SCABIES
Description
- Scabies is a parasitic skin infestation caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis (S. scabiei) mite, which is primarily transmitted via close personal contact, but may be transmitted through clothing or towels
- The female scabies mite burrows into the stratum corneum, causing severe pruritus, particularly at night. Primary lesions commonly include erythematous papules, vesicles, or burrows
Etiology
- Causative agent: Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis
- Highly contagious, typically via direct physical (skin-to-skin or sexual) contact and rarely indirect transmission (e.g., sharing textiles such as bedding, towels, or clothes)
Types
- The classic symptom is intense pruritis especially at night
- The sites of predilection are the interdigital spaces, wrists, points of elbow, antecubital fossae, anterior axillary folds , umbilicus and the genitalia especially the gluteal cleft
- The most diagnostic or pathognomic finding is an intact S shaped or linear burrow with a papule or vesicle at its end housing the mite. Most common sites are web spaces of the hands, wrists, and lateral aspects of palms
- Generalized urticarial papules , excoriations and eczematous changes are secondary lesions caused by sensitization to the mite
- Tiny scaly papules on the nipple and male genitalia (glans, shaft, and scrotum) are pathognomonic of scabies
Nodular scabies: Itching nodules 5-20 mm diameter, red, pink, tan or brown in colour persist for several months. Commonly found in the scrotum
Scabies incognito : modifies clinical picture of classical scabies which mimic other dermatoses due to inappropriate use of topical steroids
Investigation
- Typical history and skin lesions on clinical examination
- Detection of mites, larvae, ova, or mite faeces
- Dermoscopy : mite in burrow resembles jet with contrail
- Microscopic examination of the skin
- Skin scraping and histology
Treatments
Internal medicines
- Nirgundyadi kashaya
- Aragwadhadi kashaya
- Krimighna vati
- Vilwadi gutika
- Amrutarishtam + Punarnavasavam
Procedures
- Sulphur containing ointments
- Pamantaka taila – ext application
- Gandhaka taila – ext application
- Guggulu marichadi taila – ext application
- Ayyapala taila – ext application
- Neeli taila – ext application
- Nimba twak + triphala kshalana
Department
Agada Tantra
Turn your phone into a full-featured Ayurveda clinic
Reference library, prescription studio, classical texts and everyday productivity tools — all in one app. Try Bhishak with a trial subscription; unlock the full experience once you’re in.
Get it on Google Play