Scabies Scabies are tiny mites that burrow underneath your skin and lay their eggs. Scabies tend to infest the warmer parts of your body such as your genital area, creases and skin folds, including your wrists, the creases of your thighs and under your arms and breasts. Scabies can easily be passed from one person to another through sexual contact and can also be passed in less conventional ways such as through sharing towels and clothing. Am I at risk for getting Scabies? Scabies can be passed through the following ways: • Having close intimate contact with someone who has scabies • Performing oral sex on your partner’s vulva, penis or anus • Having vaginal sex • Having anal sex • Sharing infested towels, bedding or clothing Scabies cannot be passed through casual contact with someone who has them. Scabies are only passed through direct contact with the infestation. There is no relationship between poor hygiene and people who contract scabies. Anyone can get scabies, regardless of their personal hygiene. How can I avoid getting Scabies? If you are sexually active and engaging in any of the listed risk activities, you are at risk for contracting scabies; however, there are ways to reduce the risk. You can……. • Talk about safer sex with your sex partners • Use a condom every time you have anal or vaginal sex • Use a condom every time you perform oral sex on your partner’s penis • Use a dental dam (made out of a condom or purchased separately) every time you perform oral sex on your partner’s vulva or anus • Avoid sharing unwashed bedding, towels or clothing with others, when possible • Avoid having sex with your partner if they are currently experiencing an outbreak of scabies. Wait until the infection is gone. How do I know if I have Scabies? While scabies are not visible to the naked eye, they will inevitably cause some very noticeable and uncomfortable symptoms in people who have become infected. People who have been infected with scabies may experience one or more of the following symptoms: • Intense itching, especially at night or after bathing, when your body is warm. • A rash on your body where the scabies have infested. • Red lines, skin irritations or lesions in skin folds or creases. How can I get a test for Scabies? You can get tested for scabies at your doctor’s office, walk-in clinic or sexual health centre. There are sexual health clinics located throughout Canada. The Canadian Federation for Sexual Health has several members that provide both testing and treatment. The services provided are confidential and youth friendly. To find a member close to you: http://cfsh.ca/ppfc/find.asp How is the test for Scabies done? Testing for scabies is the same for men and women. Diagnosing scabies can sometimes be difficult because the mites are not visible on the skin’s surface. A physical examination is done and if necessary, a skin scraping is taken and examined. How are scabies treated? Scabies are treated with a prescribed or over the counter lotion that is applied to the infested areas of your body. If you want to find out more about over the counter treatments, you can talk to your local pharmacist. Along with treatment for the infestation, the following additional steps need to be taken to ensure that you are not re-infested: • Wash all of your clothing and bedding in hot soapy water, dry clean them or place them in an air-tight bag for 1 week. • Dry clean or place in an air-tight bag for 1 week, any stuffed animals you may have on your bed. • Vacuum your furniture and the area around your bed. Any sexual partners or people that you have had close intimate contact with need to be treated as well, which may include roommates, close friends or family members. If you become re-infested with scabies, treat yourself once more following all of the steps outlined above. If you become re-infested a third time, do not treat a third time before consulting with your doctor. What happens if I get Scabies and don’t get treated? If scabies are not treated, the infection will get worse and the possibility of getting complications will increase. Scabies will not go away on their own without treatment. If left untreated, scabies can lead to a second bacterial infection from irritated skin or persistent scratching.