Scabies
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Scabies is caused by tiny mites that burrow into skin — causing irritation and inflammation.
Scabies mites are mostly spread by close body to body contact — sometimes during sex. Sharing bedding, or clothing, can also spread scabies mites.
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What are the symptoms of scabies?
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If you have scabies, you might notice:
- Itching that gets worse at night
- A bumpy rash that can appear anywhere on your body — often found on the hands, undersides of the wrists, in the armpits, around the waist, or in the genital area
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How is scabies tested for?
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Scabies can usually be diagnosed by:
- Looking at your skin for signs of mites
- Occasionally, taking a sample of your skin
Make an appointment with us — we can check for scabies.
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How is scabies treated?
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Don’t worry! Scabies is easy to treat with a special lotion, cream, or ointment. You’ll need to wash your clothes and bedding too.
Treatment is usually with a cream or lotion which contains 5% permethrin. This can be bought at a pharmacy or prescribed for you. One 30ml bottle should be enough to treat one person. You need to apply this cream all over your body, including the soles of your feet, and leave it on for at least 8 hours, or overnight. Avoid contact with your eyes.
If you have any open wounds or if the rash has become really red, hot, if you notice pus, or if you have a fever, you should see a doctor for advice before treating your scabies at home.
You will also need to wash all your clothing, bedding, and towels in a hot wash. With things that can’t be hot washed, you can put them in a plastic bag and freeze them overnight to kill the mites.
Other family members should check for scabies and be treated if they have any signs.
It is a good idea to repeat the treatment one week later, to kill any mites that may still be on your skin.
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How do you protect yourself from scabies?
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Condoms, oral dams, and lube won’t protect against scabies. Scabies is easy to catch and spreads easily through close skin-to-skin contact, or sharing clothing, bedding, or towels that have been used by someone with a scabies infection.
It’s important to get tested for STIs before and after unprotected sex, or anytime you have sex with a new person.
If you’re having sex with several people — or the person you have sex with is having sex with several people — talk to us about how often you should be screened for scabies and other STIs.
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What do I need to do if I get scabies?
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If you find out that you have scabies, there are a few important things that you need to do:
- Get treatment for your scabies. Make an appointment with us — one of our nurses or doctors will help you
- Tell the people that you’ve had sex with recently — if it is safe for you to do — that they might have scabies
- It’s good to be sure that you have killed all your scabies mites, before you have sex again
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