Scabies - Scabies

Japanese: 疥癬 - かいせん（英語表記）Scabies

What is the disease?

Scabies is caused by the mites Sarcoptes scabiei ( Scabies mites ( During the survey ) ) is an infectious disease caused by parasitic mites that live in the stratum corneum on the surface of the skin.

Since the virus is transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact, in the past most infections were sexually transmitted. However, in recent years, the virus has spread through caregiving for the elderly, and can become a problem as it can spread within facilities or within families.

What is the cause?

Scabies mites are small mites with a body length of 0.2 to 0.4 mm (Figure 90), and are barely visible to the naked eye. Female adults burrow into the stratum corneum of the skin and create tunnels (scabies tunnels) several mm long, in which they lay eggs. The eggs are hatching ( Deep ) The worms then go through the larval and nymph stages and become adults in about two weeks, and males and females mate on the skin. The adult worms die shortly after leaving the human skin, but if you use bedding used by a scabies patient within a day, you may become infected.

How symptoms manifest

After a symptom-free period of 1 to 2 months after being infested with scabies mites, Armpit ( Armpit ) Bumps appear around the abdomen, genitals, etc. It is characterized by strong itching, especially at night. Thin, grayish-white, linear lesions about a few millimeters long called scabies tunnels are formed on the wrists and between the fingers. Skin rash ( Disappointment ) can be seen.

People with weakened immune systems may develop severe crusted scabies, in which the whole body turns red and the skin becomes rough and thickly scabbed. In the case of crusted scabies, there are a large number of mites on the skin, so even if the skin does not come into contact with the mites, the peeled scabs can fly off and cause infection, which can lead to mass outbreaks, so care must be taken.

Testing and diagnosis

The diagnosis is confirmed when a dermatologist examines the area using a microscope or magnifying glass and finds the mites or their eggs.

Treatment methods

Apply topical sulfur or sulfur salicylic acid thianthol ointment to the whole body and wash it off after 24 hours for 5 days. Another method is to apply crotamiton ointment (Eurax) to the whole body for 1 to 2 weeks.

In cases where treatment with topical medications is insufficient or in cases of crusted scabies, oral ivermectin is used in combination.

What to do if you notice an illness

Do not self-treat with over-the-counter medications, but visit a dermatologist for treatment. It is also important to check with your family or coworkers to see if they are experiencing the same symptoms to prevent the spread of infection.

Yu Natsuaki

Figure 90. Scabies mite
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Figure 90. Scabies mite

Scabies
Scabies
(Women's diseases, pregnancy and childbirth)

What is the disease?

Human Scabies mites ( During the survey ) It is an infectious disease caused by scabies mites that infest the stratum corneum of the skin, and it develops in soft areas of the skin such as the vulva, the lower abdomen, under the breasts, and between the fingers. Scabies mites dig tunnels in the stratum corneum and lay eggs. Infection occurs through bedding, and it is not uncommon for the disease to develop in groups.

How symptoms manifest

Red to dark red nodules ( Papule ( Emergency ) ) occurs frequently, causing intense itching. This often leads to scratching, which can lead to secondary bacterial infections.

Testing and diagnosis

In addition to the above symptoms, the appearance of scabies burrows, which are raised keratin over a few millimeters, can also be used as a guide for diagnosis. Small blisters ( Water supply method ) If a sample is taken and eggs or worms are found under a microscope, the diagnosis can be made. The occurrence of infection in groups is also an indication for diagnosis.

Treatment methods

Topical medications are effective. Crotamiton ointment (Eurax ointment), salicylanthol sulfate ointment (Astol ointment), and spraying the pesticide fenothrin preparation (Sumithrin powder) are also effective. sulfur ( Iou ) Bathing with a deodorant is effective.

Source: Houken “Sixth Edition Family Medicine Encyclopedia” Information about the Sixth Edition Family Medicine Encyclopedia

Japanese:

どんな病気か

　疥癬は、ヒゼンダニ（疥癬虫(かいせんちゅう)）と呼ばれるダニが皮膚表面の角質層に寄生して起こる感染症です。

　肌と肌が直接触れることで感染するため、これまでは性行為に伴う感染が多かったのですが、近年は高齢者の介護行為などを介して感染し、施設内や家族内で流行することがあるので問題になっています。

原因は何か

　ヒゼンダニは体長0.2～0.4㎜の小さなダニ（図90）で、肉眼ではほとんど確認できません。雌成虫は皮膚の角質層内に潜り込んで長さ数㎜～程度の坑道（疥癬トンネル）をつくり、そのなかで産卵します。卵は孵化(ふか)して幼虫、若虫をへて約2週間で成虫になり、雄・雌は皮膚で交尾します。成虫は人肌を離れると短時間で死滅しますが、疥癬患者の使用した寝具類を1日以内に使うと感染する可能性があります。