My Boyfriend was told he had scabies, but I've been with him for a long time and why haven't I caught them

Question

The doctors just looked looked at his bites for a sec. and told him he had scabies, I don't show any symptoms though, yet now everyones blaming me. The nurse said that I could be immuned..but I read that it's impossible to be immuned, is that true? Could he have something else and the doctors just screwed up? If is so contagious why don't I show symptoms?
What should I do?

Answer 1

Tim O'Toole is totally wrong in so many ways.

What is scabies?
Scabies is an infestation of the skin with the microscopic mite Sarcoptes scabei. Infestation is common, found worldwide, and affects people of all races and social classes. Scabies spreads rapidly under crowded conditions where there is frequent skin-to-skin contact between people, such as in hospitals, institutions, child-care facilities, and nursing homes.

What are the signs and symptoms of scabies infestation?
Pimple-like irritations, burrows or rash of the skin, especially the webbing between the fingers; the skin folds on the wrist, elbow, or knee; the penis, the breast, or shoulder blades.
Intense itching, especially at night and over most of the body.
Sores on the body caused by scratching. These sores can sometimes become infected with bacteria.
How did I get scabies?
By direct, prolonged, skin-to-skin contact with a person already infested with scabies. Contact must be prolonged (a quick handshake or hug will usually not spread infestation). Infestation is easily spread to sexual partners and household members. Infestation may also occur by sharing clothing, towels, and bedding.

Who is at risk for severe infestation?
People with weakened immune systems and the elderly are at risk for a more severe form of scabies, called Norwegian or crusted scabies.

How long will mites live?
Once away from the human body, mites do not survive more than 48-72 hours. When living on a person, an adult female mite can live up to a month.

Did my pet spread scabies to me?
No. Pets become infested with a different kind of scabies mite. If your pet is infested with scabies, (also called mange) and they have close contact with you, the mite can get under your skin and cause itching and skin irritation. However, the mite dies in a couple of days and does not reproduce. The mites may cause you to itch for several days, but you do not need to be treated with special medication to kill the mites. Until your pet is successfully treated, mites can continue to burrow into your skin and cause you to have symptoms.

How soon after infestation will symptoms begin?
For a person who has never been infested with scabies, symptoms may take 4-6 weeks to begin. For a person who has had scabies, symptoms appear within several days. You do not become immune to an infestation.

How is scabies infestation diagnosed?
Diagnosis is most commonly made by looking at the burrows or rash. A skin scraping may be taken to look for mites, eggs, or mite fecal matter to confirm the diagnosis. If a skin scraping or biopsy is taken and returns negative, it is possible that you may still be infested. Typically, there are fewer than 10 mites on the entire body of an infested person; this makes it easy for an infestation to be missed.

Can scabies be treated?
Yes. Several lotions are available to treat scabies. Always follow the directions provided by your physician or the directions on the package insert. Apply lotion to a clean body from the neck down to the toes and left overnight (8 hours). After 8 hours, take a bath or shower to wash off the lotion. Put on clean clothes. All clothes, bedding, and towels used by the infested person 2 days before treatment should be washed in hot water; dry in a hot dryer. A second treatment of the body with the same lotion may be necessary 7-10 days later. Pregnant women and children are often treated with milder scabies medications.

Who should be treated for scabies?
Anyone who is diagnosed with scabies, as well as his or her sexual partners and persons who have close, prolonged contact to the infested person should also be treated. If your health care provider has instructed family members to be treated, everyone should receive treatment at the same time to prevent reinfestation.

How soon after treatment will I feel better?
Itching may continue for 2-3 weeks, and does not mean that you are still infested. Your health care provider my prescribe additional medication to relieve itching if it is severe. No new burrows or rashes should appear 24-48 hours after effective treatment.


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1.There is no such thing as being immune to this parasite.
2.You can not be blamed for them if you do not have them.
3. The bugs can be on towels and blankets too so make sure they are well washed with hot water, at least three times each.

Answer 2

Very nasty little things. If she does not have any of the symptoms yet it is very possible that she is not yet infested. It would be very smart for her to stay away from her boyfriend for a couple of days, in the very least no sex! As for the house, if the mites do not have a host then they can last only for a couple of days. The best thing would be to leave the house for 2-3 days and take all the linens, towels, anything that they touch regularly like that to a washateria. Borax is the one thing that kills scabies so putting that in with the detergent and washing on the hottest cycle will kill the eggs and certainly any live mites. If he did not get a prescription to get rid of them from his body then he needs to, and don't let him in your house until he has used it. As for the couches they just need to be left unused for at least a week, that will insure that there are not any mites or eggs left alive. Scabies really are a nightmare, but it is much better to be overly cautious and get rid of them than to keep getting re-infested over and over again. A relative brought them into our house when I was about 10 years old and I remember it sucked. Good luck!

Answer 3

Scabies are caused by a mite, that you can easiuly pick up from bedding etc. I got a case of it once from the coverlet of a bed in a hotel in London where I stayed. It is very easy to catch. You can't be immune to it. It sounds like the bite marks were still there when he was examined but the mites had probably been killed off before that, so you didn't get infected. If you had sex with him while he had live mites in his pubic region, you most likely would have gotten them. No worries - they are easily cured with a simple shampoo with a pesticide based shampoo. Wash and launder all bedding materials and carpets, clothes, etc. in areas where the person has been to get rid of all eggs.

Answer 4

I also am in the same kind of boat! I have chlamydia but my husband does not, and we don't know how this happend. I have not been with any one else and him either. but yet I have an STD. to answer your question I caught that a long time ago from a affected couch from a friends house it is very contagous if I remember right there is a lotion you rub on your body after a hot bath, symptoms are you are very itchy in hot spots like between your fingers/toes and spreads else were after so long.

Answer 5

it can be caught by shaking an infected persons hand, mabye your bites have not developed yet. anyone he came into contact with may have to get treated. i caught them in the 80's while in the air force, treatment really sucks good luck, they are bugs no immunity exist

Answer 6

Go to www.webmd.com and it will answer your questions and concerns.

ALSO, I HAVE REPORTED TIM O'TOOL for his vulgar, insulting remarks, not just to you, but others as well. I suggest you do the same! (read his Q & A page)

Answer 7

It IS your fault. Scabies comes from having a vagina that is NOT well groomed!!! Trim that bush, and he'll be cured!!!

Answer 8

KEEP TRYING AND YOU WILL GET THEM