Your activity: 2 p.v.

Patient education: Scabies (The Basics)

Patient education: Scabies (The Basics)

What is scabies? — Scabies is a condition that makes your skin very itchy. It happens when tiny insects called "mites" burrow under your skin to lay their eggs.

How did I get scabies? — You probably caught scabies from someone else who has it. The condition spreads easily between people who are in close contact. This can happen through sexual activity, or just between people who live together. It is not usually spread by quick contact with another person, like a hug or handshake.

Are there symptoms besides itching? — Yes. The main symptom is itching, but there are other symptoms. People with scabies usually get little bumps or blisters on their skin (picture 1 and picture 2). Sometimes the bumps are hard to see. Some people even notice tiny tunnels in their skin where the mites have buried themselves.

These are the body parts that are most often affected by scabies (figure 1):

The fingers and webbing between the fingers

The skin folds around the wrists, elbows, and knees

The armpits

The area around the nipples

The waist

The penis and scrotum

The lower buttocks and upper thighs

The sides and bottoms of the feet

Should I see a doctor or nurse? — Yes, see your doctor or nurse. If you have scabies, they can give you medicine to get rid of it. Scratching your skin a lot can lead to infection.

How is scabies treated? — Your doctor or nurse can give you a prescription for a medicine that kills the mites that cause scabies. This might be a medicine you put on the skin or a pill. You must use the medicine exactly the way the doctor or nurse tells you to. Otherwise it might not work.

There are several different medicines that can kill the mites that cause scabies. Permethrin cream (brand names: Elimite, Acticin) and ivermectin pills (brand name: Stromectol) are 2 medicines that are often used.

If you are being treated for scabies, the doctor or nurse will probably want the people who live with you to be treated, too. They might be carrying the mite that causes scabies, even if they have no symptoms.

When you start treatment, wash all the clothes you and others in your home wore in the last 4 to 5 days in hot water. Then dry them in a dryer on high heat. You should also wash any bedclothes (sheets and blankets) or towels people in your home have touched. If your child is getting treated, wash their stuffed animals, too. Dry-cleaning will also get rid of scabies mites. Any bedding, clothing, or towels that you cannot wash or dry-clean should be placed in a sealed plastic bag for at least 3 days. Scabies mites usually die without contact with human skin after a few days.

What can I do to stop the itching? — You can take medicines called antihistamines. These are the medicines people often take for allergies.

Itching can last for several weeks, even after the scabies mite is gone. Your doctor or nurse might suggest you use a cream with a medicine called a steroid to help with the itching. These steroid medicines relieve itching and swelling.

When can my child go back to school? — Your child can go back to school after 1 day of treatment.

Some people get a severe kind of scabies — Older adults and people with HIV or AIDS, cancer, or other conditions can get a severe type of scabies called "crusted scabies." Crusted scabies causes large, crusty patches or bumps to form on the skin. It spreads more easily than regular scabies. People with crusted scabies often get it on their head, hands, and feet. They usually need to take pills to get rid of scabies.

More on this topic

Patient education: Scabies (Beyond the Basics)

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Jan 02, 2023.
This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider's examination and assessment of a patient's specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms ©2023 UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates and/or licensors. All rights reserved.
Topic 15464 Version 8.0