What is Scabies?
Scabies is an infestation of the skin by the human itch mite, Sarcoptes scabiei. The microscopic scabies mite burrows into the upper layer of the skin where it lives and lays its eggs. The most common symptoms of scabies are intense itching and a pimple-like skin rash.
Scabies is contagious and spreads quickly through close physical contact in a family, child care group, school class, nursing home, or prison. Because of its contagious nature, doctors often recommend treatment for entire families or contact groups.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms are:
- Intense Itching: Especially severe at night.
- Rash: A pimple-like rash, tiny blisters, or scales.
- Burrows: Sometimes visible on the skin as tiny, raised, and crooked grayish-white or skin-colored lines.
Common sites for the rash include the webbing between fingers, wrists, elbows, armpits, nipples, waist, and genital area.
Scabies Treatment
Scabies treatment involves eliminating the infestation with prescription medications called scabicides. Our doctors will prescribe a cream or lotion that needs to be applied to the entire body, from the neck down, and left on for several hours.
- The most common treatment is Permethrin cream 5%.
It is crucial that all members of the household and close contacts are treated at the same time, even if they do not have symptoms, to prevent re-infestation. Bedding, clothing, and towels used by the infested person should be decontaminated by washing in hot water and drying on a hot cycle, or by sealing them in a plastic bag for at least 72 hours.