Scabies is caused by a mite, aptly named the Human Itch Mite, that burrows in human skin and irritates it. Scabies can be transmitted through sexual contact, but also by general skin-to-skin contact with infected people. The mites need human bodies to live off of, but they can last a little while on clothing or furniture, and it’s possible but not likely to contract scabies from mites on objects.
Symptoms
The main symptom is itching. You may also be able to see the little burrow holes that look like blisters where the mites enter the skin. The mites often burrow in the folds or creases of your skin, such as in joints. Scratching your skin can cause small cuts which can get infected.
Testing and Treatment
If you notice symptoms of scabies, you should go to your doctor for confirmation. The doctor will look for signs of mite burrows in your skin, and they may swab a burrow and look at it under a microscope to confirm. They will give you a cream that kills the mites and their eggs, however this cream sometimes doesn’t work on the first try and people with certain medical conditions shouldn’t use this cream. If that is your situation, there are other medications that can be used to treat mites. But you can’t just kill the mites living on your body, you need to make sure that all the mites in your home and on your things are dead so that you don’t get re-infected. For things that can be washed, wash them with high heat (at least 122 degrees Fahrenheit or 50 degrees Celsius) for 10 minutes. For things that cannot be washed like furniture, keep the items away from people for a few days, maybe storing them in a locked shed or garage. Mites need human hosts to live, and will die if they’re isolated for 48-72 hours.
Norwegian/ Crusted Scabies
This is a type of scabies that is particularly brutal. This kind of mite usually infects people with compromised immune systems, and it is very contagious. Norwegian scabies is also called crusted scabies because thick crusts of skin containing many mites and eggs form. If you develop Norwegian scabies, you should seek immediate medical attention and aggressive treatment.