Scabies

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Scabies rash and excoriation on the hand

Scabies mite, photomicrograph

Scabies mite, photomicrograph of the stool

Scabies mite, photomicrograph

Scabies mite, eggs, and stool photomicrograph

Scabies

Alternative Names:

Sarcoptes scabiei
Treatment:

The objective of treatment is to eliminate the infestation. There is no known home remedy. Prescription creams and lotions are applied all over the body. It may be necessary to treat the whole family or sexual partners of infected individuals, even if no symptoms are present.

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Many prescription products are available. The most commonly used cream is Elimite (permethrin). In difficult cases, an oral antibiotic called ivermectin may be used.

Itching may persist after treatment begins, but will disappear if treatment continues exactly as your health care provider prescribes. Itching can be minimized by cool soaks and calamine lotion. Your doctor may additionally recommend an oral antihistamine.

Expectations (prognosis):

Most cases of scabies can be cured and resolve without any long term problems.

Complications:

A secondary skin infection such as impetigo can occur because of intense scratching.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of scabies, or if someone with whom you have close (not necessarily sexual) contact has been diagnosed with scabies.