scabies

I am a nurse and I was exposed to scabies. I only touched the patient for 15 seconds to get her pulse but now I can't stop itching I can't tell if I am itchy because I have scabies or because I am panicking that I have scabies. I don't have any rash as of yet but I am so anxious. I itch everywhere which is unscabies like because it is usually only in skin folds and the groin and stuff but I am still freaking out.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It can be due to the anxiety of having a scabies infection that is causing these symptoms. It is characterized by intense itching, usually at night and by small insect-type bites lesions on the skin. Diagnosis of scabies is made by scraping the skin and viewing the material under a microscope to see the characteristic mite or eggs.

So please get these tests done.
It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.