Scabies

What is it and how can I get it?

Scabies is caused by tiny parasitic mites that are smaller than a pinhead. The mites can be found in the:

• Genital area
• On the hands, between the fingers
• On wrists and elbows
• Under the arms
• On the belly
• On the breasts/chest area (around the nipples in women)
• On the feet and ankles
• On the bum

They burrow into the skin and lay eggs.

Scabies is passed from one person to another by close body contact or by having sex with someone who has scabies. Because the mites can live for up to 72 hours off the body you can also get scabies sharing clothes, bedding and towels with someone who is infected.

A more severe and not so common form of scabies is crusted scabies. This can affect older people and those with certain illnesses, such as HIV. Crusted scabies is when there are lots of mites in the skin.

What are the symptoms?

You don’t always have any signs or symptoms with scabies and it can take up to six weeks after coming into contact with scabies before any appear. The mites are very tiny and you can’t see them with the naked eye. These are the sorts of things you might notice:

• Intense itching in the affected areas which may only be noticed at night, or which becomes worse in bed at night or after a hot bath or shower.
• An itchy red rash or tiny spots.
• Inflammation or raw, broken skin in the affected areas – usually caused by scratching.
• Fine silvery lines in the skin where mites have burrowed.

What does getting tested involve?

Most of the time a doctor or nurse will be able to tell if you have scabies just by looking at the affected areas. They might need to gently take a flake of skin and look at it under a microscope to see if there’s a mite. Sometimes they may not be able to confirm scabies but will still advise that you have the treatment anyway.

How can I get tested?

You can get checked for scabies at your local Genito-urinary medicine (GUM) clinic.

GUM clinics are specialist clinics that deal with STIs. They provide a totally confidential service and you don’t need to have been referred by your GP to use a them you can make an appointment over the phone yourself.

If you want to find out more information about GUM and CaSH clinics, have a look at our 'What to expect: GUM clinics' and 'What to expect: CaSH clinics' pages.

If you know you have scabies you can get advice and treatment from a chemist.

What does treatment involve?

Treatment for scabies is very simple and involves using a special cream, lotion or shampoo usually to the whole body, from the neck down. Generally this is done at night as it needs to be left on the body and rinsed off after 12 hours.

Treatment usually lasts for around 3-7 days and you may be asked to go back for a check-up a week or so afterwards to make sure the lice have gone. You’ll also need to wash your clothing, bedding and towels in a washing machine on a very hot cycle. This will kill the mites and prevent re-infection. 

The doctor, nurse or chemist will advise you on what treatment to use and how to use it. Do tell them if you are, or think you might be, pregnant or if you are breastfeeding as this affects the type of treatment you are given.

You, your partner(s) and close contacts in your household should be treated at the same time even if they don't have any signs and symptoms. And you should avoid sex and close body contact until you have finished the treatment.

What are the health effects?

Scabies won’t go away unless it’s treated. If you leave it untreated you risk passing the condition onto someone else.