Scabies

Azfar is infected with Scabies or Kudis Malam or Kudis Buta.

He is now on treatment :
1) Scabies Med
2) Piriton to ease the itchiness
3) Once a day bathing w/ warm water + daun rebusan sirih ... again to reduce itchiness
4) Bedding & Clothing washed in hot water

Really wish there is more that I can do. Pity him, the itchiness is at its worst night time. And during day time he is always drowsy and not so alert due to Piriton.
But at least now, there is no new infected areas. CONTAINED but not 100% cured yet.

My suspicion is that he got infected at his new school. I've yet to speak with the Headmistress, asking her opinion on how to handle this problem. I think I should do it fast. Furthermore he has this sleep-at-school programme this weekend.

Read on to know the devil ...

What is scabies?
Scabies is a contagious skin infection that is caused by a type of mite.

This is the culprit.


Mites are insect-like creatures that burrow, or tunnel, under the outer layer of skin. Mites lay eggs under the skin and feed themselves on the blood from their victims.

This is how it looks on your skin.

Mites are about the size of a dot at the end of a sentence and usually cannot be seen. They are grayish in color and nearly transparent.

What are the symptoms?

Involved skin becomes itchy, irritated, warm, reddened and blistered.
Itching is usually worse at night.

The skin irritation is more likely to be seen in the following locations:

a) between the fingers and toes;

b) around the wrist or navel;

c) in the folds of the elbow, armpit, belt-line, abdomen, groin;

d) in the genital area.

Favorite spots.

Small children or babies may have involvement of the face, scalp, palms of the hands, or soles of the feet.
Itching and rash may not become apparent until as long as 6 weeks after becoming infested. The itching occurs as a result of an allergic reaction to the mites and their waste.
When a person has scabies symptoms, an accurate diagnosis by a medical professional is important in order to ensure appropriate prescription treatment.

How is scabies spread?

Scabies is spread by direct skin-to-skin or close bodily contact.
Even the cleanest person can become infested when there is direct, skin-to-skin contact with a person who has scabies.
Due to the frequency of infestations on the hands, contact with hands, i.e. shaking or holding hands, can spread scabies.
The scabies mite only infests human beings. It survives no more than a three to four days away from the human body. Pets do not carry the mites that cause scabies in humans.

How is scabies diagnosed?

Diagnosis of scabies occurs by close examination of the skin, including finding and recognizing the mite in a small skin scraping and recognizing the mite burrows.



What are the steps for eliminating scabies mites?

Treatment consists of applying an insecticidal creme or lotion and cleaning the infected person’s recently used clothing and bedding.
All household members and intimate contacts should also be treated at the same time as the infected person. Intimate contacts are persons who have had prolonged skin-to-skin contact with someone who has scabies. Treating everyone at the same time prevents re-infestation with scabies from other persons who might be infected but not have symptoms yet.
Obtain the prescription treatment creme or lotion from a health care provider.

CAUTION!
Always follow the directions provided with your scabies treatment.
Never use the treatment more often than recommended. Some insecticide treatments can be dangerous when too much is used.
Wash and dry all bedding, clothing, and towels used by the infected person within the four days before the treatment was started. Use hot water and the high heat setting on the dryer.
Items that cannot be washed and dried can be placed in a sealed plastic bag and stored for a minimum of seven days to allow time for the mites and eggs to die.
Vacuum furniture and bedding. There is no need to use pesticides or insecticide sprays to control scabies on household objects or in the environment.

Scabie mite lifecycle

Fact Sheet from : http://www.metrokc.gov/health/prevcont/scabies.htm
Graphics from : http://www.dexoprin.com/