Night Itching Could Be Scabies – Act Fast to Protect Your Family

Increased sweating, moist skin, and intense itching during hot weather can aggravate the discomfort. Many individuals believe that this itching is an issue of scratching or an insect bite. But if the itching grows day by day, begins depriving you of sleep night after night, and a red rash or rash erupts on the body, then it is no longer an ordinary itch. Indeed, this condition might be a symptom of a contagious type of skin illness known as scabies. And if this disease gets rooted in the body of a person, if not addressed soon enough, it could spread to the whole family.

Scabies is due to a parasite named Sarcoptes scabiei. This small mite can easily burrow beneath human skin and deposit eggs there, resulting in excruciating itchiness on the affected area. One of the features of this itchiness is that it intensifies to an extreme level, particularly at night. Small rashes, red patches or fine lines similar to holes can occur on the affected area. Occasionally this itching may even lead to sores on the skin, particularly if the infected person scratches over and over again. The worst part is that it is extremely contagious. If an infected person shares the same bed, clothes or towels with other family members in a dirty state, they can readily become infected with this infection.

Scabies is typically prevalent in specific areas of the body. These itching symptoms start in between the fingers, folds of the elbow, along the waist line, groin area, around the belly button or breasts. In children, scabies are also able to affect the face, head, hands and feet and even eyes. Therefore, if there is abnormal itching or red rashes on children's bodies in the household, then you must consult a doctor without wasting time.

If this disease does not get treated at the initial stage, it can lead to complicated situations in the later stages. So, it is extremely important to visit a dermatologist the moment symptoms are noticed. 

In general, physicians would prescribe a cream known as Permethrin for scabies, which needs to be applied all over the body at night and washed off in the morning. At times, Ivermectin can also be administered orally, particularly when the infection has reached a vast part of ​​the body. Nevertheless, the administration of all these medications is based on the age, weight, and severity of the infection of the patient. Hence, it's not appropriate to use medicine independently. Doing anything without the doctor's advice will suppress the disease for the time being and make it relapse, even in a worse state.

But treatment alone is not sufficient, since equal importance should be attached to cleanliness and proper habits as to treatment. The towels, bed sheets, and clothes the patient has with him should be washed every day in hot water and sun-dried. It should also be made sure that no other member of the family uses them. The patient must be made to sleep in a different bed and use a different pillow and towel as long as he is on treatment.

Sweating is higher in summer, which makes the skin warm and wet, and this environment is most suitable for scabies germs. This period is thus especially dangerous. Besides, in crowded families or where many family members share one room, there is a danger of this disease spreading very quickly. Hence, vigilance and awareness are the only methods to prevent this issue. If scabies has been diagnosed in a member of a family, then it should be treated in the whole family because the disease could have already spread but the symptoms might not have manifested yet. Most individuals find scabies to be a shaming disease, and hence hesitate to get it treated, keeping the issue hidden. But what should be kept in mind is that scabies is not due to impurity or lack of personal cleanliness, it is an infectious disease, and it is fully cured with proper treatment and hygiene. In contrast, hiding the disease can risk yourself and other members of the family.

Last but not least, if you or a member of your family suffers from intense itching, red rashes, or strange skin spots during the night, don't take it lightly as a normal heat issue.

Consult a doctor promptly, undergo the required tests, and get the right treatment. Remember, this issue can easily be avoided with a bit of awareness and promptness. Taking care of your body is all about securing your future and your family's safety in the future. So take notice from today, remain healthy.