Scabies

in Fargo, North Dakota

Scabies is one skin condition that can affect virtually anyone, causing extreme itchiness and discomfort. If you’ve ever experienced it, you know how valuable a board-certified dermatologist can be in easing symptoms and providing helpful care. Fortunately, Dr. Ness can help.

What is Scabies?

This condition, called scabies, is the result of a tiny mite that burrows under the surface of the skin to feed and lay eggs. This causes an extremely uncomfortable reaction indicated by itchiness and the appearance of a rash. Although it’s not life-threatening on its own, it can become severe due to constant itching that causes the skin to break and become infected. For this reason and others, it’s important to see a dermatologist as soon as you see signs of scabie

What Causes Scabies?

Scabies is spread from skin-to-skin contact and can be highly contagious. Scabies can be a very common occurrence in hospitals, daycares, and elderly-care facilities because of regular contact and an abundance of patients with weakened immune systems. Scabies can also exist on materials that are commonly shared like towels, bedsheets, or furniture. Scabies can be passed on through sexual contact as well.

Everyday contact with other people doesn’t mean you’ll contract scabies, however. Mites must have sufficient time to reach your skin in order for the spread to occur, meaning a regular touch or handshake won’t necessarily cause you to contract it. However, it’s still important to practice good hygiene to prevent scabies from happening.

How is Scabies Treated?

Treatment for scabies is most effective when it takes a well-rounded, aggressive approach. The process begins with a diagnosis from Dr. Ness, who can visualize the affected skin or even take a sample to analyze under a microscope to check for mites or eggs. Then, medications can be prescribed to treat the skin and destroy any existing mites or eggs, as well as alleviate itching or irritation. The medication used can depend on different factors like your age and immune system, but Dr. Ness can determine the right option for you.

Most commonly, the medication is applied to all skin below the neck and left on overnight. It’s then washed off in the morning. Depending on your circumstances and severity of the condition, you may need to do this a few different times. Dr. Ness will make sure you have explicit instructions to follow for treatment.

Aside from this medicated treatment, it’s also important that you alert anyone that you live with or recently came into sexual contact with so that they can be treated as well. This can prevent an outbreak that can affect those around you or even come back to you later on. You should also thoroughly clean your living area and cloth materials since these can harbor existing mites that may have fallen off. If you’re experiencing crusted scabies, you may require stronger medications and a longer treatment period.

Scabies Prevention

The best way to prevent a scabies outbreak is through maintaining a clean living area and practicing good hygiene (and ensuring that your children practice good hygiene, too). However, everyone can get scabies, so it’s important to see Dr. Ness as soon as you believe you may have an outbreak. In order to protect those around you, you should also alert them to the possibility that they may have come into contact with mites. This protects both them and you, as you can still get scabies even after you’ve recovered from an outbreak.

 Treatment Products

• Antihistamines
• Topical Steroids
• 5% Permethrin Cream

Schedule A Consultation

Scabies can be an extremely uncomfortable condition, but it can be quickly and effectively treated with the help of a board-certified dermatologist. If you believe you may have scabies, it’s important to see a professional as soon as possible. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Ness and discuss your treatment options, contact Fargo Dermatology by calling or booking online.