If you believe that you have scabies, it is important that you visit your physician for confirmation of a scabies diagnosis. Your doctor should be able to diagnose it just by looking at your skin. Specifically, he or she will look for lines and bumps that are caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite burrowing into your skin. It should be noted that scabies can spread very rapidly, so if more than one family member describes the same symptoms, it is even possible to diagnose without inspecting the skin.
Sciabies Bites Symptoms:
Scabies bites symptoms are generally caused by direct contact with the infestation through skin to skin contact.
A physician will want to make sure that you do not have a different skin condition. Impetigo, a bacterial skin infection that is highly contagious, and eczema can present with the same symptoms. Hence, it is possible that a number of tests will have to be conducted.
The Ink Test:
An ink test can be used to identify the burrows of the scabies mite. Here, a physician will rub ink on a patch of skin where you feel an itch, and then wipe it off with a pad of alcohol. If there is a scabies burrow, some of the ink will not wipe off, because it will have gone inside the burrows. It will look like a dark line on your skin. This is usually sufficient for a scabies diagnosis.
Microscopic Examination:
It may be that a further confirmation will be required, however. If so, the physician will gently scrape a piece of your skin off from the area where you have the itch. This can then be microscopically examined to confirm if scabies mites, feces, and eggs are present.
A Physician Checkup:
If you believe that you have scabies, you must seek medical attention. This is particularly important if you believe that you have genital scabies. If your partner has received such a diagnosis, you must also visit a physician. You do always have the option of treating scabies yourself, but it is important to make sure you do not have a sexually transmitted disease (STD) as well.
Treatment for Scabies:
Scabies is highly contagious and if you have it, your other household members will probably have it too. Additionally, any person with whom you have had sex over the past six weeks is likely to be also infected. All will require treatment, therefore. While it may feel embarrassing to contact sexual partners about an infection, it is important that you do so regardless. Alternatively, you can ask the physician to do it for you.
Sexual Health Clinics:
If you believe you have genital scabies, you may want to go to a sexual health clinic, many of which have walk-in facilities. You will have to provide some personal details when you go, although these will be treat 100% confidentiality. In fact, they will not even be passed on to your physician unless you consent to that.
Before you can receive a genital scabies diagnosis, you must tell them when your last sexual encounter was, and whether you used a condom. They will also ask whether you have had an STD before, and whether you are currently on medication. It is likely that the clinic will also offer you a full STD check.
