What is scabies?
Scabies are tiny mites that burrow into your skin, usually through your hands and then spread around the body. They spread by prolonged close contact, most commonly hand holding for long periods of time. The main symptoms of scabies are itching, scratching, rash and aggravation of existing skin conditions such as eczema.
How is scabies treated?
Scabies are usually treated with permethrin cream or lotion which is applied to the whole body, including the scalp and face. Some other treatments are only applied from the neck down. It is important to read the leaflet that comes with your treatment. Remember to include awkward places such as the back, soles of the feet, between fingers and toes, under fingernails, and the genitals. Pay special attention to the areas where mite tunnels (burrows) most commonly occur. That is, in between the fingers, the front of the wrists and elbows, beneath the breasts, the armpits and around the nipples in women.
How much treatment is required?
Treatment is applied and left on for 8-12 hours (usually overnight) it is then washed off. This process should be repeated one week later. An adult needs at least 30 g of cream or 100 ml of lotion to cover the whole body. So, for two applications you will need at least 60 g of cream or 200 ml of lotion per adult.
Precautions
- Children and young people should remain absent from nursery/school until the first application of treatment has been completed.
- Treatment will be required to be reapplied to areas following washing (such as hands)
- Breastfeeding mothers should wash off the lotion or cream from the nipples before breastfeeding, and re-apply treatment after the feed.
- Mittens/socks should be used on babies to avoid them sucking the cream/lotion off their hands and feet.
- Clothes, towels and bed linen should be machine-washed at 50°C or above after the first application of treatment. Keep any items of clothing that cannot be washed, in plastic bags for at least 72 hours to contain the mites until they die. Alternative options to kill any mites on clothes and linen are ironing the item with a hot iron, dry cleaning, or putting items in a dryer on the hot cycle for 10-30 minutes. It is not necessary to fumigate living areas or furniture, or to treat pets.
- Some people who develop a secondary skin infection may also need antibiotics. If you suspect this is the case, you should consult your doctor or specialist nurse.
- Consult your doctor or specialist nurse if the itch persists longer than 4-6 weeks after treatment. Sometimes the first treatment does not work, and a different one is then needed.
Useful sources of information
For Further Information
Medicines Information Patient Helpline:
Tel: 0191 282 3016. Available 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays). This helpline is available for patients of the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals, to answer any questions they may have regarding their medicines.
Dermatology:
Tel: 0191 282 0098. Available 9:00am to 4:00pm, Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays).
Out-of-hours Advice:
Contact NHS 111 or visit your nearest NHS Walk-in Centre.
