GeneHealth - Your precision medicine

Scabies

Disease Details

Family Health Simplified

Buy Membership

Description: Scabies is a highly contagious skin infestation caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei, leading to intense itching and a pimple-like rash.
Type: Scabies is a contagious skin infestation caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei. It is not a genetically transmitted condition; rather, it spreads through close physical contact with an infested person or through contact with contaminated items such as bedding or clothing.
Signs And Symptoms: The characteristic symptoms of a scabies infection include intense itching and superficial burrows. Because the host develops the symptoms as a reaction to the mites' presence over time, typically a delay of four to six weeks occurs between the onset of infestation and the onset of itching. Similarly, symptoms often persist for one to several weeks after successful eradication of the mites. As noted, those re-exposed to scabies after successful treatment may exhibit symptoms of the new infestation in a much shorter period—as little as one to four days.
Prognosis: Scabies, caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite, typically has an excellent prognosis with appropriate treatment. Medications such as permethrin cream or oral ivermectin can effectively eradicate the mites. Symptoms, including itching and rash, usually resolve within a few weeks of starting treatment, though itching might persist for some time due to allergic reactions to dead mites. It's essential to treat close contacts and thoroughly clean the living environment to prevent reinfestation. Complications are rare but can include secondary bacterial infections from intense scratching.
Onset: Scabies typically manifests symptoms within 2 to 6 weeks after the initial infestation for individuals who have never been exposed to the mites before. For those who have had scabies previously, symptoms can appear as soon as 1 to 4 days after exposure. Onset generally includes intense itching and a pimple-like skin rash.
Prevalence: Scabies is a common skin condition caused by the infestation of the human itch mite (Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis). It affects people worldwide, with an estimated prevalence ranging from 0.2% to 71% depending on the population studied and geographic location. Higher prevalence rates are often observed in resource-poor settings, crowded living conditions, and among children and elderly individuals. Epidemics can occur in institutional settings like nursing homes and schools.
Epidemiology: Scabies is one of the three most common skin disorders in children, along with tinea and pyoderma. As of 2010, it affects about 100 million people (1.5% of the population) and its frequency is not related to gender. The mites are distributed around the world and equally infect all ages, races, and socioeconomic classes in different climates. Scabies is more often seen in crowded areas with unhygienic living conditions. Globally as of 2009, an estimated 300 million cases of scabies occur each year, although various parties claim the figure is either over- or underestimated. About 1–10% of the global population is estimated to be infected with scabies, but in certain populations, the infection rate may be as high as 50–80%.
Intractability: Scabies is not considered intractable. It can be effectively treated with prescription medications such as topical permethrin cream or oral ivermectin. Proper treatment and hygiene measures typically resolve the infestation.
Disease Severity: Scabies is an infestation of the skin caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite. While it is not typically considered life-threatening, it can cause significant discomfort and complications if left untreated.

### Disease Severity
Scabies can range from mild to severe based on the level of infestation and the individual's immune response. Typical symptoms include intense itching, especially at night, and a pimple-like rash. In severe cases, particularly in individuals with compromised immune systems, a form called crusted (Norwegian) scabies can develop, with thick crusts of skin containing large numbers of mites.

### Nan
N/A (Not applicable) - It appears there is no specific context or question provided for "nan."

For effective treatment, medical consultation is advised to obtain appropriate topical or oral medications.
Healthcare Professionals: Disease Ontology ID - DOID:8295
Pathophysiology: The symptoms are caused by an allergic reaction of the host's body to mite proteins, though exactly which proteins remains a topic of study. The mite proteins are also present from the gut, in mite feces, which are deposited under the skin. The allergic reaction is both of the delayed (cell-mediated) and immediate (antibody-mediated) type, and involves IgE (antibodies are presumed to mediate the very rapid symptoms on reinfection). The allergy-type symptoms (itching) continue for some days, and even several weeks, after all mites are killed. New lesions may appear for a few days after mites are eradicated. Nodular lesions from scabies may continue to be symptomatic for weeks after the mites have been killed.Rates of scabies are negatively related to temperature and positively related to humidity.
Carrier Status: Carrier status: Scabies is caused by the mite *Sarcoptes scabiei* and is transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact. Individuals with scabies are considered carriers as long as they have mites on their skin. Treatment with prescribed medications is effective in eliminating the mites.

Nan: Scabies does not involve a genetic component; it is an infectious condition caused by mite infestation. Therefore, there is no relevance of nan (nucleic acid nanotechnology) in the context of scabies.
Mechanism: Scabies is a contagious skin condition caused by the infestation of the skin by the human itch mite, Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis. The mechanism involves the female mites burrowing into the upper layer of the skin where they live and lay eggs. This burrowing and the subsequent life cycle of the mites trigger an intense allergic reaction and itching.

