Other physical treatments for scabies
Note: you will still be itchy for a while after successful treatment
It is normal to take up to 2-3 weeks for the itch to go completely after the mites have been killed by treatment. A soothing cream such as crotamiton may help until the itch eases. An antihistamine medicine such as chlorpheniramine may also be useful to help you sleep if itching is a problem at night (particularly for children). A pharmacist can advise about these.
See a doctor if the itch persists longer than 2-3 weeks after treatment. Sometimes the first treatment does not work, and a different one is then needed. However, the common reasons why treatment fails, or for scabies to recur, are:
- the cream or lotion is not put on correctly for the full time, or
- a close contact is not treated at the same time, and the infection is passed back and forth.
Symptoms with a recurring infection
If you have previously had scabies, had it treated and cleared, and then get it again, the symptoms may be slightly different. The itch and rash tend to develop straight away. (As mentioned above, the itch and rash normally take 2-6 weeks to develop when you have a first infection.) This is because you are already sensitised to the mite from the original infection. So, your body reacts with the itch and rash much sooner than after a first infection.
© EMIS and PIP 2006 Updated: October 2006 PRODIGY Validated
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