Scabies

Scabies; young; people; youth; sexually; transmitted; diseases; sexually transmitted diseases; sexually transmitted infections; infections;

Contents

• Signs
• Information about testing and treatment
• Prevention
• Resources

Scabies are little mites that burrow down into the skin to lay their eggs.   Scabies can be passed on by close skin to skin contact with another person. 

• Children can pass them on because of the close contact they have when they play together.
• In adults though it's often through sexual contact.
• Once they are in a household, they can easily spread to other members of the house.
• Scabies are not passed on by pets or other animals.

Signs

• The first sign may be a very itchy skin, especially after becoming warm in bed. This may be 3 or 4 weeks after contact. If you have had scabies before, the itching might start only a few days after contact (the itch is caused by an allergic reaction to the mites). It is so itchy that it is almost impossible not to scratch.
• After a few days, small blisters and scratch marks may be seen.
• Sometimes the small burrows can be seen, but often they are hidden by the scratch marks.
• A rash and itching can develop on parts of the skin which are away from where the mites are.
• Scratching can spread the mite and eggs to other parts of the body.
• In adults the mites are usually on the hands or fingers, wrists, feet, ankles, waist, genital areas and breasts. On children under 2 years old they may also be on the scalp.

Information about testing and treatment

Department of Health (South Australia) Public Health Fact Sheet - 'Scabies: prevention and treatment'
http://www.dh.sa.gov.au/pehs/PDF-files/ph-factsheet-scabies.pdf

Sexually Transmitted Diseases Service (South Australia) 'Crab lice and scabies'  
http://www.stdservices.on.net/publications/pdf/Crabs.PDF

Prevention

These little mites can be anywhere on the body. This means that a condom used during sex won't protect you. The best prevention is to make sure you don't pass them on to others by:

• getting them treated quickly
• making sure the treatment is thorough - follow the manufacturer's instructions
• making sure that you follow your doctor's instructions fully
• not having close physical contact with others until given the all clear
• letting recent sexual partners know so they can be checked out (embarrassing but it has to be done).

Resources

South Australia

• Clinic 275 (08) 8226 6025 (Sexually Transmitted Diseases Services)
  Country callers 1800 806 490.
  www.stdservices.on.net 
• ShineSA (Sexual Health Information Network & Education, South Australia)
  Sexual Healthline: Mondayto Friday 9 am to 1 pm 1300 883 793 (Country callers 1800 188 171).
  www.shinesa.org.au 
• The Second Story Youth Health Service (TSS)
  - Central: 57 Hyde St, Adelaide
  - South: 50a Beach Rd, Christies Beach
  - North: 6 Gillingham Rd, Elizabeth
  - West: 51 Bower St, Woodville
• Youth Health line
  1300 13 17 19 
• Your doctor

The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see a doctor, or ring the Youth Healthline on 1300 13 17 19 (local call cost from anywhere in South Australia).