Scabies
Scabies is a very itchy skin condition caused by tiny mites that burrow into the skin. It spreads easily through close skin contact and shared bedding or clothes, so whole families, schools and crowded homes are often affected. It is not dangerous and is easily treated, but everyone in the home must be treated at the same time.
Symptoms
- Intense itching, worse at night
- Small red bumps or blisters
- Thin, wavy lines on the skin (burrows)
- Common between the fingers, on the wrists, elbows, armpits, waist and genitals
- In babies: also on the palms, soles, face and scalp
- Sores from scratching that can become infected
Causes
- Scabies mites (Sarcoptes scabiei) that live in the skin
- Close skin-to-skin contact with an infected person
- Sharing beds, blankets, towels or clothes
- Crowded living conditions
Prevention
- Treat everyone in the household at the same time, even those without itching
- Wash bedding, towels and clothes in hot water and dry them in the sun
- Items that cannot be washed can be sealed in a bag for 3 days
- Avoid sharing beds and clothes with an infected person until treated
Treatment
- A scabies cream or lotion such as permethrin, applied to the whole body from the neck down and washed off after the time on the label
- Repeat the treatment after 7 days
- Treat all family members and close contacts at the same time
- Itching can continue for 2 to 4 weeks after successful treatment
- Some people need tablets prescribed by a doctor
- Use medicines as advised by a doctor or pharmacist, especially for babies and pregnant women
Common questions
Why is everyone in the family treated?
Family members can carry the mites for weeks before they start to itch. If only one person is treated, the others will pass it back again.
Is scabies a sign of being dirty?
No. Anyone can get scabies, even very clean people. It spreads through close contact, not because of poor hygiene.