Your GP will usually be able to diagnose scabies from the appearance of your skin, and by looking for the burrow marks that are made by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite.

However, as the scabies infection is spread very easily, it is often possible to make a confident diagnosis if more than one family member has the same symptoms.

Ink test

The burrows of scabies mites can be highlighted by using an ink test. The ink is rubbed around an area of itchy skin before being wiped off with an alcohol pad. If scabies burrows are present, some of the ink will remain and will have tracked into the burrows, showing up as a dark line.

In order to confirm the diagnosis, a skin sample may be gently scraped from the affected area so that it can be examined under a microscope for evidence of scabies mites and their eggs and faeces (stools).

Ruling out other conditions

Your GP will also want to rule out any other skin conditions that may be indicated by your symptoms, such as:

• eczema – a chronic (long-term) skin condition that causes the skin to become red, dry, cracked and itchy
• impetigo – a highly contagious bacterial infection of the surface layers of the skin

Check up

If you think you have scabies you can either see your GP or go to your nearest GUM (genito-urinary medicine) clinic, where you can be examined and receive advice and treatment.

If you do decide to treat yourself, you will need to have a full sexual health check to make sure you do not have any sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This is available from your nearest GUM clinic.

In order to prevent re-infection, it is important that all members of your household are treated, as well as any sexual partners that you have had over the last six weeks. If you have had scabies previously, anyone that you have had sex with in the previous 48 hours should be treated.

If you are embarrassed about contacting your previous sexual partners, your GP surgery may be able to inform anyone who has been exposed to scabies without giving them your identity. This service may also be available at your local GUM clinic.