How to Recognize the Symptoms of Scabies

Scabies is considered a parasitic disease. It occurs when mites called scabies (in Latin: Sarcoptes scabei) burrow under the skin. The mites are too small for the naked eye to see, but their presence leaves clear symptoms that any doctor, and most lay people, can recognize.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Hand held mirror
• Bright light or fluorescent lighting

Recognize the Symptoms of Scabies

1. Check your skin thoroughly every month under a bright light, using a handheld mirror so you can see as much of your skin as possible.
2. Pay special attention to any areas of your skin that itch intensely, especially at night. One way to recognize a scabies infestation is by noticing when the itching is at its worst. People with scabies often report increased itching at night.
3. Look for pimples or burrow marks between your fingers and toes, in skin folds, between the shoulder blades, between the legs, on your penis and underneath the breasts. Scabies usually seek out warm, moist places on the body.
4. Avoid scratching. Not only can further damage your skin and give yourself a skin infection, any scratch marks you make on your skin will make it more difficult for your doctor to accurately diagnose the problem.
5. Report any skin changes such as severe itching, pimples or burrow marks (also known as "tracks") to your doctor.
6. Ask your doctor for medication to relieve your symptoms as well as medication to kill the mites. Itching and discomfort can last anywhere from 2 to 3 weeks after treatment as the dead mites and their waste products work their way out of your skin.

Tips & Warnings

• Scabies can make you very uncomfortable, but they are not dangerous and can be treated with several prescription creams. The cream is usually applied twice, with the second time occurring 7 to 10 days after the first treatment to kill any new mites that have hatched.
• Elderly people and people with compromised immune systems may develop a form of scabies called Norwegian or crusted scabies. This simply means they have more mites in their skin and therefore can pass the infestation more easily to others.
• You can't get scabies from your pet, nor can you give your pet scabies.
• Scabies are spread through close, prolonged contact with someone who is infested with the mites. They can also be spread through sharing clothes, dirty towels and bedding.
• Scabies are not dangerous, but scratching the affected skin can be, since the area under the fingernails is a breeding ground for bacteria. Scratching, which is almost impossible to avoid if you have symptoms of scabies, can give you a nasty skin infection. If you recognize the symptoms of scabies, go to your doctor and to get started on treatment right away.

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