What is the treatment for scabies?
The usual treatment is a either a cream containing permethrin or a lotion containing malathion. These kill the mite. You can buy them from pharmacies. You can also get them on prescription. They are easy to apply and normally work well if used properly. Re-apply the same treatment seven days after the first application. This helps to make sure that all the mites are killed.
Follow the instructions on the packet. The following is a general guide giving tips for success.
- You need to treat all the skin of your body (including the back, soles of the feet, between fingers and toes, under fingernails, scalp, neck, face, ears, and genitals).
- 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.
- A small paintbrush is a good way of applying a lotion (but use cotton wool for sensitive areas such as the penis). A water based lotion is preferable as alcohol based lotions may sting.
- Apply cream or lotion to cool dry skin (not after a hot bath).
- The cream or lotion should be left on for the full recommended time. Depending on which one you use, this may be between 8 and 24 hours.
- Children should stay off school until the first application of treatment has been completed.
- If you wash your hands or any other part of your body during the treatment period, you should re-apply the cream or lotion to the washed areas.
- Clothes, towels, and bed linen should be machine washed (at 50 degree Celsius or above) after the first application of treatment. This is to prevent re-infestation and transmission to others. Items that cannot be washed can be kept in plastic bags for at least 72 hours to contain the mites until they die.
- Tell the pharmacist or doctor if treatment is for pregnant or breast feeding women, or babies under 6 months.
- Put mittens on babies to stop them licking the cream or lotion off their hands.
- Some people who develop a secondary skin infection may also need antibiotics.
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Adam, about 1 year
hi there i think i might be infected with these "mites" it started with a rash on my hand now i9 have it on my arms, the insides of my legs, my belly and my genitiles! I have been worrying tht i may have an std cos i have had big red spots appearon my penis is this one of the symptoms of Scabies?
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cooke, about 1 year
thank you 4 your advice on this matter i wanted some info 4 a friend found it most helpfull thank you
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