Scabies Treatment
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Scabies is an infestation caused by a mite that burrows just under the skin surface. At first you will have intense itching, which is worse at night. You may then notice little bumps and tiny, pencil-like lines (burrows); these usually develop between the fingers and toes and on the elbows and wrists, but may occur anywhere on your skin. Scabies is troublesome rather than serious. Anyone can catch it, regardless of age and personal hygiene, through any type of skin-to-skin contact or simply by sharing bedding, towels, or clothing.
Make an appointment to see your doctor if you are not sure that you have scabies or you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if a baby under 6 months has scabies.
Scabies Treatment
For best results, start scabies treatment as soon as the symptoms appear. This may be anything up to 8 weeks after infestation, and the itching can last for several weeks.
- Use a cream or lotion for treating scabies.
- You can relieve itching with a skin cream or W0 lotion and/or take an antihistamine if itching is making it difficult for you to sleep.
- Make sure other people in the home and close friends are treated, even if they are not showing signs of scabies, because they can have the infestation without symptoms.
- Scabies mites can live for 1-2 days in clothes and bedding. To kill the mites, wash clothes, bed linen, and towels in hot water and dry in a tumble dryer if possible. Wash personal items such as hairbrushes as well.
- Vacuum carpets, rugs, furniture, and cushions because they may harbour the scabies mites. Use a disposable bag in your vacuum cleaner and discard the bag afterwards. If you have a bagless vacuum cleaner, empty it and wash it out after use.
Treating Scabies
Scabies lotions usually contain the antiparasitic drugs malathion or permethrin. Ask your pharmacist to suggest a suitable lotion or cream. Apply the treatment to your entire body (but not your head and face). Trim your nails short and apply it under your nail tips. Babies under 2 years and elderly people may need their face and scalp to be treated as well. Leave the lotion on overnight, then wash it off in the morning. A second application a week later is recommended.
Antihistamines can help to relieve itching. Sedative types make you drowsy, so are particularly useful at night.
Creams: Crotamiton cream or calamine lotion help to relieve itching.
Relieving itching: Itching can persist for several weeks after the infestation has cleared, so you may need to continue using anti-itching cream.
Arrange to see your doctor if you are still itching more than 2 weeks after finishing your course of treatment or the rash becomes sore and starts to ooze.
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