WHAT IS SCABIES
Scabies is an intense itchy rash caused by the mite sarcoptes scabiei. The female mite burrows under the skin and lays her eggs, often in natural creases in the skin such as hands, webbing between fingers, wrist, elbows, armpits and waistline. In men they typically appear in the genitals while women can have them around the nipple. The affected person will usually have 10-12 adult mites. After mating the male dies and the female will lay 3 eggs daily for her lifetime of 1-2 months. It takes 10-14 days for the development of egg to adult mite.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
As the mite burrows under the skin and lays the eggs there is an intense itch. This appears on the skin as tiny grey irregular tracks about 5mm in length. The scabies mite can look like a pinpoint at the end of the slightly raised burrow.
After several days the larvae hatch and move around the hair follicle, a person can become sensitized to the mites and their products causing the scabies rash. On the skin this will present as tiny red bumps on the limbs and trunk, it is intensely itchy and is usually worse at night, after a hot shower or after exercise when the skin gets hot.
How does it spread?
Scabies is nearly always spread from skin to skin contact, often occurring when sharing a bed with an infected person. The scabies can survive away from the skin for up to 4 days so it is possible to catch scabies from bedding.
Myths and misconceptions
- Scabies are not caught from animals, although they can produce bites on the skin, they will not infest human skin
- Scabies is not caused by poor hygiene and anyone can catch them through contact
Norwegian Scabies
Norwegian scabies is a severe form of scabies in which thousands to millions of mites infest the skin compared to 10-12 for a normal case. This results in an intense itch and crusting of the skin. Its usually only affects people with poor immune systems or a delay in treatment.
Treatments and preventative measures
There are several treatments available for scabies at the pharmacy.
Follow the directions and advice from the pharmacist as they can vary depending on the products used.
Generally the cream or lotion is applied on the whole body from the neck down, the face usually does not need to be treated in adults but may need to be in babies or the elderly.
It’s important to wash and dry the skin well before treatment is applied.
Apply the lotion or cream thoroughly using a brush for the skin under the fingernails and pay particular attention to the buttocks and other skin folds.
Reapply creams to hands after washing.
The treatment should be usually left on for 8-10 hours. Typically, treatment is left on overnight.
A second treatment should be applied after after seven days to ensure that all scabies and eggs are killed and do not return.
After treating the patient, bed linen, clothes and towels should be washed in hot soapy water and if possible dried in a hot clothes drier and/or ironed. If it is not possible to wash items in hot water, items can be placed in a sealed bag for one week. This method may be used for children’s toys and hairbrushes.
Carpeted floors and upholstered furniture should be vacuumed and all areas cleaned with normal household products. Fumigation is not required.
All family members and close contacts should be treated at the same time, even if no itch is present. This prevents spread or infestation.
Signs and symptoms of scabies can persist for up to 6 weeks after successful treatment, because dead mites and products may remain on the skin. If this occurs antihistamines or mild cortisone creams can be used to treat the itch.
*Seek medical advice if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
