Weird Itchiness

Hi Dr.

I am a 35 year old female and have unexplained itching.  I don't know why or where this idea came from but I'm worried about scabies.  I have an itchy spot on my lower back which can be extremely itchy at times to the point where I need benadryl. A few days ago I started itching really bad on my right hip and have a reddish area, it's been itching for days.  It looks like it could be made up of a few red bumps but it's hard to tell.  The most disturbing is the insane underarm itching I am having.  It's in both arms and there is no trace of a rash, dry spots, or anything.  This has been going on for days.  I've been using the same deoderant for 20 years and have had no changes to laundry detergent, soap,etc...  I have not been sexually active to make me worry about scabies however I was in the hospital 5 weeks ago and had my gallbladder removed.  I was in the hospital for 3 days because I am on coumadin and it took a few days to get it regulated.  Last night while I was watching tv I started itching all over, it may be just because I'm thinking about it but the bottom of my feet itched, hands, top of legs, etc... My questions are:

1. What are the chances of one getting scabies from being in the hospital?  I've read a few articles on google but it talks mostly about the nurses not really the patients.

2. I've read scabies may not show up in people for up to 8 weeks.  I'm in week 5 post hospital, Is it possible that the itching could start before hand and in a few weeks all the bumps and rashes will show up?   This is what I'm most concerned about.

3. I've read that you can get scabies from clothing and furniture.  If you could get it from sitting on someone's couch, in the movie theater, etc.. I would think everyone would have it.   How easily is scabies spread?


Thanks for your response.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Scabies mites live for a very short time off a warm body, so the chances that you contracted it from a hospital or from furniture are slim to none.  It sounds to me as though you have itching from thinking about scabies, not from having it.  I suggest that you treat the itch with an over-the-counter itch cream like Benadryl cream or Sarna lotion, and that you make an appointment with a skin doctor, so that you'll know what you have and not worry about something you probably don't.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff