Scabies

Scabies mites are “jumpers:” In this case, it’s possible that scabies mites are being confused with fleas.  In reality, scabies mites cannot jump or fly, and actually move very slowly.  They are still successful in moving from person to person when there is protracted contact, or by living in bedding or upholstery until the next human host comes along.

Only dirty people get scabies: Because cleanliness is so heavily emphasized in the treatment of scabies, some people assume that only those with poor hygiene are at risk of getting scabies.  In reality, even the cleanest people and environments can get scabies if someone carrying it comes into contact with them.  Many people who live in a less than hygienic environment never get scabies, and many who are scrupulously clean get it anyway.  There is no question however, that thorough cleaning is imperative if you want to get rid of scabies mites once someone in your household has contracted them.

Scabies is a sexually transmitted disease:  Although it is entirely possible to get scabies during sexual intercourse, it is not a sexually transmitted disease.  A great many people get it without being involved in sexual activity and children and infants are among the most susceptible. Of course, sexual activity is an ideal time to contract scabies because of protracted close contact. In addition, men can sometimes show scabies symptoms in the genital area, further contributing to the myth that it is sexually transmitted.

You can get scabies from animals: While you might get scabies mites from your dog, they are not the same kind of mites that will burrow under your skin.  You might experience some brief irritation on the surface of your skin, but the mites that live on some animals cannot survive on a human, so you shouldn’t have any longer-term effects.

Once you’ve had scabies, you won’t get it again: Scabies is not at all like chicken pox in this respect.  While a great many people will never have it again if they treat it properly, almost anyone can get it again when exposed to a carrier.  In fact, some are very susceptible and get it over and over again.  This is especially true if not all members of a household are treated, or the environment hasn’t been thoroughly cleaned, so scabies mites can “make the rounds” again.

Permethrin causes a rash on most people:  Permethrin is the most common treatment of scabies.  It is a topical cream that is applied to the whole body from the neck down and washed off after about 8 hours.  This is usually repeated about three times as a course of treatment.  While a few people have experienced an adverse reaction to permethrin, the vast majority of those who use it don’t have any side effects.

Scabies mites are “blood feeders:” Some envision scabies mites as leech-like creatures that suck your blood, but in fact, they stay very close to the surface of your skin.  Most of those affected never experience any bleeding at all, unless they happen to scratch too deeply in response to the itching. Even though scabies mites burrow, they tend to stay on the top layer of skin. Since they are so tiny, they seem to have no need to go deeper.

Adults can’t get scabies above the neck: This myth has probably arisen for two reasons. The first is because treatment with permethrin is specifically for below the neck.  This is not because there can be no scabies infestation above the neck; it is because permethrin can be dangerous if it comes into contact with the eyes, mouth or mucus membranes, so doctors recommend applying it below the neck only just to be safe.  The other reason is that infants are far more likely to have scabies symptoms on their face and scalp than adults are.  Just because it is less likely doesn’t mean that it never happens, however. While adults usually experience symptoms primarily below the neck, a minority has them on the scalp and face and need to use treatments other than permethrin in those areas.

These are just some of the most common myths and misconceptions about scabies.  The more people understand what it really is and what its causes are, the more they can do to prevent it when possible, and successfully treat it. Before acting on information you get from your friends or unreliable sources, check with your doctor.

There are a number of myths and urban legends about scabies. It’s best to talk to your doctor before acting on any of them.