WHAT CAUSES SCABIES
Scabies is a scratchy infectious skin disease caused by an infestation of the mite called Sarcoptes scabiei; acquired by skin-to-skin contact with a person with scabies. This mite is a tiny eight-legged parasite (Unlike six-legged insects). They are small and can be seen only under a microscope lens, the length of the females is only 1/3 mm, the males are only about half this size, their task is to mate only; unlike females who dig under the skin to lay eggs causing intense itching which tends to be worse at night; briefly this what causes scabies, keep reading to find out more.
HOW DO YOU GET SCABIES IN THE FIRST PLACE?
You can get scabies by direct skin to skin contact with a person who has it already; handshaking or hugs a person with scabies can give the mite the opportunity to travel to the new host, But prolonged contact is the main and confirmed cause of scabies infestation; This can take place during sex, especially when your bodies are touching or close to each other for a long time (like sleeping in a bed together).
IS SCABIES AN STD?
Most adults get infected with scabies through sex (however, sex itself does not transmit infection, but direct contact with the skin of the sexual partner is what causes scabies); still, it can spread in other ways, you can find most of them on our website in detail. Scabies is most common in places that are crowded (like nursing homes, prison, and childcare places). You may get scabies through sharing clothes, towels, and bed with an infected person.
IS SCABIES CAUSED BY BEING DIRTY?
Scabies is not caused by being dirty or by poor hygiene; and if someone has it, it doesn’t mean that his careless or sexually promiscuous (These are reactionary ideas from the Middle Ages); the main cause of this parasite infestation is the direct skin to skin contact with a person who has it already; that’s where scabies come from in the first place, very rarely from objects such as clothing or biding or something else…
WHO CAN GET SCABIES?
Scabies can have an effect on anyone of any age or race, whatever their living situation and socioeconomic status; there are 300 million cases of infestation by scabies every year in the whole world. It usually spreads in public institutions such as prisons, schools, hospitals, and nursing homes; in developed countries such as the United States, Canada, and England, scabies is widespread among homeless people.
CAN I GET SCABIES FROM DOGS?
Dogs do not spread scabies to humans; The dog mites (mange) dies after a few days on human skin, but it may cause severe itching… Dogs have different mites that attack their skin, but none of them can survive on human skin. To learn more about scabies on dogs click here.
CAN SCABIES FLY OR JUMP?
The scabies mite crawls but can’t jump or fly. They are immobile at a temperature below 20C, although they survive for long periods at this temperature. But, can’t live away from a host for more than 72 hours.
CAN I GET SCABIES FROM THE HOTEL?
Yes, of course, you can get scabies in a hotel or hostel, because scabies can live up to 72 hours away from a host, and can live in carpets and furniture bidding, blankets and mattresses used before you, by an already infected person. Despite that, do not rush to judgment because it can be bed bugs or head lice or some other parasites.
WILL SCABIES GO AWAY ON ITS OWN?
No, scabies will not go on its own if left untreated; It can only be treated with prescription drugs that kill the mite. The treatment is usually cream based like permethrin cream, or in some cases; the doctor will prescribe an oral treatment like ivermectin; do not neglect this skin condition if you have doubt that you have it; please Harry up and make an appointment with a doctor to diagnose your condition, and start the treatment as soon as possible.
