How
do I get scabies?
What does scabies
do to my body?
Is there a cure for
scabies?
How do I find out
if I have scabies?
How do I learn more
about scabies?
What is scabies?
Scabies is similar to pubic lice,
but the bugs are too small to be seen.
The bugs dig under the skin.
How can
I get scabies?
Scabies spreads quickly
in places where there a lot of people
like in hospitals, daycares and nursing
homes. In order to get scabies,
you have to be around for a long time,
with someone who has it (not
just a quick handshake). It is easier
to get it if you spend the night
with someone who has scabies and
if you sleep in the same bed.
What does scabies
do to my body?
- For a person who has never had scabies,
signs may take 4-6 weeks to begin.
For a person who has had scabies,
signs appear within several days.
- Scabies
causes very small itchy sores all
over the body. These sores can sometimes
get bacteria in them.
- Scabies also causes pimple-like
bumps, burrows (tunnels just under
the skin) or rash on the skin, especially
the area between the fingers; where
the skin folds on the wrist, elbow,
or knee; the penis, the breast, or
shoulder blades.
- Scabies is usually not on the neck
or face.
Is there
a way to get rid of scabies?
You have to ask
your doctor for a liquid medicine
that you will put all over your body where you have
rashes or the burrows.You may itch
for 2-3 weeks, but it doesn't mean you still have scabies.
Your doctor can give you more medicine
if you keep itching past 2-3 weeks,
or if the itching is very bad.
You
should wash your clothes, bed sheets
and towels after treatment since the bugs can live in them.
- Wash infected clothing and linen on the hot cycle setting
(130 F). Dry on the hot cycle
for at least 20 minutes,
- Infested articles that cannot be laundered may be dry-cleaned
or placed in a bag for two weeks
to insure decontamination.
- Furniture and carpeting may be vacuumed to rid infested
area of mites. Dispose of vacuum
bag afterwards.
How do I find out
if I have scabies?
Doctors can tell you have scabies by
looking at the burrows (often in a
zigzag or "S" pattern)
or rash.
How do I learn more
about scabies?
To learn
more about scabies and other STIs call:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
800-232-4636
Hotline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Information is available in Spanish as well
For Information for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing call
1-888-232-6348
|
