In late November I posted a discussion regarding my husbands unrelenting rash and asked if it could be a drug rash. Imohr responded that there was a possibility it could be scabies. Well, she was RIGHT! Bad news is they sent him home from hospital with them and now our aide, the dog and I have them and we have to treat ourselves, the dog, the bedding and everything else. I am furious with the doctors not reconizing this while he was hospitalized and sending him home with them so he could infect the rest of us. Took us 3 doctor's visits to have them correctly diagnosed. The dematologist asked me what I thought was the problem and I told him scabies. He said your probably right, so we'll treat all of you. He mentioned that scabies is frequently found in psychiatric hospitals. Something more to worry about.
You're welcome. I didn't even know what they were until the Dermo. told me after our second visit. Mom must have picked them up at the Hospital. Thankfully none of us got them but I treated us once anyway. Had to do Mom twice. I didn't know dogs would get them.
I don't think Hospitals want to admit to them being in residence. Our PCP and the first dermo visit - that wasn't even mentioned as a possibility.
I got them, attending a school christmas program. Only brushed against some coats. Worse that miserable. Imagine having them and wearing plastic braces --solid plastic around the side and backs of both legs. Closed, warm breeding ground. Scratched myself severely before found out what it was and treated. NEVER AGAIN.
Google it for details, but basically a little mite that burrows below the skin's surface. Causes red bumpy looking rash that itches intensely. It tends to manifest in body areas where it is close, warm, and even a bit moist. When I dealt with it treatment was a prescription med to bath thoroughly every inch of the body, then dressed inflannel pjs covering as much as possible. All bedding, towels, clothes had to be washed and rinsed in HOT water. Most miserable experience.
My mother had chiggers and it seemed the people who lived in ARK used a variety of home remedies (bacon greese, swimming pool). Got them after a slight rain while in a forest area. Nearly drove her crazy and ruined our vacation. Dr. had to remove them one by one.
My husband just took his second does of scabbies meds but don't know if it is really helping. He just can't stop scratching. Seems like the lotion the aid was using was making them worse. What remedies did you use at home for yourselves? Was it OTC?
I read that animals can't get it from you. The tick they get is different. I have not gotten it as yet so am knocking on wood.
Poor guy has had this all year. I think he may have gotten them from being in the hospital overnight the end of last year. Can't think where else he could have gotten them. If that's what he has, he must have infected many people already! Yes, I am angry about this too. One time he got a really awful case of diahhrea after a hospital stay (Dr. said it was common). Thought it would never stop until we got a terrific prescription and it stopped immediately. Hate to think of another hospital visit to bring home something else we have never experienced. The nurse started us out with a topical solution and antibiotic but neither made a dent. So she said scabbies and gave us the pills you take two one night and then two in a week. Can't see a real difference. Any suggestions would be welcome.
The prescription bath I described above did take care of the problem. However, the little critters are under the skin and it can still take a few days for the body to clear the debris away and heal the scratches innflicted because of the itching.
Brindle, I started this thread and NEVER want to relive the experience again. We were never prescribed an oral medication- whether it be an antibiotic or other med-they were all topical and presciption. The prescription is a cream (I can't think of it's name at the moment) which you have to apply all over the body a minimum of once for 2 or 3 weeks. I found the name of the med-it is Permetherin 5% cream (see mayo clinic). The first 2 treatments didn't work for either my husband or me. We both required a 3rd treatment. You have to wash and dry all bedding and clothes in very hot water and high heat to remove the mites from bedding. You should spray your mattress with a spray for killing lice and let air and then put on a zippered plastic cover for the boxspring and mattress to make sure they cannot breathe and reproduce. It took us 6-8 weeks to get rid of them from the house and that included using chemical house bombs to rid the house of the mite 3 times. I was never more miserable. Our dog did get them from us because he slept with us(vet said this was highly unusual) and underwent several topical treatments to cure him (scabies in dogs is classified as mange) so they gave him an oral tratment - ivermectin which can also be prescribed for humans but is not preferable as a treatment. All of the treatments we used were considered insecticides and/or pesticides which all carry some danger. Ivermectin is a pesticide.