The Truth Behind Scabies

• Posted on: Feb 15 2017
• By: Barry Goldman MD

If you thought getting a few mosquito bites last summer was enough to make you go crazy, then thank your lucky stars you haven’t had scabies. Scabies is a skin condition caused by mites that get into your skin and cause it to become red, bumpy, itchy, and inflamed. Here are three things about scabies to help you better understand this skin condition. Read on to learn more.

It’s Contagious

One of the worst parts— other than the itchiness, of course— about scabies is that it is extremely contagious. If you or a loved one have scabies, make sure to stay inside and away from other people until you have been treated. Typically passed from skin-to-skin interaction, scabies can also be passed through things like bedding, clothes, and furniture. According to the American Dermatology Association, the mite that causes scabies can live anywhere from 48-72 hours without human contact.

It Doesn’t Segregate

Unlike other skin conditions that only inflict a particular demographic, scabies can inflict individuals of all ages, skin types, and races— so if you think that you are immune to scabies, you are unfortunately mistaken.

It’s Fairly Easily Diagnosable

Another thing to know about scabies is that with the help of Dr. Barry Goldman, it can be easily diagnosed. To correctly diagnose it, Dr. Goldman will scrape some skin cells off of your skin and look at them under a microscope to see if you have scabies. If you are diagnosed, they can be treated with a prescription cream or oral antibiotic.

Scabies isn’t a skin condition that can cause you to itch yourself crazy. If you think you have scabies or if you have recently been in close contact with someone who does, contact Dr. Barry Goldman today to get treated!

Posted in: Medical Dermatology