Worried about Scabies

[Tubbs600]

Doc, This is a long story but will try to be short but comprehensive. Last week, a co-worker of my girlfriend said she had contracted scabies from her mother. (They work in a regular type of office, not where close contact in prevalent, other than normal office chatter) She had been in her mother's house and her mother was diagnosed with scabies. This co-worker had been having an itch in the vaginal area for around a couple of weeks,but her doctor had told her it was a yeast infection. Upon hearing about her mother, she called her doctor, and sight unseen he prescribed the Elemite for scabies. With that background, here is my question. My girlfriend had hugged this co-worker but just in a "hello" type way, she has used the same toilet seat and the co-worker had sat in her chair for a short period of time. Other than that, no other skin to skin contact, at least not any abnormal to a working condition. My girlfriend has not shown any signs of scabies, but I realize that it could still be in the incubation period. My girlfriend and I  have sex, so I am fearful that if she has it, it's 100% sure that I will. In addition, I have OCD and have been obsessing on this for a week. I do not show signs of any infestation but imagine myself itching some. I sleep well and the itching seems to be more anxiety driven, as I show no signs of rash,etc.  I am most fearful of spreading it to my family and co-workers. In reading the internet, it seems that even slight amounts of touching someone spreads this.

So, I wonder, in your opinion, what is the likelihood that my girlfriend could have caught this from her co-worker and should I do the treatment anyway or am I probably worrying at something that has a low probability of happening. I will add, the co-worker is married and neither her husband or 2 year infant had shown any signs either.

I hope that is enough information and greatly appreciate your time in answering this.

D

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

The likelihood that your girlfriend got it is close to zero, which makes your likelihood even less.  It takes close, intimate physical contact to spread scabies.  Also, scabies is often overdiagnosed.  Anyway, if you keep thinking you have mites crawling on you, your skin is going to feel as though they're there, even though they almost certainly are not.  Check with a doctor before you worry any more about this.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[Tubbs600]

Thanks, Doctor. I will check with my doctor. Appreciate the response and helps me breathe a bit better. lol