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

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