Common Ailments of
Skin
Generally skin
has multiple functions hence we can call it as first line defence of the body because it prevents the entry of pathogenic organisms into the body.
Occasionally
organisms damage skin by entering into the body hence skin disease occurs.
The study of skin
diseases: Dermatology.
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Common
diseases in Humans
·
Leprosy
It is caused by a bacteria Mycobacterium
leprae which infects the skin underlying tissues and nerves and also
spreads from one person to other person.
·
Tetanus
It is caused by a bacteria Clostridium
tetani which enters through the wounds, infection occurs by spores present
in soil and dust affects the nervous system.
·
Scabies
It is caused by a mite known as itch mite (Sarcoptes scabies)
It is one of the most common skin disease occurs in children and spreads
from person to person by physical
contact and also spreads by the use of clothes used by the infected child.
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Structure
of itch mite
It looks like a spider belongs to phylum Arthropoda. The shape of the body resembles like a tortoise with convex on upper side and
flat on lower side consisting small hair like structure known as bristles. It is very small in size but
visible to naked eye as a minute white dot with dark bands. Female mite is bigger
than the male mite consisting 4 – 6
pairs of legs with suckers and is different in male and female.
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Life
Cycle
o
After copulating male mite dies and female mite
is fertilized this makes S shaped
tunnel in the skin and burrows into the tunnel known as moulting pocket.
o
Female mite lives in the bottom of the tunnel
for about 2 months, lays 2 – 3 eggs per day and dies at the end of
second month.
o
Eggs develop into 6 legged insect as larvae
which moves around the skin and make fresh burrows by moulting 3 times before
it becomes adult.
·
Symptoms
o
Intense itching.
o
Itching is very low during day time and severe
at night times.
·
Result
By
severe itching blood will comes out and spreads the disease to fresh areas on
the body.
·
Affected
Parts
Web
of fingers, wrist, abdomen and majorly in urinary system.
·
Treatment
Using
of anti-parasitic drugs and sulphur containing ointments Example : Itch guard
·
Precautions
o Washing
the clothes with hot water, make them to dry under the sun and must be ironed.
o Clothes
of affected child should be soaked in boiling water.
