Scabies are mites too small to be seen with the unaided eye. They live on and just under the skin in burrows. The burrows and feces can cause intense itching. Some people seem more susceptible to scabies than others in the same household. People usually become symptomatic from a few days to six weeks after infection. Any area of open skin can be infected, especially in younger people, but on older children and adults the mite like the hands, under the arms and around the belt line. The mite is passed on clothing, bedding or by skin-to-skin contact. Diagnosis is sometimes made by seeing mites under the microscope from skin scrapings, but scabies is more commonly diagnosed from the typical rash, itch, and/or history of exposure.
Treatment of scabies involves applying medication as directed AND disinfecting clothing and bedding used by the infected person or people. Usually the medication treatment needs to be repeated in a week.
Medical treatment usually means applying Elemite or Nix or other permethrin containing cream or liquid all over the body except the face and hair. After 8-12 hours the person should take a bath or shower, and with soap wash all the medication off. Other medications used include Eurax applied several times over two days before washing it off. Also, using sulphur ointment applied to the skin daily for three days is effective. All of these medications are by prescription. Clean clothes, clean sheets and clean jacket should be used AFTER treatment with medication.
Sometimes even after the mites are dead there is a lot of itching for a week or so. Using cortisone or other anti-itch treatment is effective at partially relieving the discomfort.
Possibly infected clothing, bedding and frequently held stuffed animals or pillows should be washed or stored in a plastic bag for a week. Mites die if they donšt have contact with people for just a few days. All people in the household should be treated at the same time as oftentimes people have the mites for several weeks before developing symptoms. Bathing daily with soap and water scrub may help prevent the spread of scabies.
Treatment of scabies infections is a lot of work.
Ted Humphry, M.D. 822-2441
this information last updated 09/03