Scabies is a skin condition caused by tiny, insect-like parasites that infect the very top layer of your skin. That is easily passed from skin to skin contact, usually during sex.
What happens is that scabies might burrow under your skin and lay their eggs. This leads to producing more mites which itch and gets worse at night.
Common affected sites are;
- Webbing between fingers
- Wrist
- Elbow
- Underarm
- Nipple
- Penis
- Waist
- Buttocks
You can easily contract scabies from touching. It is commonly spread in crowded places where you have close skin contact (schools, prisons, nursing homes etc.) bare in mind you need to have significant personal contact with an infected person for scabies to spread.
After the initial exposure of scabies, it can take up to six weeks for symptoms to appear.
Scabies is incredibly contagious, the only way to prevent it is to not have close, intimate contact with anyone. That’s not exactly realistic, so it’s best to avoid touching/sharing clothes with anyone you know that is infected until they finish treatment. Unfortunately, condoms don’t protect you from contracting scabies.
They’re scary but, easy to treat. A prescribed medication called “Scabicide” kills the mites and eggs. This is in the form of a cream.
To prevent spreading, follow doctor’s instructions.
Don’t have sex until you’ve finished treatment.
Wash everything properly.
Aidyl is a 2nd year Undergraduate Student in Psychology from Ireland. She is an intern at Willingness Clinic, has a background in Nursing Studies and is currently a Student Ambassador for Psychology in her University.