These medicines are often applied to all skin from the neck down. Infants and young children often need treatment for their scalp and face, too. A dermatologist will provide specific instructions to follow. Most medicine is applied at bedtime. The medicine is then washed off when the patient wakes up.
You may need to repeat this process one week later. Treating the skin more often than instructed can worsen the rash and itching. It is used to treat patients 2 months of age and older and women who are pregnant. Scabies that covers much of the body and crusted scabies often require stronger medicine. A patient with this type of scabies may receive a prescription for ivermectin. This medicine can be prescribed to children and patients who are HIV-positive. Some patients need only to take one dose, but many need to take two or three doses to cure scabies.
The pills are usually taken once every two weeks. When scabies infects many people at a nursing home, extended-care facility, and other institution, ivermectin may be prescribed to everyone who has a risk of catching scabies.
Treatment can get rid of the mites, eliminate symptoms such as itch, and treat an infection that has developed.
For the first few days to a week, the rash and itch can worsen during treatment. Within four weeks, your skin should heal. If your skin has not healed within 4 weeks, you may still have mites. Some people need to treat two or three times to get rid of the mites. However, unlike normal scabies, the rash associated with crusted scabies usually doesn't itch.
In crusted scabies, the increase in the number of mites causes thick, warty crusts to develop on the skin. It's often mistaken for psoriasis a skin condition that causes red, flaky, crusty patches of skin covered with silvery scales. Crusted scabies affects people with a weakened immune system the body's natural defence against infection and illness. This includes:. Research has found a healthy immune system appears to interrupt the reproductive cycle of the scabies mite. For example, most people with scabies will only have 5 to 15 mites on their body at any one time.
However, if you have a weakened immune system, the number of scabies mites can increase significantly. People with crusted scabies can have thousands or millions of scabies mites on their body at any one time. Because of the high number of scabies mites, crusted scabies is highly contagious. Even minimal physical contact with a person with crusted scabies, or with their bed linen or clothes, can lead to infection.
However, contact with someone with crusted scabies will only lead to the normal type of scabies in people with a healthy immune system. Crusted scabies can be treated using insecticide creams or a medicine called ivermectin, which is taken by swallowing a tablet. Ivermectin kills the mites by stopping their nervous system working. Home Illnesses and conditions Skin, hair and nails Scabies. Scabies See all parts of this guide Hide guide parts 1. About scabies 2.
Symptoms of scabies 3. Causes of scabies 4. Diagnosing scabies 5. Treating scabies 6. Complications of scabies. About scabies Scabies is a contagious skin condition caused by tiny mites that burrow into the skin.
Scabies mites Scabies mites are called Sarcoptes scabiei. How scabies is spread Scabies is usually spread through prolonged periods of skin-to-skin contact with an infected person, or through sexual contact.
Scabies outbreaks Scabies is widespread in densely populated areas with limited access to medical care, and is most common in the following tropical and subtropical areas: Africa Central and South America northern and central Australia Caribbean Islands India southeast Asia In developed countries, scabies outbreaks can sometimes occur in places where there are lots of people, such as schools, nurseries and care homes.
Treating scabies Visit your GP if you think you have scabies. Complications of scabies Scabies can sometimes lead to a secondary skin infection if your skin becomes irritated and inflamed through excessive itching. Symptoms of scabies The main symptoms of scabies are intense itching and a rash in areas of the body where the mites have burrowed. The rash The scabies rash consists of tiny red spots. In adults, burrow marks often appear in the following areas: the folds of skin between fingers and toes the palms of the hands the soles and sides of the feet the wrists the elbows around the nipples in women around the genital area in men The rash usually affects the whole body, apart from the head.
The following areas can be particularly affected: the underarm area around the waist the inside of the elbow the lower buttocks the lower legs the soles of the feet the knees the shoulder blades the female genital area the groin around the ankles Elderly people, young children and those with a low immune system immunocompromised may also develop a rash on their head and neck.
In infants and young children, burrow marks tend to appear in different places on their body, including on the: face head neck scalp palms of the hands soles of the feet Scabies mites leave small red blotches and silver-coloured lines on the skin.
Causes of scabies Scabies is a skin condition caused by the parasite Sarcoptes scabiei. The scabies mite life cycle A scabies infestation starts when a female mite burrows into your skin. How scabies is spread Scabies mites can't fly or jump, which means they can only move from one human body to another if 2 people have direct and prolonged physical contact. For example, scabies mites can be transmitted by: holding hands with an infected person for a prolonged period of time having sex with an infected person sharing clothing, towels and bedding with an infected person although this is rare It's unlikely that scabies will be transmitted through brief physical contact, such as shaking hands or hugging.
Diagnosing scabies Your GP should be able to diagnose scabies from the appearance of your skin, and by looking for the burrow marks of the Sarcoptes scabiei mite. Ink test The burrows of scabies mites can be identified by using an ink test. Check up Visit your GP if you think you have scabies. Sexual health clinics Some sexual health clinics operate on a walk-in basis.
