The primary insect (or more accurately, arachnid) that lays eggs in human skin is the scabies mite.
Understanding Scabies Mites
Scabies mites are tiny, eight-legged parasites that burrow into the upper layer of human skin to live and lay their eggs. This burrowing causes intense itching, especially at night, and leads to a pimple-like skin rash.
How Scabies Infestation Occurs
Scabies is typically spread through prolonged, direct skin-to-skin contact with someone who already has scabies. While less common, it can also be spread by sharing items such as bedding, clothing, or towels.
Signs and Symptoms of Scabies
- Intense itching: Especially at night.
- Pimple-like rash: Often appears as tiny blisters or bumps.
- Burrow tracks: Small, raised, and grayish-white or skin-colored lines on the skin surface.
Common Areas Affected
Scabies often affects areas like:
- Between the fingers
- In the skin folds of the wrist, elbow, or knee
- Around the waistline and navel
- On the genitals
- On the buttocks
- Under the fingernails
Treatment for Scabies
Scabies requires treatment with prescription medications, usually topical creams or lotions containing permethrin or ivermectin, that kill the mites and their eggs. It's also crucial to wash all clothing, bedding, and towels used in the 3 days prior to treatment in hot water and dry them on high heat.
Prevention of Scabies
- Avoid skin-to-skin contact with individuals who have scabies.
- Do not share clothing, bedding, or towels with others.
- If someone in your household has scabies, ensure everyone gets treated at the same time, even if they don't have symptoms.
