know anything about scabies?

[sarahomalley]

This is gross. 2 weeks before my wedding one of my bridesmaids told me she had scabies and that she was being treated. I haven't thought anything of it until today. 3 days ago I had what I thought was a rash caused by my bra strap rubbing and irritating my skin on my back. It was like a cluster of acne. I normally don't get acne, especially on my back. But today I asked the nurse practioner at the clinic I work at what she thought it was and she told me it could be a staph infection from tanning and she gave me some cream to apply. However, I told my husband about it and he told me that when he was in the bathroom earlier today he noticed small bumps on his penis. So, he called his aunt who is a medical assistant in the town we live in, and he explained the rashes to her. She told him it was scabies. She had the doctor she works with call in prescriptions for us for the cream you are supposed to apply from head to toe. After getting over the initial disgust with the whole thing and looking online, I'm confused about treatment. You are supposed to wash your laundry and bedsheets in hot hot water and dry them 2 days before treatment. Then apply this cream before bed and shower in the morning. If you are doing the laundry thing 2 days before bed, aren't re-infesting the laundry before you start treament? Anyone know what the heck I'm supposed to do here?

[WhiskeyGirl]

I would say, see YOUR doctor and get them to figure it out and explain treatment to you. That would be my first step! Good luck, I've never had it and I sure don't want to. In fact I've hardly heard about it. Wishing you and your DH the best.

[AngelinLove]

I have heard different things about it. My brother and his wife both had it when they met...they had caught it from previous relationships...from what they have told me in the past...it is viral and never goes away...kinda like herpes, but others have told me that you can treat it and it will never come back. I am assuming that by saying you should wash your sheets in advance...which still doesn't make sense, but that they don't want you to use those sheets again....I dunno, becaucse then, whatever sheets you were using would be contaminated and they would carry the "germs"....I guess just good luck and call your doctor for more specific advice.

[sarahomalley]

Ok I guess I am supposed to wash my sheets and laundry tonight, I can put my sheets back on my bed and then before I got to bed lather up with the cream and wash it off in the morning. Apparently, that should be it as far as laundry goes. Having the cream on and going to bed on clean sheets should be ok. I feel so yucky and dirty!!!!

[Amber818]

I also have never had nor do I know anyone that has had it, I am sorry. I did some quick research online and I do not believe it is an STD or anything like that. It seems you can get it from close contact with people (i.e. hugs, etc) So, apparently you got it from your bridesmaid and gave it to your husband because you share a house, bed etc.

I think it is important to wash your sheet now and probably a couple times a day until it heals.

Here is what I found out for treatment:


Although you cannot cure a case of scabies without prescription medication from a doctor, there are certain things you can do at home to prevent reinfecting yourself or your family.
Wash all clothing, towels, and bed linens in hot water. Do not allow air drying. You should use the dryer.
Use the medication as prescribed and instructed. Do not use it more than instructed because you risk causing chemical irritation of your skin.
You can also treat itching with antihistamine medications such as diphenhydramine (http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=9142) (Benadryl).
Cut your nails and clean under them thoroughly to remove any mites or eggs that may be present.
Vacuum your rugs, furniture, and bedding and throw the vacuum cleaner bag away when finished.

[Kacie_bride]

Just an fyi..you can also get it from pets. You're right Amber, it is not an STD. It is very contagious. It is a mite. In pets it is called sarcoptic mange. It is not like red mange where they loose their hair. They get the same kind of bumps you are having. The reason they call it sarcoptic mange is because it is caused by the mite called Sarcoptes scabiei. Don't feel that bad about it. I got my dog from the pound and I found out that she had it after we brought her home. I got it as well! I didn't even take all those precautions and I used over the counter stuff. It went away.

[Valmai]

Its not virul its a parasite - thats why u have to wash ur bedding etc cos they will infect u again from the clothes. Good luck with it and hope it clears up quickly xxx

[hummingbird521]

This is gross. 2 weeks before my wedding one of my bridesmaids told me she had scabies and that she was being treated. I haven't thought anything of it until today. 3 days ago I had what I thought was a rash caused by my bra strap rubbing and irritating my skin on my back. It was like a cluster of acne. I normally don't get acne, especially on my back. But today I asked the nurse practioner at the clinic I work at what she thought it was and she told me it could be a staph infection from tanning and she gave me some cream to apply. However, I told my husband about it and he told me that when he was in the bathroom earlier today he noticed small bumps on his penis. So, he called his aunt who is a medical assistant in the town we live in, and he explained the rashes to her. She told him it was scabies. She had the doctor she works with call in prescriptions for us for the cream you are supposed to apply from head to toe. After getting over the initial disgust with the whole thing and looking online, I'm confused about treatment. You are supposed to wash your laundry and bedsheets in hot hot water and dry them 2 days before treatment. Then apply this cream before bed and shower in the morning. If you are doing the laundry thing 2 days before bed, aren't re-infesting the laundry before you start treament? Anyone know what the heck I'm supposed to do here?


oh sarahomalley, i feel for you both. but i wanted to let you know that scabies is not an STD. it is as everyone said a mite. i myself had it years ago and gave it to my husband (at the time) and my daughter of 10 years old. i caught it at the nursing home i worked at. from the residents and from the staff. at first i was told it was chiggers from camping. but it wasn't. it is highly contagious and it spreads from scratching it and then scratching somewhere else on your body. if not careful you scratch a lot in your sleep unaware of it. do as the doctor said and apply the cream to yourself and let your FH apply it to himself as well. wash all bed linens on the hottest water temp available and dry them on the hottest as well. use bleach too. take your pillows and if unable to wash them place them in airtight plastic bags for 24 hours. treat the house and furniture as if you had head lice. the mites cannot survive without a host after 24 hours. remember the cream you are using is a form of poison. do not use more than recommended by the doctor. but this should take care of the problem. it is somewhat common to catch this if you work in a hospital or nursing home. at least this is what i was told while working at the nursing home. good luck and don't stress over it to much. remember it is curable and should not reappear.

[LaceyinPgh]

It is just a little mite. People get them all the time. Usually though they like to burrow in places like the arms and between the fingers. It sounds like your little guys got lost. :bbmrgreen: It isn't gross and your aren't dirty. So don't worry about it.Trust me, I hang out with teachers between us you would be hard pressed to not find at least one of us who have had scabies, head lice, pink eye, ect. Little kids just love to pass those things around and we get in the cross fire.

[MOB Karen]

Just remember, Sarah, you are not dirty!!!! It could happen to anybody!! Good luck, sweetie!!

What is scabies?

Scabies is an infestation of the skin with the microscopic mite Sarcoptes scabei. Infestation is common, found worldwide, and affects people of all races and social classes. Scabies spreads rapidly under crowded conditions where there is frequent skin-to-skin contact between people, such as in hospitals, institutions, child-care facilities, and nursing homes.

Can scabies be treated?

Yes. Several lotions are available to treat scabies. Always follow the directions provided by your physician or the directions on the package insert. Apply lotion to a clean body from the neck down to the toes and left overnight (8 hours). After 8 hours, take a bath or shower to wash off the lotion. Put on clean clothes. All clothes, bedding, and towels used by the infested person 2 days before treatment should be washed in hot water; dry in a hot dryer. A second treatment of the body with the same lotion may be necessary 7-10 days later. Pregnant women and children are often treated with milder scabies medications.

How soon after treatment will I feel better?

Itching may continue for 2-3 weeks, and does not mean that you are still infested. Your health care provider may prescribe additional medication to relieve itching if it is severe. No new burrows or rashes should appear 24-48 hours after effective treatment.