What is scabies
Scabies is an itchy rash that is caused by tiny mites that lay eggs in the skin. The rash can appear anywhere on the body (except the head and neck), but it is commonly found on the hands in between the fingers, the wrists, underarms, around the waist, on the groin or on your bottom. It is not a serious condition but does require treatment.
How is Scabies Transmitted
Scabies is transmitted through close and prolonged contact with infected people; this contact can include sexual contact. Casual contact such as handshakes or hugging are not ways scabies can be transmitted.
Sharing bedding, clothing, and towels can be a form of transmission as the mites can live away from the host for up to 36 hours. In crusted scabies, the mites can live away from the host for up to 7 days.
Symptoms of Scabies
The symptoms of Scabies are the same for both males and females and occur between 3-6 weeks after the first infestation. Repeat infestation symptoms occur within 1-3 days, symptoms include:
- Intense itching which may worsen at night
- Raised rash on the body
- Red spots on the body (these may be harder to see on darker skin tones)
- Dark spots on the skin which may be darker than your usual skin colour if you have a darker skin tone
- Raised lines in the skin with a dot at one end (where the eggs are laid)
Prevention and protection
If you have Scabies, everyone in your home must be treated at the same time to avoid it spreading. The precautions you can take to prevent transmission are:
Laundry: wash all clothes, towels and bedding at a minimum of 60 degrees Celsius. Anything that cannot be washed should be sealed in a plastic bag for at least 3 days 3 days
Avoid physical contact: Avoiding close contact (including) with people you live with during treatment is important to avoid spreading scabies
Avoid sharing: Avoid sharing bedding, clothes and towels to reduce the chance of transmission
Isolation: Avoid contact with people outside of your home for the first 24 hours after starting treatment. You can then go back to work, and children can go back to school
Cleaning: All rooms should be cleaned and soft furnishings vacuumed to avoid reinfestation
Treatment: Completing your treatment is important to avoid transmission. Everyone who lives with you should also be treated to avoid passing it back and forth
Treatment for scabies
Treatment is usually a medicated cream that must be applied to the entire body and scalp (except for the skin around the eyes). Particular attention should be paid to skin folds such as the groin area, underarms, under breasts and in between fingers and toes. The cream should be left on for at least 12 hours, and you should wait for it to dry for up to 15 minutes before getting dressed.
Everyone in your home must be treated at the same time, even if they do not have symptoms, and treatment may need to be repeated within 7 days. Itching and rashes may last for up to 4 weeks after treatment, if it has been more than 4 weeks then contact your GP for further advice.
Where to get help in Bexley
If you are showing symptoms, it is recommended that you contact your GP or visit your nearest pharmacy. Pharmacies can prescribe treatment for Scabies. You may be referred to a dermatologist if you have repeat infestations.
If you live with children under 2, you will need to visit your GP so they can access the most appropriate treatment.
What happens at your appointment?
A doctor will ask about your symptoms, who you live with, and your close contacts. They will also look at the areas where you have rashes or spots and may perform a test called skin scraping microscopy where samples of your skin are looked at under the microscope to detect the presence of mites or their eggs.
If you are diagnosed with Scabies, you will be prescribed treatment and given advice on how to proceed.
Complications of Scabies
The complications are not as severe as other infections, however that can be severe if you have a compromised immune system or are young child or baby. Immunocompromised people can get a rare but very infectious form of Scabies called crusted Scabies which causes a crusted flaky rash on the body.
Young children and babies, and older people may get Scabies rashes on their head, neck, palms of hands or soles of feet.
The most common complications are caused by repeatedly scratching the affected skin, which may lead to secondary infections such as impetigo or folliculitis. If you suffer from skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema, scabies can make these worse.
Scabies in pregnancy
Scabies cannot be passed onto your baby, and it does not cause pregnancy complications. If you are pregnant, your GP or a pharmacist will discuss the most appropriate treatment with you.