Show Y Your our Family Doctor Scabies Is Contag ious bus Disease By Dr Thomas D. D Masters Even the best regulated of families families families fam fam- may at some some time acquire the itch Scabies is highly contagious contagious contagious con con- very common and in no noway noway noway way a disgrace It is carried di directly directly directly di- di or through mediate ob ob- ob- ob such as bus bug seats and clothing clothing clothing cloth cloth- ing and usually occurs when children are thrown intimately together as in school They in turn carry it it back into their homes and frequently more than one member of a family will complain simultaneously The disease is characterized by intense intense intense in in- tense itching which occurs chiefly at night after going to tobed tobed tobed bed and warming the body The disease is due to the invasion invasion invasion inva inva- sion of the skin by a small parasite parasite parasite para para- site or mite The organism burrows burrows burrows bur bur- rows like a mole along the skin and its track forms galleys indicated indicated indicated indi indi- on the surface of the skin by a faint threadlike trail associated associated associated asso asso- with one or two minute blisters These are usually surrounded surrounded surrounded sur sur- rounded by scratch marks from the nails of the sufferer who tries to relieve the itching which becomes unbearable as he warms up in bed The parts of the body most commonly affected are the areas of skin between the fin fin- gers the wrists the buttocks and the entire trunk Recognizing Scabies The recognition of scabies can be made on several grounds of circumstantial evidence The itching occurs most notably at night and is hardly noticed during the daytime Usually more than one member of the family begins to show signs of itching by the time the initially infected member has become distinctly uncomfortable ble The location of the itching in inthe inthe inthe the wrists trunk and between the fingers is also an important clue and the appearance of scratches plus the fine threadlike threadlike threadlike thread thread- like galleys between the fingers brings final recognition Usually some relief is sought at this stage of the invasion but if it is permitted to go further the blisters become larger and more distinct t the h e scratch marks usually become infected and covered with scabs and the itching both more generalized and more intense Treatment of Itch The treatment of the itch customarily customarily customarily cus cus- relies on an ointment containing various amounts of sulphur There are several kinds of these available and they should be gauged to the individual individual individual in in- skin requirements The wrong solution of sulphur can cause an irritation of the skin quite as annoying as scabies scabies scabies bies and must be avoided Before applying the ointment it is necessary to scrub the body thoroughly with hot water and soap each night before before before be be- fore retiring The ointment is then rubbed all over tho the body and underwear with a satisfactory coverage is kept on night and day as long longas as the treatment Is continued After three to five such applications applications applications a bath is again taken a simple soothing lotion or oil applied applied applied ap ap- ap- ap plied and the treatment is over |