Please or to access all these features

Allergies and intolerances

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Itchy skin (whole family)

6 replies

Loz28 · 28/10/2026 10:01

Long story short, our eldest came home from Uni in the summer, he has eczema and was itching and alot of the sores looked infected. He managed to see a dr at a walk in centre that gave antibiotics and strong steroid cream. He also had new itchy spots and I was paranoid he had scabies. He went back at the start of Sept and my husband bought both himself, me and my other son at home cream for said scabies. We didn’t have a scabies diagnosis but we weren’t messing around. We also sorted out my eldest son in uni the same cream. Given it’s now nearly Nov, we’re still itching what the hell do we do. I’m at my wits end with all this. Could it be scabies that hasn’t worked with the Lyclear treatment. Could it be post scabies irritant. I just don’t know what to do. This is my sons hand who’s at home…I don’t have it on my hands neither does my husband. It kind of looks like dermititis that I had when I was a teenager. I just feel the drs aren’t taking this seriously enough. Last Monday, I went to a drs appointment with my husband due to this ongoing itch and he treat us both for what he said is more likely folliculitis. So we’ve both had a weeks course with no improvement. On Monday, I took my son at home and the dr gave the same antibiotic, some mild steroid/antifungal and dermol wash, without saying what he thought it could be. I’m so depressed, it’s constantly on my mind. I’m sorry I don’t have many pics. The hand pic is of my sons (at home) the other 2 pics are of my leg where the itchy spots are. We have a dog that’s regularly treated for fleas through the vet. I’ll be going back to the doctors once my son at home has finished his course of antibiotics, booking for all 3 of us. Please someone give me some light reassuring advice on this. It’s affecting my metal health 😔 I’m also cleaning everything after every use on a 60, bedding regularly, we use our own towels etc.

Itchy skin (whole family)
Itchy skin (whole family)
Itchy skin (whole family)
OP posts:
GrillaMilla · 28/10/2026 10:12

I can't see the pictures sorry.

I'm my experience, GPs aren't that great at diagnosing scabies. You need to insist on being referred to a consultant dermatologist for a proper diagnosis. Otherwise you'll be going round in circles.

Can you afford to pay for a private diagnosis?
If you know what you're dealing with, it makes it easier in a way.

Autumnalhibernationisthedream · 28/10/2026 10:13

Would a prescribed antihistamine help(I honestly don’t know but just in case)

Yogabearmous · 28/10/2026 10:14

If you are all itching it’s something you must all be sharing or using. Have you changed the washing powder ?

Oneearringlost · 28/10/2026 10:18

Have the sores been swabbed, OP?
There is something called Panton- Valentin Leukocidin ( a staphyloccal infection, diagnosed by swab and microbiology). Can be spread to other family members.
Might be worth asking for a swab?
https://www.wwl.nhs.uk/media/.leaflets/65141b6bb30390.29245179.pdf

Once diagnosed, it can be treated with v specifically-targetted antibiotics. But many GPs are not aware or ask for this. Surprisingly common, surprisingly, often missed.

https://www.wwl.nhs.uk/media/.leaflets/65141b6bb30390.29245179.pdf

Loz28 · 28/10/2026 10:38

Sorry, the images are awaiting approval? I forgot to add, around April/May my son at home had bullous impetigo, that was treated with antibiotics, my son at uni also had during the summer, when he came home. Treated with antibiotics. It cleared but it was the constant itch which made me paranoid into thinking we had scabies. Hence why we treated ourselves. Son at uni seems okay atm. I have swapped and changed washing detergent, like I always have. It’s a non bio I buy. Currently Persil non bio. If I don’t have any luck, I’ll be asking for a referral but that can take weeks or months through the NHS. It might be we do have to see a private at this rate. Honestly, I’m fed up. Maybe it’s psychological that me and my husband are itching? I don’t know. Constantly making sure everything is clean. I’m exhausted.

OP posts:
Beenaroundabit · 28/10/2026 10:43

We've had scabies recently, it's not just about cream it's washing every single item of clothing and soft furnishing you may have used/worn/sat on for some time before the cream. If you can't wash it (sofa cushions/upholstered dining chairs) then need to be wrapped in plastic bags. All your bedding needs washing at 60⁰ and tumble dried, we put plastic sheeting down on top of the mattresses for a week - second dose of cream after a week and wash all clothes and bedding again. Fycking nightmare.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread