Scabies

Scabies is an itchy skin condition caused by a tiny burrowing mite called Sarcoptes scabiei. It is contagious and spreads quickly through close physical contact in a family, school or nursing home. Scabies infestation occurs worldwide and is very common. Scabies can affect anyone of any age (including a baby or child) or race.

1. Itching, often severe and usually worse at night.
2. Bumps or redness.
3. Itchy scalp.
4. Thin, irregular burrow tracks made up of tiny blisters or bumps on your skin.
5. The burrows or tracks typically appear in folds of skin.
6. Between the fingers.
   • In the armpits.
   • Around the waist
   • Along the insides of the wrists.
   • On the inner elbows.
   • On the soles of the feet
   • Around the breasts
   • Around the male genital area
   • On the buttocks.
   • On the knees.
7. In infants and young children, common sites of infestation usually include the:
   • Scalp.
   • Palms of the hands.
   • Soles of the feet.

According to Ayurveda, there are three elements present in our body: vata, pitta and kapha which are balanced in a healthy individual. Scabies can be correlated to Pama, which is caused by vitiation of Kapha dosha and Pitta dosha.

• Direct skin-to-skin contact is the mode of transmission.
• Sharing of clothing or bedding, furniture with an infected person can spread the mites

Treatment protocol aims at:

1. Locally to pacify the symptoms like itching and blisters and prevent super - infections.
2. By killing the mites and their eggs through oral and external application of medication.

The first line of treatment should always be avoiding the causative factors. If the problem persists then consider the following treatment protocol.

• Itching, red bumps and blisters - occur due to infection and inflammation. Tankanabhasma, Gandhaka Rasayana, Khadira, Nimba, Sariva, Manjistha are used to treat skin infection. Also purify the blood and prevent secondary infections. Aragvadha is very effective in itching condition.

(The above mentioned Ayurvedic drugs are Herbs and Herbomineral preparations)

Other therapies - Dusting medicated powder (Avachurna), applying medicated oil (Abhyanga), Lepana (Topical application of herbs) on affected areas.

Tankanabhasma, Gandhaka Rasayana, Khadira, Nimba, Sariva, Manjistha, Aragvadha