Is Scabies a Sexually Transmitted Disease?

Sarcoptes scabiei, more commonly known as the "itch mite

," burrows into a host's skin causing a severely itchy, highly contagious skin infection scabies. These are microscopic parasites barely 1/3 of a millimeter long and may be seen on the skin as a tiny white dot. Pregnant females will lay their eggs within the first layer of skin, while the males will tend to crawl along the surface instead. Both humans and animals can be infected with mites; however, the mites found on animals are less severe and tend to produce only a mild itch, dying on their own, unable to survive. A person diagnosed with scabies may infect others by direct skin-to-skin contact. The most common form of transmission is among sexually active adolescents and young adults, also referred to as a form of a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Scabies will appear on the skin as small pimple-like insect bites covering the arms, feet, hands, and fingers. Additional complications may arise if the intense scratching leads to breaking open the skin, allowing other secondary bacterial infections to develop.

Crusted scabies, or Norwegian scabies, is a more severe form of the infection first reported in Norway. Those with a compromised immune system, or those who are mentally or physically disabled, are more susceptible to catching these mites. Thousands of mites infest the host's skin, causing lesions to form all over the body, leaving crusty, wart-like skin remaining. If infected, one may buy a mite-killer, such as permethrin creams applied from the neck down, and rinsed off the next morning. Successful treatments may show positive results in just a few weeks. It is also recommended to treat those who have recently been in close contact with the infected individual, such as family or close relatives and friends.

Is Scabies a Sexually Transmitted Disease?

By: Jesse Ryan

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