Scabies test

What is scabies?

Scabies is a skin disease and is also called scabies in medical terms. Scabies is caused by the mite Sarcoptes Scabiei – a spider-like creature measuring 0.3 to 0.6 mm in length and width.

The mite digs small channels up to 1.5 cm long just under the stratum corneum of our skin. To do so, the critter uses special spines on its body, and a secretion helps dissolve skin cells. A female mite lays her eggs in the dug channels. When the larvae grow into adult mites, they mate again and in turn lay eggs, perpetuating the cycle.

What does scabies look like in humans?

Typical symptoms are intense (especially nocturnal) itching and bumps on the skin. In fact, the secretion required for digging the canals, combined with the mites’ feces and eggs, causes an inflammatory reaction of the skin. A doctor will always look at specific preferred sites when complaints of itching occur: the sides of the fingers, the inside of the wrists, the inside of the elbows, the armpits and both the ankle and instep of the feet. Very fine lines, often discolored white, can be seen in those areas with the naked eye. A mite itself is not easily visible to a layman with the naked eye and thus not the best way to recognize scabies.

Notable scabies symptoms

Do you recognize the following scabies symptoms? Itching along the fingers, on the inside of the wrists, on the elbows, in the anterior armpit crease or along the navel. If so, it may be advisable to test for mange. Small skin inflammations lead to redness and bumps. As a result of itching, obvious crab lesions may also develop.

What is the cause of scabies or scabies

Scabies is an infectious disease and develops after intensive skin-to-skin contact lasting longer than 15 minutes. In a certain type of scabies, scabies crustosa, the mites can also be transmitted through the air and direct skin contact is not required for infection. Intensive use of each other’s clothing, towels and bedding can also transmit the mite and a scabies test is recommended.

After an infection, it takes an average of two to six weeks for the first scabies symptoms to manifest, this period is called the incubation period. However, the infectious period starts as early as two weeks after contracting the infection.

Scabies treatment

Scabies can be treated both locally (via cream on the skin) and orally (with tablets). However, local treatment produces fewer side effects and is therefore preferred. The doctor may prescribe permethrin cream or benzyl benzoate cream as local scabies treatment. If oral treatment is chosen, ivermectin will usually be prescribed. It is important to repeat the first treatment after one to two weeks. Sexual partners and roommates should also be treated to prevent reinfection. For them, only a one-time scabies treatment applies.

Recognizing and preventing scabies

Recognizing scabies is one thing. How to prevent scabies is equally important to know. A slow increase in the incidence of scabies has been seen since 2018. In 2020, about 250 people per 100,000 population contracted scabies. Scabies outbreaks often occur among certain groups in the population, for example among students and in nursing homes. Avoid skin-to-skin contact with infected persons and get treated yourself if you come in contact with them.

Why scabies testing?

Scabies is not a serious condition, but it is annoying. Scabies symptoms such as itching and scaly skin can be annoying, but there are no serious consequences. Nevertheless, it is obviously desirable not to pass scabies on to others.

The variant scabies crustosa progresses more violently and therefore a referral to a dermatologist is indicated to rule it out after a positive scabies or scabies test result.

What are the benefits of a mange test from Easly?

An Easly mange self-test has many advantages:

• Discreetly packaged
• Easy take-up with clear instructions
• Results within 48 hours of arrival at the lab
• Assessed by a physician, including medical test certificate

Do you have scabies? For more advice, contact our physician

Did you get a positive result on a scabies self-test via Easly? Your personal and secure results page now shows exactly what steps to follow. Do you have any questions after that? It is always possible to request a (anonymous) telephone consultation with one of our physicians.