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Out in America > Home > Safe Sex Guide

SafeSexGuide
SCABIES
SCABIES

Also known as: Sarcoptes scabiei

How You Get It (Exposure):

Although the infection can spread between partners during sex, any form of close contact is more than enough for the bugs to get from one person to another. You can even catch it if you share clothing, towels or a bed with an infected person. It generally requires longer contact with an infected individual than just a handshake. But, this is one of those STDs that you can bring home from the gym when all you really did was work out. This is a common infection in children who catch it at the playground or in preschool. If you come in close contact with a child with scabies, you can catch it too.

Warning Signs (Symptoms):

Intense itching, which worsens at night.

Getting Checked Out (Diagnosis) / Treatment:

Doctors often diagnose the infection by seeing the burrows the bug makes under your skin (red or white swollen lines) or via a skin biopsy or scraping. Don't expect to see bugs crawling on your skin.

Scabies is easy to treat at home. Over-the-counter lotions containing Lindane (Kwell, Nix, Rid) will kill the mites, but you must follow the directions carefully. You must leave the lotion on for eight hours (most people do an overnight treatment) because the bugs are under your skin and it takes time for the medication to reach them. Don't forget to wash all linens and clothing in hot water and then run them through a dryer on high heat to kill any bugs still hiding out. Any partners must also be treated so that they don't give the bug right back to you. Occasionally, you must re-treat yourself a week later. Don't expect the itching to subside immediately after treatment: it can last for a week or more.

If Left Untreated:

Sores can become infected when scratched. Although scabies is a relatively minor STD and is often little more than a nuisance, it often indicates that you are infected with another and potentially more serious STD. When you have one STD be sure to ask your doctor to check you for others.

Prevention:

If your partner is infected, be sure to wash all clothing and linens in hot water and dry with high heat to kill any remaining bugs.

Prevalence:

Scabies can be found worldwide and is not more prevalent in one socioeconomic group than another.


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