Treating For Scabies Skin Disease

What Is Scabies?

Scabies also called sarcoptic mange Is a contagious, intensely itchy skin condition caused by a tiny, burrowing mite.Scabies is contagious and spreads quickly through close physical contact in a family, school or nursing home.The most common symptom of scabies is intense itching in the area where the mites burrow.Scabies can be treated by killing the mites and their eggs with medication that’s applied from the neck down and left on for eight hours. The mites can also be killed using oral medication.

What Are Treatment for scabies skin disease

Scabies treatment involves eliminating the infestation with medications. Several creams and lotions are available with a doctor�s prescription.

Your doctor will likely ask you to apply the medication to your whole body, from the neck down, and leave the medication on for at least eight to 10 hours. Some treatments require a second application, and treatments need to be repeated if new burrows and a rash appear.

Because scabies spreads so easily, your doctor will likely recommend treatment for all household members and other close contacts, even if they show no signs of scabies infestation.

About scabies
Scabies is a contagious skin condition caused by tiny mites that burrow into the skin.

The main symptom of scabies is intense itching that�s worse at night. It also causes a skin rash on areas where the mites have burrowed.

Read more about the symptoms of scabies.

Scabies mites
Scabies mites are called Sarcoptes scabiei. They feed using their mouths and front legs to burrow into the outer layer of skin (epidermis), where they lay eggs.

After 3 to 4 days, the baby mites (larvae) hatch and move to the surface of the skin, where they mature into adults.

Scabies like warm places, such as skin folds, between the fingers, under fingernails, or around the buttock or breast creases. They can also hide under watch straps, bracelets or rings.

Read more about the life cycle of the scabies mite.

How scabies is spread
Scabies is usually spread through prolonged periods of skin-to-skin contact with an infected person, or through sexual contact.

It�s also possible � but rare � for scabies to be passed on by sharing clothing, towels and bedding with someone who�s infected.

It can take up to 8 weeks for the symptoms of scabies to appear after the initial infection. This is known as the incubation period

Medications commonly prescribed for scabies include:

• Permethrin cream (Elimite). Permethrin is a topical cream that contains chemicals that kill scabies mites and their eggs. It is generally considered safe for adults, pregnant women, and children ages 2 months and older.
• Lindane lotion. This medication � also a chemical treatment � is recommended only for people who can�t tolerate other approved treatments or for whom other treatments didn�t work. This medication isn�t safe for children younger than age 10 years, women who are pregnant or nursing, or anyone who weighs less than 110 pounds (50 kilograms).
• Crotamiton (Eurax). This medication is available as a cream or a lotion. It�s applied once a day for two days. The safety of this medication hasn�t been established in children, adults 65 and older, or women who are pregnant or nursing. Frequent treatment failure has been reported with crotamiton.
• Ivermectin (Stromectol). Doctors may prescribe this oral medication for people with altered immune systems, for people who have crusted scabies, or for people who don�t respond to the prescription lotions and creams. Ivermectin isn�t recommended for women who are pregnant or nursing, or for children who weigh less than 33 pounds (15 kilograms).

Although these medications kill the mites promptly, you may find that the itching doesn�t stop entirely for several weeks.

Doctors may prescribe other topical medications, such as sulfur compounded in petrolatum, for people who don�t respond to or can�t use these medications.