These are tiny mites that are transmitted through close contact with someone who is infected - not always through sexual contact.
They cause intense itching of the affected areas, usually worse at night and sometimes the burrows of the mites can be seen with the naked eye between the finger spaces.
Spots (raised, itchy pink or red) may appear on the penis and scrotum where the mites have burrowed and irritated the skin. This is less common on the vulva in women.
We diagnose this by looking and occasionally we may pick one of the insects off and look under the microscope at it - they are harmless.
Application of a lotion you can buy over the counter or get from the clinics to all areas of the skin from the neck down twice - a week apart from each other.
Antihistamine tablets may help with itching.
Washing all clothes, towels and bedding at hottest temperature they will tolerate.
Sexual partners and all household contacts need treatment too.
