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.
See your doctor first
* You are not sure that you have scabies
* You are pregnant or breastfeeding
* A baby under 6 months has scabies
* You are still itching more than 2 weeks after finishing your course of treatment
* The rash becomes sore and starts to ooze.
What you can do your self
For best results, start scabies treatment as soon as the symptoms appear. This may be anything up to 6 weeks after infestation, and the itching can last for several weeks.
* Use a cream or lotion for treating scabies (see DRUG REMEDIES, below).
* You can relieve itching with a skin cream or lotion and/or take an antihistamine if itching is making it difficult for you to sleep (see DRUG REMEDIES, below).
* 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. Items that cannot be washed easily can be placed in a sealed plastic bag for at least 72 hours, which will kill the mites.
DRUG REMEDIES
Scabies lotions (see p 188) usually contain the insecticide substances malathion or premethrin. Ask your pharmacist to suggest a suitable preparation. Apply the treatment to your entire body, including your scalp, face, ears, and neck. Trim your nails short and apply it underneath your nail tips. Permethrin preparations should be left on for 8-12 hours and malathion preparations for 24 hours before washing off. 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.
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