Hey, my name is
Sarcoptes scabiei, but I'm not a fan of being called that - so I always go by Sarco
Meet Sarco
As a mite, I'm a tiny arachnid that causes scabies in humans. I'm here to help you learn about the disease and how it affects people.
I've lived all over the world being hosted by over 200 million people. However, not only by those with less income and resources. I really don't care who hosts me, I'm not picky. I normally like tropical and warm countries, preferably, with large populations since I am really extroverted and love being with people.
Today I'm staying with Marco, he is a 10-year-old kid that lives in Barcelona with his parents and 3 siblings, which is great news for me.
After staying with his friend Noah for a while I decided to move on to him after Marco tried on Noahs' T-shirt.
Noah, it seems, never told his parents or friends about the intense itching he was feeling. He was too afraid they might think something was seriously wrong or that he'd have to stop hanging out with them. Worse yet, he worried they'd assume it was because he didn't shower or that his family wasn't as well-off as the others.
One thing you should know about me is that I love digging. When I am with my host I burrow into his skin, creating tiny tunnels. Then I lay eggs and sometimes, as I also have my needs, I leave poop inside the tunnels (please don't tell anyone since it is my little secret).
I have heard some of my hosts blaming me for their allergic reactions. They say my eggs and poop cause them small itchy bumps and blisters.
As I've mentioned before, I thrive on moving from one person to another, which is what humans refer to as being contagious. To transfer from one person to the next, direct physical contact is essential. This requires people to be in close and prolonged proximity, such as when they live together or engage in sexual activity. Brief interactions, like a quick hug, don't give me enough time to make the jump between individuals.
Most of my hosts don't seem to like me very much, I think it's because humans are very independent. When they want to kick me out they offer me a “treat”, or what they call “treatment”. They usually have two options: permethrin cream or malathion lotion. Both are filled with insecticides designed to kill me.
When people come to me with scabies, I usually prescribe them a topical cream that contains permethrin. This medication is applied to the skin and left on for a few hours before being washed off. It's important to follow the instructions carefully to ensure the treatment is effective. In some cases, I may also prescribe an oral medication to help manage the symptoms.
Typically, permethrin 5% cream is recommended first, while malathion 0.5% lotion is used if permethrin doesn't work.
Marco, one of my hosts, was given these after seeing a doctor, but they caused him a severe allergic reaction. These treatments often cause adverse side effects for my hosts, sometimes making things even worse because of their toxic properties. I've also heard they're not suitable for preventive use.
But now, I've been following the news at my host's place and learned that a group of 11 students has found a way to get rid of me without any side effects, for both prevention and treatment. I've already warned all of my family members to be on guard.
Apparently, they're working on a new lotion called SkinBAIT. When applied to human skin, the genetically modified bacteria in it will produce and release Cry toxins.
These toxins are specifically designed to target me and my family members. The best part is that they're harmless to humans and don't affect the environment.
They've also included an RNA thermometer in the bacteria's genetic circuit. This allows to control toxin release at body temperature, ensuring a localized and effective treatment.
They claim it's harmless to humans and animals, and that it even respects the skin microbiome, but how can that matter when, in the end, it will cost me my life? Their slogan makes me cry; they say it will be “My last bite”.
