Scabies survivors detail 'nightmare' post-scabies syndrome - watch out for these signs

A group of scabies survivors have detailed their experiences with the 'nightmare' post-scabies syndrome.

Now, the NHS explains that scabies is an itchy rash caused by mites, which is spread through close skin contact - and anyone can get it.

The two main symptoms of scabies include intense itching, especially at night and a raised rash or spots, which may look red with the body warning that it needs to be treated quickly to stop it spreading.

Post-scabies syndrome, however, is an allergic reaction to dead mite debris and can cause itching for weeks or months, Very Well Health notes.

The experts warn: "If you have scabies, it can take about four weeks for medications, known as scabicides, to kill the mites. If you're still itching afterward, you may need more treatments.

"If you're still itching after successful treatment, you might have post-scabies syndrome. This reaction can last weeks or even months, but you're not contagious during this time."

But what are the other signs, as discussed by scabies survivors?

Scabies survivors have opened up about their experiences with post-scabies syndrome (Getty Stock Images)

Well, many have taken to social media to open up about their experiences as one Reddit user revealed five post-scabies symptoms they personally experienced.

Up first was hot showers no longer agitating or causing extreme itchiness with the second being bumps or superficial 'burrows' which resolve within a few days.

Third is that itching has not increased but has stayed the same, as they noted 'this can be situational'.

"Is a piece of clothing bothering you? Is the heat making you itchy? Are your allergies more sensitive now?" they asked.

Fourth is night time itching not being as severe as before.

"Meaning, you are able to sleep," they clarified, adding: "This can be case by case - some still need to take Benadryl to sleep even though they are cured, so there’s some flexibility here. "There have been cases of cross reactions to other mites (think dust mites) after the immune system experiences scabies so consider you may be in it for the long haul."

And the fifth sign was crawling sensations which 'come and go'.

"This can last for some time so this is not a good indicator of infection. Permethrin, ivermectin, benzyl benzoate—these are all neurotoxic chemicals and some can cause your nervous system to overreact after you’ve used them too much," they concluded.

"Some have even experienced prolonged itching (up to a year) after using topicals several times. For me personally it’s triggered by certain fabrics and tight clothing."

A scabies rash can appear anywhere, but is common between the fingers (NHS)

A second Reddit user explained that they experienced itching 'especially at night', as well as 'weird red bumps' before going to the doctor and getting diagnosed with scabies.

They used prescribed creams and other medication to get rid of it, only to find 'new bumps' starting to appear months later, along with some itching which was 'not as bad' as it was at the very start.

They did another round of medication and 'everything went away again', but the cycle simply 'repeated itself' once again with the individual experiencing 'new spots, some itching, not bad enough to keep me up at night but still quite annoying'.

"I honestly cannot tell whether this is indeed new scabies or my skin literally being a mess due to all the treatments it’s been through," they lamented.

"It feels like a never ending nightmare praying for the day it will be over."

Tiny mites lay eggs in the skin, leaving lines with a dot at one end (NHS)

And a third added: "I have been experiencing lots of long term effects of scabies and/or the treatments."

This person had a similar cyclical issue to the second person, as they explained: "I decided to just commit to believing in post-scabies and have been riding it out since then, however I've had a lot of weird skin things happening which I cannot find any information about being related to scabies."

They revealed they were experiencing 'an explosion of itchy red bumps', which were a 'living hell' as well as the occasional 'blister'.

The Redditor also said they still have the occasional 'invisible itch' every now and then.

"My skin has felt different since the start, where it feels more sensitive to touch, but occasionally if I am having an especially itchy day, it will feel like I can feel every fibre of my clothes/bed sheets and it will make me itch very very badly," they explained.

"I also get itchy if I over-moisturise, which is strange since at the beginning of this the heavy moisturisers really helped the itch."

It's best to talk to your doctor if you suspect you have post-scabies syndrome (Getty Stock Images)

Thirdly, they discussed occasionally getting a 'bright red, sunburn like rash' on their neck and chest.

"I concluded this was a heat/light reaction from residual skin/hair products. It has happened a couple of times when I have worn a polyester T-shirt - however one T-shirt that I thought triggered it I have since been able to wear with no problems. Another T-shirt felt so rough and prickly and caused such a bad reaction that I will probably never try wearing it again."

On top of that, they also found themselves waking up 'with an itchy, warm feeling between my jaw and my neck and a slight rash'.

They shared a number of 'underlying issues' they reckoned may be behind such symptoms but ultimately concluded: "I believe I've been suffering from post-scabies which is finally improving, but that there may be other, secondary issues going on."

Now, such experiences are just reported symptoms from scabies survivors and not everyone may experience the symptoms the same, so it's best to talk to your doctor if you think you have post-scabies syndrome to discuss possible treatment.

You can find out more about scabies on the NHS website here.