Although the Scabies mite is highly contagious, it is not a reportable disease. What this means is: a doctor is not required to report an incident to the CDC, or Health Department, making it unknown how many cases of scabies are actually contracted each year. If each case were reported, then perhaps more attention would be paid to updating treatment information, and a correct, first time diagnosis would be available, rather than several misdiagnosis, sometimes over one year!
Unfortunately, many times a positive diagnosis is usually only visually obvious once the person has been completely infested, living with the parasite for months, even years, infecting scores of others around them, creating a vicious cycle of not being able to cure, unless everyone affected is successfully treated at the same time. I've heard of people having scabies for 3 years without being diagnosed properly!! This is true because cortisone creams, acne medicines, and antihistimines have helped mask the problem, and the person thinks they are just "cursed with acne." Each time a person thinks they are getting better, then worse, the doctors suggest trying something else. While scabies DOES make most people itch and scratch, Not everyone is severely itchy. Others get used to it. Most doctors I had been to said I was itching because my skin was dry or sensitive, try using this cream, or that cream. If you are a person who is suffering from this skin mite, then you know all too well what I'm talking about! People infected MUST tell others about it, don't be embarrassed, others around you MUST be treated also in order for treatment to succeed. Too many people choose to deal with this secretly which is not the right thing to do!! This is not something which affects only someone who is dirty, THIS IS A COMMON MISCONCEPTION. Scabies affects people of all color, race, and social status. Including someone who lives in the cleanest home and takes 3 showers per day. You cannot "wash away" scabies..
I am hoping to bring more awareness about this to the general public, and persons in the health fields, in hopes of someday eradicating this nuisance. Scabies has been here since the pyramids were built, but there is no reason why modern medicines should not work. There have been reported cases of Scabies being resistant to the leading prescription drug Permethrin. (Keep reading to find out why) And, while Tea Tree Oil is a great antiseptic, unfortunately it doesn't do much for scabies, at least not in my case. I WISH the non-toxic remedies worked. But I guess it's a bit like trying to kill a cockroach with salad dressing. I believe a person should be quarantined, and helped by medical officials until they are cured, and no longer contagious. Who wants to keep living with parasites? I certainly don't.
For 3 years, nobody seemed willing or able to help me. I don't use drugs, I don't drink alcohol, I'm not promiscuous, I'm not a crazy person, I'm not dilusional. Yet, these are questions which many sufferers have been asked by their doctors when requesting a diagnosis of scabies. Unless you are a person which has suffered endlessly from this parasite, then I guess it's difficult for a large percentage of the medical world to accept anything other than "classic textbook symptoms" which are extremely outdated. I've included a letter on page 2 to the Health Department and also some links to a few blogs/sites which I've found useful.
If you do need to e-mail me, please allow me some time to reply, as I'm not online every day. I will try and answer any questions you may have to the best of my knowledge. I am not a doctor. I cannot give you medical advice. I am just a person with over 3 years of research experience with this parasite and every treatment you can imagine.
Best of Luck to You, Feel free to copy or use any text from my website and browse through the other information I've collected.
LETTER TO HEALTH DEPARTMENT
The more people informed about this, the more likely the health authorities will take notice and issue advice to doctors on what to look for. If people are properly diagnosed immediately, we can help end the cycle, and the less likely you are to become infected again. If you believe you have this, and a doctor tells you otherwise, insist on a second opinion. Or a third.
Does anyone know a dermatologist out there which specializes in this type of disease? There has to be an expert in the USA somewhere. I've found only doctors in New Zealand, or Australia who seem to be really in the "know" about this, but not much in the USA. If you are a doctor, please feel free to contact me also.
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The following information is intended as an educational aid only. It is not intended as a medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Speak to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical
regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.