Ectoparasitic infections are infections that are caused by tiny little parasitic bugs, such as lice or mites. These bloodsuckers can afflict your skin and scalp that can result to irritation.They are spread through close physical contact, including sexual intercourse. This is an STD in women which takes the manifestations similar to that of genital warts.

Types Of Ectoparasitic infections:

The most common ectoparistic infections affect the genitalia. These are Pediculosis Pubis and Scabies.

Scabies:

Scabies is an ectoparasitic infection caused by a small bug that is invisible to the naked eye but can be seen with a magnifying glass or microscope. This is caused by mite sacroptes scabiei. These parasites which are about 1/50 of an inch in length live in the outer layer of the skin. The itching usually starts several weeks after exposure to a person with scabies and is often associated with small bumps over the area of itching. he mite is acquired through body contact with an infected person or with contaminated clothing, towels, or beddings.

Pediculosis Pubis (Pubic lice):

This is a kind of infection in the genital parts which is caused by crab lice. Crab lice can cause intense itching in the warm skin folds of the pubic area. The lice (commonly called crabs) are small bugs that are visible to the naked eye without the aid of a magnifying glass or microscope. The lice live on pubic hair (or any other hair) and are associated with itching. Patients suffering from Pediculosis pubis (i.e., pubic lice) generally seek medical attention because of pruritus or since they notice lice or nits on their pubes. Pediculosis pubis is generally spread through sexual contact.

Ectoparasitic Infections Treatments:

Treatments For scabies:

The standard treatment for scabies is a 5% cream of permethrin (Elimite), which is applied to the entire body from the neck down and then washed off after 8 to 14 hours. Also, Ivermectin (Stromectol), an oral medication for scabies which is given at a single dose with an intensity of 200 micrograms/kilogram of body weight of an individual.

One ounce of a 1% lotion or 30 grams of cream of lindane is also used as an alternative form of treatment. It is applied from the neck down and after about 8 hours it is washed off. Unfortunately, itching may persist for up to two months after successful therapy. As an additional precaution, lindane should not be used in pregnant or nursing women or children younger than two years old.

Treatments For Pubic lice:

Usually Permethrin is used for the treatment of pubic lice. 1% cream rinse of permethrin is applied to the infected region and cleaned after 10 minutes. Alternative treatments include a 1% shampoo of lindane applied for four minutes before washing off or pyrethrins with piperonyl butoxide applied for 10 minutes before washing off.

Pyrethrins with piperonyl butoxide is also recommended to be applied at the infected area and leaved on for 10 minutes prior to rinsing. The patient’s bedding and clothing should be machine-washed with hot water. All sexual partners within the preceding month should be treated for pubic lice and evaluated for other STDs. It is advised that you should use medications carefully and avoid getting it into your eyes because it can be very much irritating.