What are the symptoms of scabies?
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- Itch is often severe. Itchy skin tends to be in one area at first (often the hands), and then spreads to other parts of the body. The itch tends to be worse at night and after a hot bath.
- A rash usually appears soon after the itch starts. It is typically a blotchy red rash that can appear anywhere on the body. It is often most obvious on the inside of the thighs, parts of the abdomen, and the ankles.
- Mite tunnels (burrows) may be seen on the skin as fine, dark, or silvery lines about 2-10 mm long. The most common areas where they occur are the loose skin between the fingers, the front of wrists and elbows, the groin, armpits, under breasts, scrotum, and penis.
- Scratching sometimes causes slight skin damage. In some cases the damaged skin becomes infected by bacteria - a 'secondary' skin infection. Skin infected with bacteria becomes red, inflamed, hot and tender.
The itch and rash of scabies are due to an allergy to the mites. These symptoms usually take 2-6 weeks to occur after you are infected (as the allergy develops). So you may not know that you are infected, and you may pass the mite on to others before you have any symptoms.
Some people believe that they are 'covered in mites'. This is usually not so. Commonly there are just a few mites on the skin. But, the allergy to mites can cause you to itch all over, and for a rash to appear in many parts of the body.
Who should be treated?
- The affected person AND...
- All household members and sleeping / sexual partners of the affected person - even if they have no symptoms. This is because it can take up to 6 weeks to develop symptoms after you become infected. Close contacts may be infected, but have no symptoms, and may pass on the mite.
Note: everyone who is treated should be treated at the same time.
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bev, over 2 years
This article is fairly useful, but what I want to know with certaintly: do new red lines after treatment mean this has failed? It is often stated that new red lines showing withing 24-48 hours means unsuccessful treatment, is this 48 hours from the application? I am on my 5th treatment regime and my house is (and was anyway) practically sterile!!! I dont know how I got scabies but believe I had it for a while before it got me down so much I sought help (as I didnt know what it was). I put my Malathion on on Friday night and was igourous and left on for 24 hrs, now Monday mid day and I have noticed a new red burrow line on my outer elbow! I am distraught. Does this treatment work and can I use more and is it worthwhile as it has failed so many times! I am due to see a dermatologist in 2weeks and this is apparently a quick appointment, feel I will go mad before then though, can anyone help!
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