Collembola is Often Misdiagnosed as Scabies

Scabies is a subject that comes up occasionally. This is the first blog entry about the subject. Donna, asks,

Hi Donna,

Collembola is often misdiagnosed as scabies. It's really difficult to diagnose scabies. The plug sample that the doctor takes has to be at the right place to find the mite. Often times the doctor doesn't even take the plug sample and just goes on the visual appearance and symptoms.

However, if they did find the scabies mite in the plug sample, the treatment is a double descending dose of prednisone along with ivermectin, and bedding and clothing has to be disinfected. to keep from reinfection or infecting someone else.

Permethrin is a topical poison that can be toxic to the user. In my opinion, NG will provide a safe alternative, but the FDA regulations require me to inform you to check with your doctor and that NG is not a treatment or cure for any disease or parasite--it's a cleaner.

My wife had a case of scabies about a year ago. Her dermatologist explained that the mite tunnels under the skin and is hard to diagnose because to find it, he has to take a plug sample from the part of the tunnel that the mite is at. It's like trying to diagnose a rabbit by taking a sample from the rabbit hole--the rabbit has to be at the exact point the sample is taken.

I guess, her doctor had a good feeling or intuition for where to find the scabies mite in her skin as the results for the biopsy came back positive for scabies. Because of this, many doctors don't even bother with biopsies and just go by the visual appearance of the skin along with the symptoms of intense itching. And, because they have no idea what Collembola (spring tails) are, much less what infected skin looks like, they go with the diagnosis of scabies.

The CDC only lists initial treatment with a scabiscide lotion or cream. My wife's doctor treated her with inermectin and a double descending dose of prednisone.

Those who find me are those for whom the scabiscides, (Lindane, Elimite (permethrin). Eurax, sulfur did not work, and actually have Collembola. Collembola has similar symptoms of extreme itching and activity around the ankles. but the scabiscides and medications don't work for Collembola unless caught very early.