DEAR DR. DONOHUE: For almost two weeks I had the itchiest fingers. I didn’t see anything, so I thought it might be the soap I was using. I changed soap and laundry detergent, but the itching persists.

I spoke with my neighbor who said I might have scabies. I almost fainted. I am writing to you to see what can be done. Please don’t use my name. I don’t want anyone to know. Could I have caught this from our two dogs? — Anon.

ANSWER: Calm down. Scabies doesn’t make you a pariah. It’s something that can happen to royalty as well as the rest of us. You don’t know for sure if you have scabies. Don’t go off the deep end on your neighbor’s diagnosis. You must see the family doctor.

The scabies mite is a tiny creature, barely at the limits of visibility. It’s transmitted from one person to another through close contact. The mite doesn’t live long on inanimate objects, only about a day to a day and a half. It’s not likely for people to pick it up from doorknobs, books or any nonliving source.

You didn’t get it from your dogs, if you have it. Animals have their own mites that can be transferred to humans. But those mites live only for a few days, and the female of those mite species cannot lay eggs on humans.

Intense itching is the prominent scabies symptom. Itching intensifies at night. The sides of the fingers, the finger webs, the wrists, the backs of the elbows, the skin under the arms and the male genitals are places favored by scabies. Although it’s hard to see the mite, the mite tunnel is often visible. It’s created by the female mite and is the place where she lays her eggs. The tunnels are thin red, gray or brown lines.

Treatment can be counted on to rid people of the mites. Permethrin cream and oral ivermectin are two dependable medicines. Be forewarned. Itching often continues after the mite has been eliminated. It comes from a persistent allergic reaction. Antihistamines can control it.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am a male, 83. I have had a hemorrhoid operation. Recently, partly from standing all day as a host in a museum, I realized there was a small protrusion in the rectum. Is there anything I can do to get rid of it? I do use fiber and a stool softener every day. Hooray, we have the same great first name. — P.M.

ANSWER: Keep up the fiber and stool softener. That small protrusion might be another hemorrhoid. You can’t do anything on your own. You have to let a doctor see what the protrusion is.

I like the name Paul, too.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am in my 90s and in full control of my mental faculties. As a little girl I was troubled with canker sores. The doctor gave me a smallpox vaccination, and I have never had a canker sore since. Do you believe me? When I tell others, they look at me like I am a loony. — S.B.

ANSWER: At one time, smallpox vaccination was a treatment for many conditions other than the prevention of smallpox. The theory was that the vaccine stimulated the immune system, which could then fight off things like canker sores. Smallpox has been eradicated. Doctors have no access to the vaccine. The practice has died.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My boyfriend, 55, spends more than $600 a month on vitamins. This sounds weird to me. How about to you? — E.L.

ANSWER: I have many letters from readers saying they spend similar amounts for vitamins. Few people in Canada and the United States have vitamin deficiencies. A balanced diet provides us with all the vitamins we need.

Your friend is needlessly spending far too much money on vitamins. He ought to check to see he’s not overdosing with them.

Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Readers may also order health newsletters from www.rbmamall.com.

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