Oral Ivermectin Treatment for Severe Scabies
Scabies is a skin disorder caused by microscopic parasite organisms and even though it is not related to age or gender, it is mostly spread among children and old adults. This is a very contagious disease that can create epidemics in overcrowded environments like nursing homes, asylums or orphanages. Children and old people are at most risk of contracting this affliction in case of a breakout because of their reduced mobility. This affliction can produce serious complications led by the possible bacterial and fungal infections on the damaged skin, based on the premises of a weak immune system.
After the mites have found a human host, the females start laying eggs in their burrows producing irritation, inflammation and rash. In later stages of the infection, the symptoms worsen and include blisters, lineal burrows and pustules. Those symptoms are mostly the allergic reaction of the human body to the toxins released by the mites in their saliva, feces and eggs.
The symptoms are more intense and the risk for complications increases in the cases of patients with impaired immune system. People with underlying immuno – deficitary conditions are more exposed to serious skin conditions like impetigo after an infestation with scabies. Other complications that may be developed by this category of people are skin crusts, lesions and nodules.
The most severe forms of scabies can not be treated with common topical creams and lotions for external use. HIV positive patients do not respond well to the normal treatments based on the common external use creams containing permethrin and lindane because, for instance, lindane may produce in some cases neurotoxic reactions. So, unlike the usual cases of scabies that are recommended external use treatment, for the patients with HIV and severe cases of scabies, doctors prescribe oral medications
The scabies treatments sometimes include oral medications. One of the most efficient oral medications used for this affliction is ivermectin. Even though this medicine has some various side effects, it is better tolerated than lindane, the extern use product and it is efficient in severe cases forms of scabies like crusted scabies. This medication is considered a reliable alternative for the topical external use creams and it is cheaper and also more efficient than other oral medicines too. Ivermectin is a strong drug that can eradicate the infestation in a rather short period of time, minimizing the possibilities for side – effects and it was also shown to be diminishing the chances for another re-infestation.
Ivermectin is an experimental medicine that hasn't been approved yet for extended use. Yet, the side – effects are few and it can be safely used as a treatment for scabies as research results show.