Understanding Scabies: What You Need to Know
Scabies is a skin condition caused by tiny mites called Sarcoptes scabiei. These mites are so small that you can't see them without a microscope! They burrow into the skin, where they live and lay eggs. Let’s break down what scabies is, how it spreads, the symptoms, and how to treat it.
How Scabies Spreads
Scabies can spread very easily from person to person. Here are the main ways you can catch it:
Close Contact: If you spend a lot of time close to someone who has scabies, like hugging or sleeping together, you can catch it.
Sharing Items: Sometimes, you can get scabies from sharing clothes, towels, or bedding with someone who has it.
It's important to know that scabies can affect anyone, no matter how clean or tidy they are!
Symptoms of Scabies
Once you’ve been in contact with scabies, it might take a little while for symptoms to show up. This period can be from two to six weeks. Here are some common signs to look out for:
Itching: The most noticeable symptom is severe itching, especially at night. Itching may also become worse in a warm shower (It’s the mites moving, they don’t like the heat) You'll feel the urge to scratch, which can make your skin sore.
Rash: You might notice a rash that looks like red spots or small bumps. This can appear anywhere on the body but is common between the fingers, on wrists, elbows, and even around the belly button. On the genitals it may look like boils.
Burrows: You may see tiny lines on your skin, which are the burrows made by the mites. These may look like tiny grey or red lines.
How Scabies is Diagnosed
If you think you have scabies, it's important to see a doctor or a sexual health clinic. They will look at your skin and might use a small tool to take a sample from an itchy area. This helps them check for the mites or their eggs, they can also advise on the best treatment for you.
Treating Scabies
Good news! Scabies can be treated quite effectively. Here’s how:
Medicated Creams or Lotions: Your doctor will likely prescribe a special cream or lotion that you rub into your skin. This treatment usually needs to be applied all over your body and left on for a specific time, must follow the product instructions very closely. Sexual and household contacts need to be treated at the same time. Click here for more information about treatments.
Washing Clothes and Bedding: To avoid spreading scabies, wash clothes, towels, and bedding in hot water and dry them on a high heat.
It’s important to follow your doctor's instructions exactly and treat anyone else who may have been in close contact with you.
Preventing Scabies
To prevent scabies, try to avoid close contact with someone who is infected. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
Don't share personal items: Avoid sharing things like towels and clothing.
Stay clean: Although scabies can affect anyone, keeping good hygiene can help reduce the risk.
If you do end up with scabies, don’t worry! It’s treatable, but can take months for the itching and rash to fully go, and with the right care, you can get back to feeling like yourself in no time. Always talk to a trusted adult or healthcare provider if you have questions or concerns about scabies.