2023-09-18 04:00:38
local
Written by: Xu Yun Photography: Zhong Hanping
Scabies is a skin disease caused by scabies mites. Some people mistakenly believe that they will become infected if they do not clean their clothes during seasonal changes. In fact, scabies mites are parasites and are highly contagious. Once they burrow into human skin, they will live and reproduce. , which is different from the dust mites we come into contact with daily. Huang Yini, a clinical microbiology and infectious disease doctor, teaches everyone the difference between scabies and ordinary skin sores.
Guest host: Tan Shuying
If I wear unwashed clothes during the change of seasons, am I more likely to get scabies?
Many people think that scabies is a personal cleanliness problem. In fact, scabies is a skin infectious disease caused by parasites called scabies mites. This parasite lives on human skin and has nothing to do with whether the clothes are clean.
What should I do if I am worried regarding scabies mites on my clothes?
Under normal circumstances, scabies mites can only survive in ordinary environments for two to three days following leaving human skin. Therefore, washing the clothes worn by patients with water at a temperature of 60 degrees for ten minutes can eliminate scabies mites. If it is not convenient to wash Items or shoes can be reused following being placed in a sealed plastic bag for seven days. Since scabies mites are human parasites, they have no chance to survive without a suitable environment.
The host Yingying mistakenly believed that improper handling of clothes during the change of seasons would lead to skin sensitivity and scabies.
What is the difference between scabies and ordinary skin sores?
The main symptom of skin problems such as eczema or ringworm is itching. Although infection with scabies mites also causes itching, the condition will be very serious, especially at night or following bathing. If infected for the first time, the incubation period is regarding two to six weeks. For those who have been infected, symptoms will appear within one to four days. If you are infected, even if you do not show symptoms, you still have a chance to spread it to others.
Infections are commonly found in the finger spaces, wrists, and armpits. Women may be infected on the nipples, lower abdomen, and external reproductive organs. Men may be infected on the genitals, buttocks, and shoulder blades. Adults with normal immune systems are rarely infected above the head. Children or the elderly with weak immunity, the head and face above the neck, may be infected.
Scabies appearing between fingers may be mistaken for eczema
How does the skin react following being infected by scabies mites?
When scabies mites burrow into the skin, sometimes there will be linear traces of the mites passing through, and blisters may appear. Another obvious feature is that because scabies mites are highly contagious, members of the family may be infected, and others Family members will develop symptoms one by one. If this happens, there is reason to suspect that it is not a common skin problem.
Under what circumstances are you susceptible to infection?
Since scabies is an infectious disease, once it comes into contact with the patient’s skin, you will be directly infected. The clothes or bedding used by the patient may contain scabies mites or eggs. If they are not disinfected, you can also be infected by accidentally touching them. Some In institutions, nurseries or hospitals with relatively crowded environments, outbreaks can occur once infection occurs.
Scabies mites live in the human body and begin to multiply once they enter the skin.
Are scabies mites actually related to dust mites?
The two kinds of mites are not directly related. Scabies mites are contagious. If you take dander from the patient’s skin for testing, you will see it clearly under a microscope. Mites are arthropods and are not contagious. They are only 0.5 mm and are very tiny. They are basically visible to the naked eye. If not, it will only cause allergic reactions on the skin or make the skin prone to eczema.
How to prevent scabies mites in home life?
The most important thing is to avoid contact with patients, pay attention to whether there is infection before visiting the institution, and seek medical advice as soon as possible if you are infected.
If scabies infection is suspected, can I apply anti-scabies cream?
Ordinary anti-marking ointments on the market have no therapeutic effect on scabies mites. A doctor needs to prescribe anti-scabies medicine and a course of four to six weeks of treatment. In some cases, if the skin is still itchy following six weeks of treatment, a further course of anti-scabies treatment is required.
Doctor profile
Huang Yini – Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, University of Hong Kong, Fellow of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine (Pathology), Fellow of the Hong Kong Pathology Institute, Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists, Diploma in Internal Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Postgraduate Studies in Practical Dermatology, Cardiff University diploma.
1695016269
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