Weather changes can trigger a range of skin problems, including dryness, acne, and rashes. Most of these resolve with minimal care. However, if you notice small, red, itchy bumps on your skin during summer, don’t ignore them. These may be signs of Scabies, a serious and highly contagious skin disease that is now spreading rapidly across the country, reaching epidemic levels in some areas.
What is Scabies?
Scabies is a skin condition triggered by an infestation of the tiny mite Sarcoptes scabiei. Its primary symptom is intense itching, especially at night. It spreads easily through skin-to-skin contact or by sharing personal items like clothing, towels, and bedding.
Crowded living conditions and poor hygiene significantly increase the risk of infection. While scabies can occur year-round, cases tend to spike in warmer months.
How Does Scabies Spread?
-Direct contact with an infected person.
-Sharing clothes, towels, or bed linen.
-Living in crowded spaces, such as hostels or slums.
-Poor hygiene, such as infrequent bathing or washing of clothes.
Common Symptoms That Require Medical Attention
-Severe itching, often worse at night.
-Red, pimple-like rashes that may ooze fluid.
-Infection in skin folds — especially between fingers, wrists, elbows, waist, underarms, genitals, buttocks, and around the navel.
-Secondary infections from scratching.
-Different symptoms in children and adults.
How Scabies Affects Children
-Disturbed sleep due to night-time itching.
-Wounds or ulcers caused by constant scratching.
-High risk of transmission within households.
– Diagnosis may be delayed because the symptoms can look like heat rash.
-Serious complications like bacterial infections or kidney problems if untreated.
-Emotional distress from ongoing discomfort and sleeplessness.
Prevention and Treatment
Seek medical help immediately: Consult a dermatologist for diagnosis and follow the prescribed treatment carefully. Avoid self-medicating.
Maintain hygiene:
-Wash clothes, beddings, and towels properly in hot water for 30 minutes.
-Dry items in direct sunlight.
– Ensure the complete cleanness and dryness of skin, after bathing.
-Isolate infected items for at least 72 hours if they can’t be washed.
Treat the whole family:
Everyone in close contact with an infected person should undergo treatment — even if they show no symptoms.
Hand and body hygiene:
-Regular handwashing, especially after returning home, helps prevent reinfection.
-Consult specialists:
-Children should be treated under a pediatrician’s guidance.
-Pregnant women should consult a gynecologist before using any medication.
Clean your home:
-Regularly wash and disinfect bedsheets, curtains, and frequently used items.
-Avoid known allergens during treatment.
-Support recovery with nutrition:
-A balanced diet and plenty of fluids can help boost immunity.
Post-recovery care:
Thoroughly wash and sun-dry all personal items again after treatment to prevent recurrence.
Important:
The scabies mite can remain in the body for 2–3 weeks before symptoms appear. If you’ve been exposed, maintain strict hygiene even in the absence of symptoms.
Stay alert, stay clean, and consult a doctor if you suspect scabies. Early treatment protects not just you — but your whole family.
