Scabies is caused by tiny mites that burrow into the skin. These mites are too small to see but they cause an itchy rash. It’s classed as a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and in adults it’s often passed on through sex. Scabies can also be spread through any kind of close contact and from sharing infected clothing, bedding or towels. 

Scabies is not serious but it’s very infectious and needs to be treated quickly to stop other people getting infected. 

It’s completely normal if you feel embarrassed about getting scabies, but you have nothing to feel ashamed of. Scabies is very common and anyone can get it - it is not a sign of poor hygiene. 

The main symptoms of scabies are: 

  • Itching that’s worse at night. If you’ve caught scabies from having sex then the rash will be around your penis or vagina. But you can also have it between your fingers, on your wrists and ankles, under your arms or on your body and breasts.
  • A raised rash or spots. This can look like eczema. On light skin, the rash may look pink or red. On black or brown skin, it can range from pink to violet or just slightly lighter than your skin. You should be able to feel the rash even if you cannot see it very well.

You will not see the mites, but you may notice tiny lines that look like threads on your skin where they’ve burrowed. These lines will have a small, dark dot at the end.

It can take up to 8 weeks for a rash to appear after you’ve been infected with scabies.

Scabies is usually passed on through skin-to-skin contact with an infected person. This can happen during sex or through close physical contact. It can also be spread through infected bedding, clothing and towels.

Scabies can spread easily in busy environments where close contact between people happens a lot. This includes nurseries, university halls of residence or nursing homes. 

If you think you have scabies you can get checked out at one of our specialist, confidential clinics. You’ll then be prescribed treatment free of charge. 

If you’re sure it’s scabies, you could visit your pharmacist and buy over-the-counter treatment instead.
In either case you’ll be given a special cream or lotion to get rid of the mites. Apply this all over the body and repeat the treatment a week later. 

We know having scabies can be uncomfortable and even embarrassing, but we will never judge you and neither will your pharmacist. It’s just important to start treatment as soon as you can to clear it up and stop it spreading. 

Make sure the pharmacist or the sexual health expert at our clinic knows if you’re breastfeeding or pregnant so they can give you a cream that’s safe for you and your baby.

The treatment works quickly to kill the mites though the itching often carries on for up to 4 weeks. If itching carries on longer than this, contact us.

Everyone in your home needs to be treated too, even if they do not have a rash or spots. Anyone you’ve had sex with in the past 8 weeks should also be treated.

We know it can be awkward or difficult to tell previous and current partners about scabies, so we can do this by text for you. We do not give out your name. You can also call us, on 0800 328 3383, for details of this service if you're being treated elsewhere. 

While your treatment is working:

  • Wash all bedding and clothing in your household at 50C or higher on the first day of treatment.
  • Put clothing that cannot be washed in a sealed bag for 3 days, which is the time it takes for the mites to die.
  • Avoid sex or close physical contact with others until you’ve completed the full course of treatment.