The possibility that you have a scabies infection may mortify you, but the condition really isn?t life threatening and definitely isn?t something you need to be embarrassed about. While you may shudder at the prospect of having to itch at yourself at the next social gathering, rest assured that the condition is not something that cannot be treated; however, it is highly contagious. Scabies can be described as a very itchy condition that affects your skin. This affliction is caused by a small burrowing mite, known as Sarcoptes Scabiei. The urge to scratch at the affected area is generally more intense during the night, as compared to the rest of the day.
Causes of Scabs
The condition of scabies itself is caused due to an infestation of the scabies mite. Any environment or job that requires close personal contact such as at a day care center increases your risk of infection, because of the higher possibility of exposure. When an impregnated female mite gets transferred on to the skin of an uninfected person the female will burrow and lays her eggs producing more scabies mites, giving rise to an infestation. Factors that could cause the mites to spread from one person to another include:
-- Genital Herpes
-- Close personal contact with an infected person
-- Sharing towels, clothes, or bed linen with those who may be infected
-- Sexual contact with a person who has an infestation
Diet for Scabies
While a diet may not play a direct part in curing scabies, a healthy diet can boost immunity, which helps in fighting off an infection. There are certain foods that are said to contain antibacterial properties, like onions and garlic and therefore, their consumption is encouraged. In case you suffer from scabies, diet changes could help in recovery, but they may not have a direct impact on the actual condition. Given below are certain foods that are recommended for scabies:
-- A bowl of fresh organic fruits like orange and apple and maybe a slice of pineapple. You can also blend these fruits together, with some water and a glass of milk and have a smoothie instead. Consuming a few cloves of garlic at breakfast should also be helpful.
-- Fresh vegetable juice
-- Certain varieties of nuts
Suggestions for Scabies
Scabies can be extremely problematic because it is a stubborn condition that may be hard to get rid of at times, and quite often there may even be a relapse. Given below are a few tips on managing scabies that should help control the problem:
-- Treating the whole family or all the other members in the household, even if they do not have the rash.
-- Washing all bed sheets, towels, linens and other articles of clothing.
-- Continuing the treatment up to a week, after the infestation is believed to have resolved will help to minimize the risk of eggs hatching.