I am 29. Does severe itching without rash indicate scabies?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

I am sorry you are dealing with this; itching like that can be really distressing, especially when you have seen others around you go through scabies. Given your close household exposure and the fact that two roommates were recently treated, scabies is definitely a strong possibility, even if you do not see a rash yet.

In scabies, itching can start before any visible rash appears, especially in someone who has never had it before. The itch is usually intense and worse at night because the mites are more active then. Over the next several days, you might notice small red bumps, tiny blisters, or thin wavy lines (burrows). Common areas to check carefully include between the fingers, wrists, elbows, armpits, around the waistline, groin, buttocks, inner thighs, nipples, and ankles. In men, itching of the scrotum or penis can be an early clue.

Because you live in the same house, it is important to know that scabies spreads through prolonged skin-to-skin contact, and symptoms can start two to six weeks after exposure, or much sooner if exposure is heavy. Even if a rash does not show up immediately, the itching alone in your situation is enough to be suspicious.

• For treatment, use Permethrin 5 % cream and apply it from the neck down to the soles of the feet, especially between the webs of the fingers and the armpits.

• Leave it overnight or keep it on for eight to twelve hours, then wash it off, and repeat after seven days.

• All household members should ideally be treated at the same time to prevent reinfestation.

• Clothing, bedding, and towels used in the last three days should be washed in hot water and dried on high heat, or sealed in a bag for at least 72 hours.

• After showering, apply petroleum jelly on the whole body for moisturisation.

• For itching, take 10 milligrams of Cetirizine at bedtime, or you can take it twice a day if needed.

I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at iCliniq.

Thank you.