There’s no question that scabies is an unpleasant word that immediately conjures up feelings of discomfort. And while it’s a condition that can make you feel more than a little itchy, it’s also one that’s entirely treatable. It’s more common than you might think, affecting people from all walks of life. Ahead, we explain exactly what scabies is – and what you can do if you suspect you have it.
What is scabies?
Scabies is a highly contagious skin condition caused by an infestation of a tiny mite. These microscopic mites burrow into the upper layers of your skin, laying eggs, and triggering an allergic reaction. This reaction is what causes the hallmark symptoms of intense itching and a rash.
Much like head lice, it’s important to note that scabies is not a reflection of personal hygiene. The mites that cause scabies can be spread through close physical contact, and the condition affects people of all ages, backgrounds, and lifestyles.
How do you get scabies?
The mites are usually spread from person to person through prolonged skin-to-skin contact. This can occur in various situations, such as:
- Close physical contact with an infected person, including intimate contact
- Sharing bedding, towels, or clothing with someone who has scabies
Because scabies are easily transmissible, it’s common for outbreaks to occur in environments where people are in close quarters, such as nursing homes, childcare centres, schools, households and most recently, hospitals.
Contrary to popular belief, scabies is not something you’re likely to catch through brief contact, like shaking hands. The mites need time to transfer from one person to another, so it typically happens in situations where there’s extended physical contact.
What are the symptoms of scabies?
One of the most telltale signs of scabies is relentless itching, particularly at night. This is due to the body’s reaction to the mites and their burrowing into the skin. The other key symptom is a rash that consists of small, red bumps or blisters. The rash often appears in certain areas of the body, including:
- Between the fingers
- Around the wrists and elbows
- In the armpits
- Around the waistline
- On the bottom
- On the genital area
In infants and young children, scabies can also appear on the face, scalp, neck, and soles of the feet.
In more severe cases, the skin can become crusted (also known as Norwegian scabies), which happens when the body hosts a large number of mites. This type is highly contagious and requires more aggressive treatment.
How is scabies diagnosed?
If you think you might have scabies, the best course of action is to see your GP. Diagnosis is usually made based on your symptoms and the appearance of the rash. In some cases, a doctor may perform a skin scraping to examine under a microscope, which can confirm the presence of mites, eggs, or mite faeces.
It’s important to seek medical attention if you suspect scabies, not just for your own relief but also to prevent spreading it to others.
What are the treatment options for scabies?
Fortunately, scabies is entirely treatable. The most common treatment for scabies is prescription topical creams or lotions known as scabicides. These contain chemicals that kill the mites and their eggs. The treatment process generally involves:
- Applying the cream or lotion all over the body, from the neck down, even in areas where there may not be symptoms
- Leaving the medication on for the recommended period, usually overnight
- Washing it off thoroughly the next morning
It’s essential that everyone in the household, as well as anyone with whom the infected person has had close contact, is treated at the same time. This ensures the mites are completely eradicated and prevents re-infestation.
Sometimes, itching can persist for a few weeks after the mites are killed, but this doesn’t mean the scabies are still active. Your doctor may recommend anti-itch creams or oral antihistamines to help manage the itching during this time.
In the case of crusted scabies, oral medications may be necessary in addition to topical treatments. This type of scabies can be more difficult to treat and may require more than one round of medication.
How to prevent scabies from spreading
Once you’ve started treatment, it’s crucial to take steps to prevent scabies from spreading to others. This can be done by washing all clothing, bedding, and towels used by the infected person in hot water and drying them on high heat, vacuuming carpets and upholstered furniture, as well as keeping personal items separate and avoiding sharing them until the infestation has cleared.
