scabies treatment

Scabies is a highly contagious skin condition caused by the human itch mite, which is also known as Sarcoptes scabiei. This microscopic mite spreads scabies by burrowing into the upper layer of your skin where it lays eggs. Anyone can get it, frequently from close body and skin-to-skin contact.¹

To eliminate these mites and relieve symptoms like itching and a pimple-like rash, you should see a provider for treatment as soon as possible. Even if you don’t have scabies, you may have a skin condition or bug bite that needs treatment.

For your convenience, we accept most major insurance. To verify that your insurance is in-network, visit the Plan Your Visit page. We also offer a discount to those patients who choose to pay in full for their visit at the time of service. Self-pay services are $199.

What are the Symptoms of Scabies?¹

The most common symptoms of scabies are:

• Intense itching, most often at night
• Pimple-like skin rash
• Thin, grayish-white or skin-colored burrows on the skin

Infants and very young children may experience a rash on their face, head, neck, palms and soles of the feet.

These symptoms most often appear:

• Between the fingers
• In skin folds of the armpit, elbow, knee and wrist
• On the buttocks, genitals, nipples, shoulder blades and waist

Scabies may also crust over if they go untreated. When they do, they become very contagious.

How Are Scabies Transmitted?

While the first case of scabies often has no symptoms at the beginning, it can still be spread to others. Symptoms may take four to eight weeks to develop after an infestation.¹

Scabies are spread person-to-person by:¹

• Extended direct skin-to-skin contact with someone infected with scabies
• Sharing bedding, clothing or towels used by someone with scabies

Scabies can affect anyone, regardless of age, hygiene or living conditions, but are found most often near unhoused shelters or encampments.

How Do You Treat Scabies?

If you believe that you have scabies, see a provider immediately. They may prescribe a scabicide such as permethrin cream, benzyl benzoate or sulfur ointment. Apply the medication to clean skin and follow the directions for how long to leave it before washing. They may also prescribe an oral medication. Complete all of your medication as prescribed.²

You can return to work or children can return to day care or school the day after treatment is completed.¹

Itching from scabies is due to you being allergic to mites. It may continue for a few weeks after all of the mites and their eggs are killed. You can use an over-the-counter lotion, such as calamine or tea tree oil, to sooth your skin.³

If you have young children infected with scabies:²

• Apply scabicide lotion or cream to their entire body, face, head and neck.
• Keep in mind that not all scabicides used on adults can be used on children. Don’t share your prescription medication with them and ask your provider for a separate medication for your child.

How do you prevent others from getting scabies?²

• Avoid direct skin-to-skin contact until treatment is finished
• Dry-clean or seal items in a plastic bag for at least 72 hours if they can’t be washed at home (the mites that cause scabies can’t survive for more than three days away from human skin)
• If you have had direct skin-to-skin contact with anyone in the last two months, inform them
• Vacuum all carpets and make sure to either throw away the bag or clean the vacuum after
• Wash any infected bedding, clothing and towels in hot water and dry in a hot dryer

If you are treating scabies, you should never use these items to treat yourself:¹

• Insecticide sprays and fumigants
• Over-the-counter skin products that aren’t tested and approved to treat scabies

If you experience the following, you should visit your provider for retreatment:³

• A new rash or burrows appear
• Itching continues two to four weeks later
• Skin sores or a skin infection develops

What are the Common Myths and Misconceptions of Scabies?

It’s important to know the truth about scabies. Here are some common health myths about this skin issue:

Scabies is caused by poor hygiene.

False. Contracting scabies is not a sign of poor hygiene. Anyone can get scabies.⁴

Humans can catch scabies from pets.

False. Mites cannot live on pets. That means that you can’t get infected with scabies from your dog or cat.⁴

Scabies is difficult to treat.

False. In the past, scabies was treated with lindane, which was not always effective. Today, permethrin cream is prescribed and it is very effective in treating scabies. Also, unlike lindane, it is safe for all ages as well as pregnant or breastfeeding patients.⁵

Only children get scabies.

False. Adults and children can both be infected with scabies.

You can only get scabies once.

False. You can be reinfected by scabies.

Bed bugs cause scabies.

False. The mites that cause scabies must feed and breed in human skin. Bed bugs don’t do this. Instead, they feed on blood from humans or animals usually while they are sleeping.³

What Causes Scabies?

There are several causes of scabies:⁴

Direct Skin-to-Skin Contact: Hugging, extended sexual contact and sleeping near someone who has scabies can lead to you being infected. The mites can easily spread from person-to-person in close quarters, such as schools, nursing homes, daycare centers, unhoused shelters and prisons.

Sharing Personal Items: Sharing bedding, clothing and towels with someone who has scabies can pass on these skin mites. It’s important to not share any of these items until treatment is complete.

Environment: Scabies can also be spread by furniture or carpeting that is infested by skin mites. This is rare, as they don’t survive away from human skin for many days.⁴

How Do You Manage the Symptoms of Scabies?

The itch that comes with scabies can be very uncomfortable. You should avoid itching, however, as it can spread the infection from your fingers to other parts of your body.

Instead, you can manage your symptoms by:

• Bathing the infected area in an oatmeal bath
• Taking a cool shower (a warm shower will dry the skin and increase itching)
• Taking over-the-counter antihistamines such as Allegra, Benadryl, Claritin or Zyrtec
• Using calamine lotion on infected areas

Always make sure to thoroughly wash your hands with soap and warm water after touching your scabies. If you don’t have access to soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.

Why is it Important to Treat Scabies?

If left untreated, scabies can cause several unpleasant things to happen:3

• It could lead to a secondary infection, such as cellulitis or impetigo
• You can easily spread scabies to others
• You could have a chronic or severe infestation of scabies
• You will develop painful itching

How to Wash Fabric When Diagnosed with Scabies

To best handle the outbreak of scabies in your home, you should follow these instructions for all household members at the same time as whomever is infected:¹

• Wash all clothing and bedding in a washing machine with hot water and laundry detergent at a temperature higher than 122°F for at least ten minutes, then dry it on the hot cycle.
• Can't wash or dry clean an item, such as stuffed animals or toys? Store it in a closed plastic bag for several days. This will kill any mites or their eggs.

If you have scabies, there’s nothing to be embarrassed about. It’s a common issue and one that simply needs treatment. Just schedule your visit to MedExpress online or walk in for care any time from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week.

References:

1 CDC. About Scabies. Last updated February 23, 2024. Accessed May 31, 2024.

2 CDC. Treatment of Scabies. Last updated January 12, 2024. Accessed May 31, 2024.

3 Healthline. Scabies Bites: Have I Been Bitten? Relieving Pesky Bites. Last updated March 8, 2019. Accessed May 31, 2024.

4 Dermatologist.org. Understanding Scabies: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment. Last updated October 6, 2023. Accessed May 31, 2024.

5 Clinical Advisor. Debunking the Myths Surrounding Scabies. Last updated January 20, 2010. Accessed May 31, 2024.