Scabies

Info: Scabies is a highly contagious skin disease caused by a mite too small to see with the naked eye. The mite burrows just beneath the outer layer of skin and causes itching.

Signs & Symptoms: Some people have a widespread, red scaly rash and others have almost no visible sign of infection. The most common symptom is a rash that itches intensely, especially at night. The rash can be anywhere on your body but is usually on the hands, breasts, genital area, waistline, armpits and feet in children.

Prevention: Scabies is difficult to prevent if you come into contact with an infected person or environment. Personal hygiene and keeping a clean enviroment may be helpful. Anybody can get scabies. Scabies is spread from one person to another by close physical contact. Family members, children at school and sexual partners can spread scabies. Everyone living with a person who has scabies needs to be treated.

Treatment: A topical prescription medication is most commonly used to treat scabies. Proper application, along with washing clothing, towels and bed linens in hot water, should get rid of the mites. Everyone in the household should be treated at the same time. Your doctor will prescribe Elimite (permethrin) 5% cream. Leave the cream on overnight for 8-12 hours. Reapply the cream immediately if you wash any treated area during that time. Elimite is effective at treating scabies, although itching and a rash often persists up to 3 weeks following treatment. One treatment usually cures the condition and most people are no longer contagious. Your doctor may ask you to re-treat yourself in one week. If you still have itching one month after treatment, call your doctor.