Scabies is particularly bothersome at night because the mites that cause it are more active during this time. This increased activity, combined with other factors, leads to intensified itching.
Here's a breakdown:
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Mite Activity: Scabies mites are naturally more active at night. This means they are moving around, burrowing, and potentially laying eggs, all of which contribute to increased irritation of the skin. As referenced in the provided information, "the mites are more active at night."
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Fecal Matter: The feces (scabella) produced by the scabies mites contain proteases. These proteases activate the protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR-2), a known pruritic (itch-causing) receptor. Because mites are more active at night, more feces are produced, leading to more activation of these receptors, hence more itching.
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Other potential reasons (not in reference):
- Temperature: Our bodies tend to be warmer in bed at night, which can increase mite activity.
- Lack of Distraction: During the day, we're often distracted by activities, making the itching seem less intense. At night, with fewer distractions, the itching becomes more noticeable.
- Immune Response: Some believe the immune system might react more strongly at night, exacerbating the itch.
In short, the combination of increased mite activity and the itch-inducing properties of their waste products makes scabies particularly unpleasant at night.