At the molecular level, the symptoms of scabies are primarily due to the body’s immune response to various antigens from the mites, their eggs, and their feces. The immune system recognizes these foreign proteins as threats and mounts an inflammatory response. Specific molecular mechanisms include the activation of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) that recognize mite components, leading to the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-alpha. This recruitment of immune cells to the site of infestation causes the characteristic erythema and pruritus associated with scabies. Additionally, the scratching induced by intense itching can lead to secondary bacterial infections, further complicating the condition.
Treatment: Several medications are effective in treating scabies. Treatment should involve the entire household, and any others who have had recent, prolonged contact with the infested individual. In addition to treating the infestation, options to control itchiness include antihistamines and prescription anti-inflammatory agents. Bedding, clothing and towels used during the previous three days should be washed in hot water and dried in a hot dryer.Treatment protocols for crusted scabies are significantly more intense than for common scabies.
Compassionate Use Treatment: Compassionate use treatment and off-label or experimental treatments for scabies include:

1. **Ivermectin (oral)**: Although primarily approved for other parasitic infections, oral ivermectin is often used off-label to treat scabies, especially in cases that are resistant to topical treatments or in immunocompromised patients.

2. **Permethrin (oral)**: While topical permethrin is the standard treatment, oral forms have been experimented with, although this is not a common practice.

3. **Benzyl benzoate (topical)**: Used off-label in some regions either as a primary treatment or in combination with other medications to enhance efficacy.

4. **Crotamiton (topical)**: Available as an off-label option and sometimes used when patients have reactions to more standard treatments like permethrin or ivermectin.

5. **Tea tree oil (topical)**: This natural remedy has been studied for its acaricidal properties and used experimentally for scabies management, though more research is needed to confirm its efficacy and safety.

6. **Sulfur ointments (topical)**: These are sometimes used off-label, especially in infants and pregnant women where other treatments might not be suitable.

7. **Moxidectin (oral)**: An experimental drug similar to ivermectin, showing promise in clinical trials but not yet widely approved for scabies treatment.

These treatments should be considered under medical supervision, especially given the potential for variability in efficacy and side effects.
Lifestyle Recommendations: ### Lifestyle Recommendations for Scabies

1. **Maintain Personal Hygiene:**
- Regularly bathe or shower to keep your skin clean.
- Change and wash bed linens, towels, and clothing frequently in hot water and dry on high heat.

2. **Avoid Close Contact:**
- Minimize direct skin-to-skin contact with infected individuals.
- Avoid sharing personal items such as clothes, bedding, and towels.

3. **Treatment Adherence:**
- Follow prescribed medication regimens carefully.
- Ensure that all household members and close contacts are treated simultaneously to prevent reinfestation.

4. **Clean Living Environment:**
- Vacuum carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture to remove mites.
- Clean and disinfect commonly used surfaces.

5. **Itch Management:**
- Use anti-itch creams or oral antihistamines as recommended to alleviate itching.
- Keep fingernails trimmed and wear gloves at night to prevent scratching, which can lead to secondary infections.

6. **Seek Medical Advice:**
- Consult with a healthcare provider for appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
- Follow-up consultations to ensure complete eradication of the infestation.
Medication: The primary medication for treating scabies is permethrin cream, typically at 5% concentration. It's applied to the entire body from the neck down and left on for 8 to 14 hours before being washed off. Alternative treatments may include oral ivermectin or other topical medications like crotamiton or lindane. Always consult a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Repurposable Drugs: For scabies, some repurposable drugs include:

1. **Ivermectin**: Originally used for parasitic infections, it's increasingly used off-label for scabies, especially in cases resistant to standard treatments.
2. **Permethrin**: A topical cream primarily used for lice, it is a first-line treatment for scabies.
3. **Benzyl benzoate**: Initially used for lice, this can also be effective against scabies.

Note that the selection and administration of these drugs should be under the supervision of a healthcare provider.
Metabolites: In scabies, the infestation is caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite, and the disease primarily manifests through intense itching and a pimple-like rash. The metabolic activity of the mites and their secretions does not produce specific metabolites that are typically measured in clinical practice. The diagnosis is generally made based on clinical symptoms and, if needed, microscopic examination of skin scrapings to identify mites, eggs, or fecal pellets (scybala).
Nutraceuticals: There is limited evidence supporting the use of nutraceuticals in the treatment of scabies. The primary and most effective treatments involve topical scabicides such as permethrin cream or oral ivermectin. Preventing reinfestation through thorough cleaning of clothing, bedding, and the environment is also crucial. If you are considering alternative treatments like nutraceuticals, consult a healthcare professional.
Peptides: For scabies, the disease is caused by the mite *Sarcoptes scabiei*. There are no widely established treatments involving peptides, nanotechnology, or nanoparticles directly for scabies. Traditional treatments primarily include topical scabicides like permethrin cream or oral medications such as ivermectin. Peptides and nanotechnology-based treatments are areas of active research in various fields of medicine, but as of now, they are not standard treatments for scabies.