Scabies
Scabies is a contagious skin condition caused by tiny mites that burrow into the skin
Most common symptoms
Scabies is a contagious skin condition caused by tiny mites that burrow into the skin
Most common symptoms
Men and Women – Intense itching, a red rash or tiny spots in the infected areas, which may only be noticed at night, or becomes worse in bed or after a hot bath or shower. Diagnosis can be difficult because the rash can look like other itchy skin conditions, like eczema, inflammation or raw, broken skin usually caused by excessive scratching.
It can take up to six weeks after coming into contact with scabies before signs and symptoms appear.
Scabies is often diagnosed by how it looks, so be prepared to drop your pants so the doctor or nurse can take a look at the infection and decide on what treatment is best for you.
Treatment for scabies is simple and involves using a special cream, lotion or shampoo which can be purchased over the counter from a pharmacy. You should wash your clothing, bedding and towels in a washing machine on a very hot cycle to kill the lice and avoid re-infection.
Even after successful treatment, the itching or rash may continue for a few weeks. Special tablets, creams or anti- irritant lotions can ease the itching.
Scabies doesn’t just effect you it can effect people in the same household and they should be treated at the same time, as well as your sexual partner, even if they do not have any signs or symptoms.
If left untreated you risk infecting everyone and everything you come into contact with and you will continually scratch until you are red raw