Do You Have Itch Mites?

Itch mites are also referred to as scabies mites and they are the cause of scabies. These microscopic creatures are quite irritating and can cause major itching along with a rash. A doctor will probably have to diagnose you if you do have itch mites.

Itch mites are contagious and are most commonly found on people who have close contact with each other. Children are particularly prone to them, since they tend to be in closer contact with other people.

Once itch mites get into your home, it can be very difficult to get rid of them again. They can be passed from person to person through physical contact as well as coming into contact with an infected item. Clothing, bedding and towels are the perfect way for these animals to get around.

The reason for the itch is this: the female itch mite burrows into the skin to lay eggs. This continues for about 5 weeks, then the eggs hatch and the cycle begins again. You can identify the burrows that the female makes by their zigzag pattern. The burrows are quite small and can be hard to see, but they also cause intense itching, especially at night.

When scratched, the affected areas can develop a rash. Itch mites tend to settle in and lay eggs in specific areas such anywhere clothing is tighter (wrists, neck, ankles) and can appear in the thigh area of children who are still in diapers. They also burrow on the backs of hands, between fingers and toes and heels, elbows and waist.

Getting rid of itch mites can be tough. A common solution is to wash everything in an anti-lice shampoo. It may be necessary to repeat the treatment for several days to make sure that any hatching mites will be killed as well.

Heat can also kill itch mites, so you can try putting bedding and clothing in the dryer and the affected people might try a sauna to get rid of them. Sulphur is another useful method of killing off the little animals, you can buy lotions with a small amount of sulphur to use as a topical treatment.

Once you get rid of the mites, you will want to prevent them from returning. This is best done by making sure that everything is thoroughly washed frequently, especially bedding and towels. No one should share combs or hair brushes, either, since this can also result in transfer of infection.