.eczema (redness, scabs)”specified Health Insurance.
More rarely, we can spot lesions induced by the parasite such as sinuous furrows, which are dug by the sarcoptus and often identified between the fingers, the inside of the wrists, the breasts or the penis. Vesicles can also be located at the end of a furrow. Purplish nodules may also be present in the armpits, buttocks or genitals.
Scabies: what are the treatments?
Once the diagnosis of common scabies has been made, treatment is based on the application of an antiparasitic emulsion or cream. Those around the patient are treated at the same time, to prevent the risk of transmission.
Concerning profuse scabies, oral treatment combined with the application of a scabicidal product to the skin is indicated. “This form of scabies being very contagious, isolation or hospitalization in a single room can also be useful. Disinfection of the patient’s environment with scabicidal products is essential,” highlighted health insurance.