You'll also be asked about your sexual history, including: when you last had sex whether you used condoms whether you've had an STI in the past whether you're taking any medication If you're attending a clinic for scabies, you may also be offered tests for STIs. Treating scabies See your GP immediately if you have scabies and you haven't had a previous infection. Lotions and creams Lotions and creams are commonly used to treat scabies. Applying the cream or lotion To prevent reinfection, all members of your household and any close contacts, including recent sexual partners see diagnosing scabies for further details , should be treated at the same time as you, even if they don't have any symptoms.
You should also follow the advice outlined below. Read the patient leaflet that comes with the cream or lotion for details of where to apply it.
Some products need to be applied to the whole body, including the scalp and face, whereas others must only be applied from the neck down Pay particular attention to difficult-to-reach areas, such as your back, the soles of your feet, in between your fingers and toes, under fingernails, and on your genitals Use a cotton bud or old toothbrush to apply the treatment under fingernails and toenails. Put the cotton bud or toothbrush in a bag and throw it away afterwards Leave the treatment on your skin for 8 to 24 hours depending on the preparation used before washing it off thoroughly.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding how long to leave the cream or lotion on for Reapply the cream or lotion immediately to any areas of skin that are washed during the period of application Wash bed linen, nightwear and towels after the first application Repeat the treatment process 7 days after the first application to ensure it's successful.
The second application will ensure any mites hatched from existing eggs are killed Contact your GP if the itching hasn't improved after 2 weeks of treatment and you notice new burrows on your skin. You should also speak to your GP or pharmacist if you experience any persistent side effects. Infection control On the day you first apply the cream or lotion, you should wash all bed linen, nightwear and towels at a temperature above 50C F.
Children and adults can return to school or work after the first treatment has been completed. Itchiness Your GP should be able to prescribe treatments, such as a mild steroid cream, to reduce the itchiness.
Visit your GP if you're still experiencing itchiness 6 weeks after completing your treatment. Complications of scabies A secondary infection and crusted scabies are 2 possible complications of scabies. Secondary infection Repeatedly scratching itchy skin caused by scabies may break the skin's surface. Crusted scabies Crusted scabies, also known as Norwegian scabies, is a more severe form of scabies where thousands or even millions of scabies mites are present.
This includes: the very young people with brain disorders neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's disease people with Down's syndrome pregnant women elderly people people with a condition that affects their immune system, such as HIV or AIDs people who are taking steroids to treat other medical conditions people who are having chemotherapy treatment Research has found a healthy immune system appears to interrupt the reproductive cycle of the scabies mite.
Tweet Click here to share this page on Twitter This will open a new window. Print Click here to print this page This will open your print options in a new window. Source: NHS 24 - Opens in new browser window. There have been some studies that suggest that neem is effective in treating scabies because it kills the mites.
One study tested the effects of neem on dogs. Most of the dogs were cured of scabies within 2 weeks of consistently using shampoo that contained neem. The dogs that did not fully recover saw big improvements in the total number of mites left in their skin. A single study showed that clove oil was effective in treating scabies in a group of rabbits and pigs.
Other oils tested did not perform as well as clove oil. Again, this is a case where additional studies need to be done to fully test whether or not clove oil is effective on scabies when the mites occur in humans. Cayenne pepper has not been proven effective in treating scabies. Nevertheless, some people believe that it is an effective treatment against the mites. According to one study , capsaicin, a compound found in cayenne pepper, desensitizes the skin when it is applied directly.
This can help alleviate some of the pain and itchiness associated with scabies. Creams with capsaicin are available to purchase online. Speak to a doctor before using these products. Little evidence supports the effectiveness of turmeric in treating scabies. However, some people claim that it is effective in alleviating the symptoms. Treating the symptoms will not stop or cure the infestation, so other methods of treatment will still be required.
Zinc is not a direct treatment for scabies. Instead, people recommend using zinc to help fight off secondary infections that may result from the open skin wounds that can result from a person scratching.
Though not a direct treatment for the infection, an individual should wash any clothing, bedding, or other fabric that has come in contact with them or their skin if they have scabies. This will remove mites hiding in the fabric and help prevent them spreading to other areas of their body or other individuals. Borax or sodium borate is controversial at best.
It is mostly used in household cleaning products, such as laundry washes. Though it may kill the mites, bleach is a harsh chemical and should always be diluted and treated with great care. Again, it should only be used as a cleaning product and should not come into contact with the skin itself. Similarly to washing clothes, vacuuming the house will not cure the infestation that is affecting an individual. However, vacuuming up any mites that could be in floor coverings will help prevent scabies from spreading to other people.
Much has been written about apple cider vinegar, and some believe it may be effective in treating scabies. There is little evidence to back up the claims, however. Anyone in direct contact with someone who has scabies is at risk of developing an infestation.
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