Are Tiny Itchy Bumps On Skin Signs Of Scabies?

Posted on Sun, 1 May 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 1 May 2016 Answered on

Thu, 16 Jun 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I have had itching especially at night alokg with tiny bumps. I did not find a aingle flear or a bed bug at home. I think itbmaybbe scabies but docsaidwas hives

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (25 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Acute urticaria

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the query.
Probably you have developed acute urticaria.
It is an allergic condition.
Wheals develop and disappear within 5 to 6 hours.
I treat such cases with a combination of oral antihistamines and topical mild steroid lotion.
Take cetrizine tablet daily in night and apply desonide lotion twice a day for a week.
This should help you.
Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (11 hours later)

Ty, I will attach some photod of it and some ober counter solutions i used. Last night 3 very itchy bumps on scrotum. 10 hrs earlier i got three other bumps on the end of penis. Secrete clear fluid and do not itch. Blackhead came out, ive always had a blackhead there but this time it swelled up.
I used aloe vera, tea tree oil, sulfur soap however due to no medication. U used maliseb for animals when showering.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Scabies

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the photographs.
You have scabies infection.
5 % permethrin cream to be applied in night all over body and washed off in morning is treatment of choice.
A single application is enough.
Take care that all the family members must be treated else infection will spread.
Take an antihistamine tablet to control itch.
Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (46 hours later)

Final question, I went to another Dermatologist. I showed him the bumps on my penis and on the scrotum. He definitely said the same that I have scabies. I was given ivermectin and the permethrin cream. However I obtained my pathology results today and it stated that it is consistent with urticaria.

I'm confused. in 3 days I have my appt with my pcp where I am requesting blood work. will the blood work diagnose this?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Scabies can cause urticaria

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Scabies is caused by mite.
When this mite enters skin it causes an allergic reaction and hence you develop itch.
Urticaria is the name of a condition where any allergen can give rise to itch.
In other words even scabies can cause urticaria.
I hope you understood.
Blood tests are of no use in diagnosing scabies.
The mite doesn't enter blood.
Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar