Struggling... fear of parasites

[Gweth7]

I have anxiety which comes and goes and lately has mostly been about parasites/infestations. It was threadworms for a while then bed bugs and currently scabies (which I didn't even know existed until a few weeks ago).

I'm mostly fine unless I'm out of routine. Last week I went away with friends, and I'm now convinced I have scabies. I worry I picked it up from the hoodie I bought at the airport and wore without washing first, or from the sofa I slept on.

I feel itchy constantly. I've been in a state of panic everytime DC cuddle me, wondering if I am passing it on.

I keep inspecting my skin and finding so many pimples, red marks, things I never knew were there which really freak me out. I often feel things crawling on my legs. I have a weird tingly/burning sensation on my hands (where scabies usually starts)

I don't know anymore if they are symptoms of scabies or anxiety.

I can't live this way. If it's scabies I don't know how I'll cope, and if it's not, well then I'm quite mentally unwell. I just want to cry.

If it’s scabies it’s treated with a cream, but it’s unlikely to be scabies. Please see GP for reassurance and help with your anxiety

You need to see the GP. They can rule out scabies and make a plan to treat your MH if that’s what it is. (MH sounds likely from what you’ve said.)

Thank you, though it makes me feel like you both think its 50/50. I really hope its not scabies.

I ready everything about it and it says symptoms take 2 to 8 weeks to show up so it would be too soon for a GP to know either way (it's been 2 days). Though I guess it also means it's too soon for me to have symptoms and they may be in my head, but who knows...

I catastrophise and worry that the cream won't work and we'll be stuck with it forever,and would feel awful putting DC through that. Covering them in chemicals and I don't even know how we would stop them putting their hands in their mouths/rubbing their eyes. They're only little.

I worry so much about contaminating others too. I've not had a proper night sleep in days :(

All of that makes it sound like it’s a MH issue. If it wasn’t you wouldn’t be reading “everything” about something you’re unlikely to have, worrying that treatment wouldn’t work or that “chemicals” could hurt your kids. Or that you’re contaminating others. None of that sounds like a proportionate response.
Please see your GP.