Types of Scabies
January 14, 2010
You may often feel an urge for itching at unexpected times. While the reason for the itchiness may be varied and many, infestation by the infecting agent sarcoptes scabei may be the cause as well. These tiny microscopic insects burrow deep into our skin resulting in discomfort and irritation to the skin which is characterized by an intense itchy sensation.Spread of Infection- A scabies mite can only survive for a period of 24-36 hours within the body of a host. Close contact with an infected person may result in the transmission of the mite. However, sharing clothes or the same furniture does not pose any appreciable risk of catching the disease.
Shaking hands or eating together is not considered to be an adequate risk of catching the infection. Sexual contact is the commonest way of transmission of scabies. The other forms of close physical contact like hugging closely cannot be ruled out completely as a potential risk for scabies. Close relatives or members of the same family often end up infecting each other if they live in close proximity for quite some time.
Infection from Animals- The scabies or mites spreading the infection in domesticated dogs or cats are of a completely different type. The mange on dogs is a typical form of scabies infection. These mites are unable to infect human being and may only cause a mild itching which subsides rather quickly. The human scabies on the other hand worsens with time and does not heal on its own.
Norwegian scabies- This type of scabies is an unusually severe form of scabies known also as crusted scabies. The name Norwegian has stuck as the strain was first discovered in Norway way back in the 19th century.
Garden Variety Scabies- There is extensive blistering when one is infected by this kind of scabies. The spaces between the fingers, wrists, knees or groin often breaks out in bumps or pimples when infected by the garden variety scabies.
However, not all bumps and blisters on the skin is the result of the presence of tiny micro organisms and the disfigured skin normally contains a maximum of 10 to 15 mites of Sarcoptes scabiei even when the skin is practically covered with blisters and bumps.
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