Anti Aging Skin Care » Skin Infections » Parasitic Skin Infections

Parasitic Skin Infections

1. Scabies
   Scabies is caused by the infestation of mites (tiny insects). Symptoms of scabies include small pimples or red bumps, rash, intense itching and scaly or crusty skin. Although symptoms of scabies may have other skin conditions.

   Scabies are contagious infection, pass from one person to other. It is highly contagious as it spreads by sleeping together in the same bed, or during close, personal contact. It takes 2 to 6 weeks to develop the symptoms scabies after coming in contact with an infected person. Scabies occurs often in children and young adults, but can affect people of all ages.

   The lesions appears on the head, neck, palms, and soles in children below 2 years. While it appears on the hands, between the fingers, wrists, belt line, thighs, belly button, in the groin area, around the breasts, and in the armpits in older children and adults.

   While diagnosing the scabies, your doctor examines your skin and skin crevices. Also to confirm the presence of mites, a sample of skin, obtained by scraping the skin, may be examined under a microscope.

   Treatment of scabies is determined by considering the facts like your age, extent of the infestation, overall health etc. Usually all members in a family are treated at the same time. It includes the prescription creams and lotions (such as permethrin and lindane solutions), oral antihistamine medication helps to relieve itching, sometimes topical ointments are recommended.

2. Lice
   Lice infection is caused by the infestation of lice (tiny insects). It causes a intense itching. Lice infection is highly contagious, pass by one person to other by close body contact, or by sharing clothes, hats, hairbrushes, and combs. There are three types of human lice as follows:
   • Head lice: Head lice occurs often in childcare settings and among school-aged children. Its symptoms include itching in the head. Lice, or the eggs usually appear on the hair, behind the ears, and on the neck. It is less likely to occur in African-Americans.
   • Body lice: The symptoms of body lice include severe itching, which is often worse at night. Sometimes lice and eggs can be found in the seams of clothes. Body lice usually occur in people with poor hygiene, while it is rare in children.
   • Pubic lice: The symptom of public lice include the itching of the affected area. Pubic lice affects the pubic hair, also can cause infections of the hair on the eyebrows, chest, abdomen, and thighs. Pubic lice are highly contagious and can be transmitted through sexual contact, or by sharing items such as towels and clothes.
   Diagnosis of lice is very easy as the eggs laid by lice are usually visible to the eyes, while pubic lice leave small, brown spots on the parts of clothing that come into contact with the genitals.

   Treatment for lice depends on the factors such as your age, overall health, extent of the infestation etc.

   • Head Lice and Pubic Lice: Treatment for head lice and pubic lice includes a medicated cream rinse or shampoo (such as permethrin or Nix® cream rinse, lindane, Kwell® shampoo, pyrethrins or RID® gel). The instructions need to be followed. The lice eggs need to be removed from the hair with a fine-tooth comb, while the combs and brushes should be soaked in hot water with the shampoo for period of at least 15 minutes.
   • Body Lice: Usually medications are not needed to treat body lice. It usually consists of improving hygiene and washing clothes. Blankets and bed sheets should be washed in hot water and dried in a hot dryer.

3. Creeping Eruption
   Hookworms cause creeping eruption, which is found on dogs and cats. The infection spreads through skin contact with the eggs found in dog and cat feces on the ground. The symptom of creeping eruption include severe itching and winding rash. It generally appears on the feet, legs, buttocks, or back.

   Treatment for creeping eruptions includes liquid thiabendazole and other topical treatments.