Scabies
What is scabies?
Scabies is a mite (tiny insect) that burrows into the skin. An itchy rash is caused when a female mite burrows into a person's skin to lay her eggs
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Who gets scabies?
Anyone can get scabies. There are probably millions of people with scabies. However, people with more sex partners have a greater risk of getting scabies
How is scabies spread?
Scabies are usually, but not always, spread through sexual contact. They can also be spread through close personal contact or by using the unwashed bed linen, clothes, or towels of an infected person.
What are the signs and symptoms of scabies?
The burrows that mites make are usually hard to see. They are thread-line ridges 5-15 mm long. The scabies mite usually burrows into the skin of the inside of the wrists, the sides and webs of the fingers, and sometimes around the nipples or buttocks. Small blisters might show up at the end of burrows. If scabies are spread through sexual contact, mites will usually burrow into the skin of the lower body- abdomen, buttocks, thighs, or genital area.
Two to six weeks after exposure to the scabies mite, the burrows become raised and intense itching occurs, especially when the person become warm in bed, or after exercise or a hot shower or bath. The symptoms will appear quicker (often within hours after exposure) in people who have had scabies before. If you scratch the burrows, they can get infected. A rash or bumps can appear on the skin between the fingers, inside the wrists, inside of the elbows, in the creases under the buttocks, in the creases of the abdomen, and around the genitals. The bumps can become inflamed, crusty, or hard.
How is scabies diagnosed?
You should see your health care provider if you think you have scabies. He/she will diagnose scabies by a physical examination of the infested area. If you have a rash, burrows, intense itching (especially while in bed or when warm), your health care provider will probably diagnose you with scabies. The diagnosis can be confirmed if your health care provider finds mite eggs, or parts of eggs.
How is scabies treated?
Scabies is treated by oral or topical prescription medications. There are also special creams, lotions, or shampoos that you can buy in a drug store. But you should talk to your health care provider about what is best for you. If you have never had scabies, definitely make sure you talk to your health care provider before trying to treat yourself. Even after you finish treatment and the scabies mite is dead, you could have itching for a while (often for weeks). If you scratch a lot, you may get an infection. If you get an infection, you should see your health care provider.
How can I prevent spreading scabies?
If you have scabies, avoid close body contact with others. You should get treatment right away to prevent spreading them to others. Make sure you wash your clothes and bed linens in hot water, or dry-clean or press them with a very hot iron. This will kill the insects and eggs. If you find out you have scabies, you need to tell your sex partner(s) or anyone you have had close contact with or has shared your bed linens, clothes, or towels. These people should be treated even if they don't have an itch or a rash.
How can I avoid getting scabies?
You have a much lower chance of getting scabies if you have only one sex partner. Condoms do not prevent scabies, so make sure your partner does not have them. Also, try not to use other people's clothing or bedding. As soon as you think you have scabies, treat it right away to avoid getting them over and over.
Updated 8/13/2005
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