thread: Scabies and/or Bird mites

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Jun 2010
    594

    Scabies and/or Bird mites

    I wasnt sure whether to post this here or in the home section as its a bit of both.

    For the last month a friend of mines husband has had a rash with itching. My friend has only started with the same rash and itching two weeks ago. They recently moved into an old house, about 6? months ago... so I guess not so recent lol. Anyway long story short... she went to the Dr who told her it could be scabies, bird mites or a viral rash...

    What can she do? They dont have kids so thats not an issue, but they are driving themselves insane trying to solve this puzzle of itchyness.

    We are all interested in anyone who has had experience dealing with scabies? With bird mites? How did you get rid of them? from bodies and from homes? How long did it take and... can you pass it on? Ive done a bit of googling tonight but the more info I can find the better.

    Thanks

  2. #2
    Registered User

    May 2011
    Adelaide
    747

    My best friend got scabies a few years back and if memory serves, the doctor gave her a cream that she had to apply pretty regularly. When your friend went to the doctor did they not give them treatment options?

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Aug 2006
    On the other side of this screen!!!
    11,129

    There is a very specific treatment for scabies, which the dr should have advised her about. Scabies tends to have a distinctive track mark, so I'm surprised the dr was not more specific? For the bird mites, I would assume they need to get the house fumigated, as often that is an environmental problem.

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Aug 2006
    On the other side of this screen!!!
    11,129

    PS I don't know about bird mites but scabies is wildly contagious. The treatment involves slathering yourself with a foul smelling lotion and keeping it on for a period of time, I think it's repeated a couple of times.

  5. #5
    Registered User
    Add sepata on Facebook

    Sep 2011
    Sydney
    615

    My sister had scabies a few years ago, and the treatment is as Marydean advised. My BIL and SIL had bird mites in their home about a year or two ago, and the house had to be fumigated. They could actually see the bird mites crawling on them (so disgusting), so if your friends haven't seen them maybe it's not that?

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Mar 2006
    7,046

    What MD said. MD is wise

    Also, Scabies is very quick to pass along so if there was a delay, I'd be more inclined to think mites/fleas. I'd try fumigating the house...

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Apr 2008
    Adelaide
    1,741

    I would request a dermatologist review.

    What MD said re scabies, the treatment is a cream applied all over then washed off 8 hours later and repeated I think 10 days later?? And washing all clothing/linen in hot water. Unlikely to be scabies as Im sure by now your friend would have them too

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Jun 2010
    594

    Wow thanks heaps for the quick replies. Ill ask her tomorrow but Im pretty sure she was meant to try some sort of lotion and if that didnt work was when the bird mites was mentioned as a plausible alternative. I wasnt too keen to get too close iykwim

  9. #9
    Registered User

    Dec 2007
    Geelong
    3,438

    DS16 had scabies a few years ago and was prescribed a lotion which was used at night, washed off in the morning then repeated after a week. Luckily no one else in the family caught it.

    Regards,
    Dianne